Block 7
A mixed-use district bringing housing, activity, and public life back to downtown Redding
Project Type: Mixed Use
Location: Redding, CA
Scope: Mixed-Use Master Planning
Block 7 transforms a run-down parking structure into a lively new hub for downtown Redding. Encompassing five buildings across three city blocks, the project weaves together affordable housing, office space, retail, and parkland to create a walkable, net-zero neighborhood.
Retail at the ground floor, shaded courtyards, and pedestrian-friendly streets link the housing directly to the surrounding blocks and public spaces—creating a network of livable, urban scale development at the core of the city.
Mixed-Income, Net-Zero Units
The project includes 78 affordable apartments in three buildings, offered at a range of income levels. The housing is designed to be net-zero energy, with high-efficiency systems, solar power, and simple design strategies like roof overhangs and shaded entries to reduce heat.
Retail at the Base
Each housing building includes retail space on the ground floor, helping bring life and services to the neighborhood while supporting long-term economic stability.
Durable, Honest Materials
The architecture takes cues from Redding’s industrial past, using durable materials and straightforward detailing. Exposed structure and a restrained palette give the project a practical, contemporary character that’s built to last.
Connected Open Space
Two pocket parks are carved into the housing block, offering semi-private outdoor space for residents. These green areas also act as buffers between the buildings and the street.
Across the street, Whistle Stop Park transforms a former parking lot into a vibrant public space that offers shade, comfort, and community in the heart of Redding
Custom Steel Pavilion
The park’s central structure is made from a series of stacked, weathered steel ribs that form a shaded open-air pavilion. The shape and material echo the layered landscape and historic rail lines that give the park its name.
Shasta College: an adaptable hub for administration, outreach, and nontraditional learning
The Shasta College building serves as a civic anchor within Block 7, bringing daily activity and public-facing programs into the district. Located next to Whistle Stop Park, it connects education, work, and community life within the downtown neighborhood.
Programmed for Complexity
The building supports a layered set of uses—from executive leadership to state-funded programs for the broader community. The plan balances privacy, accessibility, and adaptability across a highly variable set of users and schedules.
A Connected Downtown Neighborhood
Together, the pieces of Block 7 form a connected downtown neighborhood—where housing, education, retail, and public space support one another. By layering uses and prioritizing walkability, the project turns a formerly single-purpose site into a place designed for everyday life, shared activity, and long-term community value.
