Project Elevate is one of the most closely watched developments in Elk Grove. The City is working with CenterCal Properties to transform a publicly owned site near Elk Grove Boulevard, Big Horn Boulevard and District56 into a mixed-use destination built around shopping, dining, entertainment, hospitality, public gathering spaces and potentially new homes.
The project matters because many Elk Grove residents currently leave the city for larger entertainment districts, special-occasion restaurants and certain shopping experiences. Project Elevate is intended to create more of those options locally while producing a walkable place where people can meet, eat, shop and spend time outdoors.
That vision is significant, but it is still a development proposal rather than a completed destination. Individual businesses have not all been announced, plans can change during review, and construction is not expected immediately. This guide explains what is officially known, what remains uncertain and what residents should watch next.
For the latest formal information, review the City of Elk Grove Project Elevate page. You can also follow our Elk Grove community updates and local Weekend Guide as the area develops.
What Is Project Elevate and Where Will It Be Located?
Project Elevate is planned for roughly 20 acres owned by the City of Elk Grove at the southeast corner of Elk Grove Boulevard and Big Horn Boulevard. The property sits directly north of District56, the civic and recreation area that includes the Elk Grove Aquatics Center, community spaces and outdoor amenities.
The location gives the development more potential than a conventional shopping center. District56 already attracts families, swimmers, event visitors and recreation users. A well-connected mixed-use district could allow people to combine a park or aquatic-center visit with lunch, shopping, entertainment or an evening event without driving to several unrelated locations.
The Main Vision Behind the Development
The City describes Project Elevate as a dense, urban and walkable mixed-use development. The current program calls for retail, restaurants and entertainment, along with office, residential and hospitality uses. Official project materials require at least 100,000 square feet of retail space, with an emphasis on concepts that are new to the local market.
The plan is also expected to include central public gathering spaces and design features that support pedestrian activity. That distinction matters. A collection of buildings separated by large parking fields would not deliver the same experience as a connected district with shaded walkways, outdoor seating, plazas and convenient paths between destinations.
Retail, Restaurants and Entertainment
The retail portion is expected to include restaurants, shops and entertainment uses rather than relying on one large anchor alone. The goal is to create a place people visit for several reasons and at different times of day.
A useful tenant mix could include casual restaurants, special-occasion dining, dessert and coffee businesses, family entertainment, fitness or wellness concepts and smaller shops. The final lineup will depend on leasing agreements, market conditions and the formal plans submitted by the developer. Until a tenant is confirmed by the business, developer or City, social-media lists should be treated as speculation.
Housing, Offices and a Hotel
Project Elevate is also planned as more than a retail destination. Housing, office space and a hotel are part of the mixed-use vision. These uses can help create activity beyond weekend shopping hours. Residents provide daily foot traffic, office users support lunch and service businesses, and hotel guests create demand for nearby dining and events.
The exact number, type and timing of residential units remain subject to the developer’s application and approval process. The same is true for office and hotel components. Mixed-use projects are frequently built in phases, so every planned feature may not open at the same time.
Where the Project Stands in 2026
The City selected CenterCal as its development partner after a competitive process. In June 2025, the parties completed a purchase and sale agreement covering the City-owned property. CenterCal is responsible for refining the site design, securing required approvals and permits, arranging financing, leasing the commercial space and constructing the project.
Recent reporting indicates that pre-leasing activity is underway before the submission of a formal project application. That is encouraging because commercial projects generally need sufficient tenant interest to support financing and construction. It does not mean that every discussed business has signed a final lease or that the development is ready to break ground.
Why Construction Will Not Begin Immediately
Before construction, the developer must complete detailed site plans, architecture, engineering, environmental review and the City entitlement process. Infrastructure, utilities, access, traffic circulation, parking and connections to surrounding properties must also be resolved.
The City’s current project page states that construction could begin as soon as summer 2027. The phrase “as soon as” is important. It describes the earliest possibility under the agreement, not a guaranteed opening date. Large mixed-use projects can be affected by interest rates, construction costs, tenant commitments, permit timing and changes in the broader retail market.
Residents should expect more useful details when the formal application is submitted. That stage should provide clearer information about building placement, public spaces, parking, housing, road access and the project’s proposed phases.
What Project Elevate Could Mean for Everyday Life in Elk Grove
The most important measure of Project Elevate will not be the number of recognizable business names. Its real value will depend on whether the finished district makes local life easier, more enjoyable and more connected.
A successful project could give residents a comfortable place for date nights, family outings, coffee meetings, celebrations and casual evening walks. It could also complement District56 by giving recreation and event visitors somewhere nearby to eat or spend additional time.
Benefits, Concerns and Details Residents Should Watch
More dining and entertainment choices could keep a larger share of local spending within Elk Grove and create employment opportunities. A hotel could support weddings, sports travel, business gatherings and visitors attending nearby events. Housing near services may also give some residents the option to live closer to recreation, shops and future transit connections.
Growth also brings legitimate concerns. Nearby residents may experience additional traffic, construction activity and changes in neighborhood patterns. Popular businesses can create parking pressure if access and circulation are poorly designed. Public plazas will need shade, seating, landscaping, maintenance and programming if they are expected to function as real community spaces rather than decorative gaps between buildings.
How to Follow the Project Without Falling for Rumors
Use official sources as the starting point. The City’s Project Elevate page should provide formal milestones, while planning agendas and staff reports will document applications, hearings and approvals. Announcements from CenterCal or confirmed tenants can establish which businesses are actually committed.
Be careful with renderings. Early images communicate a design direction, but individual buildings, materials, tenants and landscaping can change. A rendering is not proof of a construction schedule or final storefront lineup.
When public plans become available, look beyond brand names and review the practical details:
- How safely can people walk between District56 and Project Elevate?
- Will the public spaces have shade, seating and year-round programming?
- How will drivers enter and leave during busy periods?
- Are bicycle parking and local transit connections convenient?
- Will smaller and locally owned businesses have realistic opportunities to participate?
- How will construction be phased, and which uses will open first?
Project Elevate should be judged by how well all of its parts work together. A high-profile restaurant may attract attention, but the long-term experience will depend on thoughtful streets, comfortable public spaces, useful everyday businesses and connections to the surrounding civic district.
Until formal plans and tenants are confirmed, residents should remain interested without treating every rumor as fact. The development has cleared an important partnership milestone, and pre-leasing suggests active progress, but several planning and construction stages remain.
Elk Grove Living will continue following Project Elevate as new documents, tenants and timelines are announced. For more local ideas, browse our Elk Grove Food and Drink guides, community events, things to do in Elk Grove and parks and outdoor guides.