Century-old building in downtown Sacramento could become hotel, restaurant. What’s next?
Developers want to transform a century-old bank building in downtown Sacramento into a new hotel and restaurant — but it’ll keep its ties to the city’s roots.
Hume Development filed an application in January to convert the seven-story Capital National Bank building at 700 J St. into a 107-room hotel, according to the city.
The corner building also goes by the address of 1007 Seventh St.
Located in the Merchant Street Historic District, the structure neighbors Golden 1 Center and Downtown Commons.
Initial blueprints for the hotel were created by architectural firm HRGA. The company is known for its work on local modern buildings, such as the Ice Box apartments and Hyatt Centric Hotel in downtown Sacramento.
The Capitol National Bank building is easily recognizable for its bronze-framed windows and granite exterior, adorned with terracotta figures on the sixth floor, HRGA said on its website.
“Having served as office space in recent years, the building could be another destination of downtown Sacramento, bridging the gap between past and present,” the firm said.
What is the Capital National Bank building?
The Capital National Bank building was constructed between 1915 and 1916.
In the 1900s, Seventh Street was Sacramento’s banking center, according to the Merchant Street Historic District plan.
“Grand banking halls designed by prominent local architects (lined) the street,” the plan said.
The former National Bank of D.O. Mills and Company stood at the northwest corner of J and 7th streets, diagonally to Capital National Bank, according to the plan.
Merchant’s National Bank was built on Seventh Street in 1921. It continues to operate at that site under the name Umpqua Bank, after being acquired by Columbia Banking System Inc. in 2021.
Rudolf A. Herold designed the Capital National Bank building, known for its intricate exterior style.
“The terracotta nudes ringing the sixth floor, referred to at the time as ‘modern heroic figures,’ were controversial at the time of the bank’s $250,000 construction in 1916,” according to Calisphere, a digital library with resources from across California.
Herold was also the architectural designer for Sacramento’s City Hall building and the Masonic Temple.
It was unclear Wednesday when Capital National Bank closed, or when the building space was leased out for offices.
The bank building was added to the Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources in 1982.
What’s next for downtown Sacramento building?
If the proposal to convert the Capital National Bank building into a hotel is approved, most of the renovations will be inside the structure, HRGA said.
“By maintaining the exterior’s architectural authenticity and creatively repurposing interior spaces,” the firm said, “the project not only pays homage to Sacramento’s rich history but also introduces a unique blend of heritage and modern luxury to the heart of downtown.”
The renovations include creating 107 luxury hotel rooms on the second to seventh floors and a mezzanine level with a spa and meeting spaces.
The lobby entry will be facing Seventh Street.
The hotel will also feature a restaurant, banquet hall and fitness area adjacent to the lobby, according to building plans.
The city website shows that the project is currently in the application phase.
City officials, Hume Development and HRGA had not responded to requests for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.
What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
