If you saw some bright spotlights weaving through the downtown sky Thursday Feb. 26, the source was probably the Citizen Hotel, which is owned by Joie de Vivre Hotels. The 83-year-old building located at 926 J Street was filled with hundreds of formally-dressed partygoers from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests enjoyed appetizers prepared by Chef Michael Tuohy from the hotel's Grange Restaurant, while sipping from a champagne fountain and a martini luge. On other floors, guests enjoyed wine, chocolate and ja... jmendick Juliemarg comment-4023 2009-02-28T21:45:27Z 2009-02-28T21:45:27Z I had dinner at the Grange last weekend and it was yummy! Juliemarg 2009-02-28T21:45:27Z bbbbmer comment-4004 2009-02-28T17:28:46Z 2009-02-28T17:28:46Z It's lovely that someone finally renovated this magnificent building. I used to work at the ol' 'Poverty Palace', as it was known under ownership of the Oppenheimer family, and it suffered from lack of TLC. But now it's magnificent once again, albeit overpriced for most of the nonprofits that used to be housed there... Oh well...Progress, I suppose... bbbbmer 2009-02-28T17:28:46Z lorena beightler comment-3991 2009-02-28T01:37:11Z 2009-02-28T01:37:11Z I love the interior design, especially the clever theme of their bar "Scandal" with all the photographs/drawings of paparazzi taking pictures of scandalous behavior. I have also experience the Grange during lunch time. The service and food were outstanding! I am thrilled that Sacramento has a hotel of the quality of the Citizen Hotel. lorena beightler 2009-02-28T01:37:11Z Colleen Belcher comment-3967 2009-02-27T20:53:09Z 2009-02-27T20:53:09Z This was the grand opening. It has been open for some time. Colleen Belcher 2009-02-27T20:53:09Z Paul Cox comment-3985 2009-02-27T20:16:25Z 2009-02-27T20:16:25Z Also, didn't this hotel open over a month ago? Is this just the official opening? I've seen people going in and out with luggage, the restaurant full, and more. It's also interesting to not the discrepancy between the week and weekend rates. Definitely someplace to check out if you have relatives/friends coming in to town over the weekend. Paul Cox 2009-02-27T20:16:25Z Jonathan Mendick comment-3916 2009-02-27T17:18:19Z 2009-02-27T17:18:19Z ::::Edit:::: Tony is correct; sorry for the error. Thank you for the correction Tony. Taking into account the edit, this is how the first paragraph should read: "If you saw some bright spotlights weaving through the downtown sky Thursday Feb. 26, the source was probably the Citizen Hotel, which is operated by San-Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hotels. Rubicon Partners owns the 83-year-old building located at 926 J Street which was filled with hundreds of formally-dressed partygoers from 5 to 8 p.m." Jonathan Mendick 2009-02-27T17:18:19Z Sonny Mayugba comment-3913 2009-02-27T16:49:51Z 2009-02-27T16:49:51Z I went last night and it was an amazing event. Got to hang with Michael Guthrie, the architect for The Grange, Chef Michael Tuohy, as well as the usual cast of Sacramento citizens (ha). The spread gave a great tour of the property, from ground level to the astounding 14th floor balcony. The fact that they preserved the building while improving its insides makes this group top notch. IMO, The Citizen and The Grange are one of the best assets of this city. Sonny Mayugba 2009-02-27T16:49:51Z Tony Sheppard comment-3961 2009-02-27T10:07:23Z 2009-02-27T10:07:23Z Edit: Chip Conley's San Francisco based Joie de Vivre Hotels operates the Citizen Hotel for the owners of the building, Rubicon Partners. The day before the grand opening, the Citizen hosted 45 Sacramento State students (and me) for a presentation by Rubicon CFO Kipp Blewett and Citizen GM Mark Matthews. The presentation was followed by a tour of the building. It was a generous opportunity for the Hospitality Administration elective students of the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration program, especially given the timing, and it demonstrates the companies' commitment to the Sacramento community. Tony Sheppard 2009-02-27T10:07:23Z