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No, it’s not a new electric car to scribble on. It’s not a movie screening at our office. It’s not a park in a parking spot on J Street.

This time, it’s something somebody else is doing.

It’s one of Sacramento’s best-kept secrets in the urban core right now. And we think it’s cool enough to pass on the invitation to be some of the first to see it.

Good Things Speak for Themselves
Awhile ago, Ron Vrilakas showed us his plans for a small, 10-unit project he was working on in Oak Park. We were really impressed with the fundamental principles he was drawing on to build the project because they aligned with our own eco-urban sensibilities.

• Build it tight.
• Minimize the impact of the car.
• Create mixed-use opportunities.
• Invest in an “emerging” neighborhood.
• Add value to the community as it changes over time.
• Design with relationships in mind.
• Relate to the larger surrounding community both in scale and aesthetics.
• Make the “standard package” truly remarkable. The units have only one upgrade: talk about making it simple and straightforward! What you see is what you get!

If that’s not enough, let’s just say 7 of the 10 units have the coolest back patio door we’ve ever seen. We’re also jazzed that he decided at the last minute to upgrade all of the units to tank-less water heaters. And there’s not a single square foot of floorspace with (cough, cough) carpet.

So now, the project, 4th Avenue Lofts in Oak Park, is completely built and on the market.

But most people don’t know this.

Why So Hush-Hush?
In order to keep the prices low enough for first-time home-buyers, Ron’s been discreet about “marketing” the project. In fact, he isn’t even using a traditional sales team. Instead, he’s taking a more authentic approach: inviting select groups to come and see the project and connect with him first-hand.

It takes a lot of guts to ditch the traditional real-estate marketing methods, so in our book, he gets serious props for trying to make it more personal and real. And affordable.

Urban Pioneering (and Pizza and Beer)
This Friday, he’s inviting us and subscribers to our blog and e-mail list (and their friends) to a casual gathering of urban pioneers. Ron’s going to share some of his vision for this burgeoning corner of Oak Park and has invited any and all to join in the dialog and discussion.

And, of course, there will be tours of the project. Not to mention pizza from Luigi’s and beer from Rubicon. And local art by Gale Hart, Bud Gordon and Jeremy Sykes

Pretty cool, huh!

5 units have already sold. We don’t think it’ll take much for the others to sell, so if you’d like to get a peek yourself, this is a good chance.

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2008 (Friday, February 22nd, 2008)
Time: 5:30 to 7:30pm
Address: 2901 35th Street
One block south of the Starbucks on Broadway.

No RSVP’s needed. Just show up. Tell others and bring your friends and colleagues.
We’ll be there, and we hope to see some of you as well.

If you can’t go, but would like more information about the project, you can call 442-7895 or visit the website.