Thursday, May 31, 2007
Downtown Denver Theatre District
City leaders announced yesterday that the area centered around 14th and Curtis Streets in Downtown Denver has been designated as the Denver Theatre District. The district extends from Arapahoe to Champa and from the 16th Street Mall to Speer Boulevard, and at its heart is, of course, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, reportedly the largest of its kind in the nation with 11,260 seats in 11 performance venues.
Curtis Street was once known as "Theater Row" or the "Great White Way" and featured an impressive lineup of theaters with signs and marquees that blazed in bright lights. Here's a neat 1927 photo of Curtis Street from the Denver Public Library's Western History collection:
Part of the new Denver Theatre District program is to install illuminated signs and screens on the sides of buildings in the district in a "Times Square" fashion, improve the streetscape, and activate the Performing Arts Complex park along Speer. These improvements will also nicely tie in with the planned streetscape enhancements for 14th Street from Larimer to Colfax.
This focus on Curtis Street between 14th and 16th is the first step in implementing one of the recommendations of the new Downtown Area Plan, which identified Curtis Street as one of several Downtown named streets that will function as a Priority Pedestrian Connection to help link Downtown Denver's various districts. Curtis Street will connect the Theatre District with the retail spine along 16th, the Financial District at 17th, the Federal District at 19th, the future Arapahoe Square District between 20th and Park Avenue, and then on into the Curtis Park neighborhood.
A key infill development opportunity that would greatly improve the pedestrian-friendliness of Curtis Street lies on Block 109, where an entire half block of surface parking lots face Curtis Street. Not only is the corner of 17th and Curtis a super-prime location in the heart of Downtown, but sharing the block with this site is the Hotel Monaco and the new Residence Inn hotel... darn good neighbors if you ask me.
Curtis Street was once known as "Theater Row" or the "Great White Way" and featured an impressive lineup of theaters with signs and marquees that blazed in bright lights. Here's a neat 1927 photo of Curtis Street from the Denver Public Library's Western History collection:
Part of the new Denver Theatre District program is to install illuminated signs and screens on the sides of buildings in the district in a "Times Square" fashion, improve the streetscape, and activate the Performing Arts Complex park along Speer. These improvements will also nicely tie in with the planned streetscape enhancements for 14th Street from Larimer to Colfax.
This focus on Curtis Street between 14th and 16th is the first step in implementing one of the recommendations of the new Downtown Area Plan, which identified Curtis Street as one of several Downtown named streets that will function as a Priority Pedestrian Connection to help link Downtown Denver's various districts. Curtis Street will connect the Theatre District with the retail spine along 16th, the Financial District at 17th, the Federal District at 19th, the future Arapahoe Square District between 20th and Park Avenue, and then on into the Curtis Park neighborhood.
A key infill development opportunity that would greatly improve the pedestrian-friendliness of Curtis Street lies on Block 109, where an entire half block of surface parking lots face Curtis Street. Not only is the corner of 17th and Curtis a super-prime location in the heart of Downtown, but sharing the block with this site is the Hotel Monaco and the new Residence Inn hotel... darn good neighbors if you ask me.
RiverClay Construction Blog
RiverClay, a 6-story, 60-unit condominium project in the Jefferson Park neighborhood overlooking Downtown Denver started construction in March. Since then, I've posted a couple of construction photos, but to keep up with the project's progress on a more regular basis, check out the new RiverClay Construction Blog here.
RiverClay will be one of Denver's first LEED-certified condo buildings. The development will also generate about 40% of its electricity with roof-mounted photo voltaics. How cool is that?
RiverClay will be one of Denver's first LEED-certified condo buildings. The development will also generate about 40% of its electricity with roof-mounted photo voltaics. How cool is that?
Friday, May 25, 2007
Seed Building Façade Exposed
In my blog earlier today about the Office Depot at 16th and Market, I mentioned that building's long blank wall facing Market Street. Behind the Office Depot closer to 15th Street, the historic Rocky Mountain Seed building's Market Street façade has, for many decades, been dominated by green sheet metal. You know, this is what I’m talking about:
Well, thanks to a heads-up from a DenverInfill reader, check out what the Seed building’s Market Street side looks like now:
Very cool. I can't wait to see the building after the renovation is complete. Now, let’s get that Office Depot site redeveloped and a new infill building on that parking lot at the corner!
Well, thanks to a heads-up from a DenverInfill reader, check out what the Seed building’s Market Street side looks like now:
Very cool. I can't wait to see the building after the renovation is complete. Now, let’s get that Office Depot site redeveloped and a new infill building on that parking lot at the corner!
Sign Installed for Denver Four Seasons Tower
Hey, I know it's just a sign, but we've been waiting to see this for a long time. At the corner of 14th and Arapahoe:
A similar sign is being installed at the corner of 14th and Lawrence. Now all we have to do now is wait for the start of construction this Fall.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Possible Deals Pending for Fontius, Office Depot Sites?
In the new edition of the Denver Business Journal released today, Paula Moore reports that change may be coming to Block 162 in Downtown Denver, the block where the dilapidated Fontius Building is located.
A deed recently filed with the city indicates that ownership of the Fontius property has shifted within the Cook family and is now consolidated under Gary Cook’s control. Paula notes that this could potentially be a sign that Gary Cook is preparing to sell the property to another party, such as developer Evan Makovsky, who has gone on record as being interested in doing a project on Block 162 in the future.
The Revitalizing the Core task force, the City, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and others, including DenverInfill.com and many of you who read this blog regularly, have been pushing for improvements in the core area of Downtown, with the Fontius and Block 162 at or near the top of the list. Perhaps this news is an indication that all our efforts may be finally paying off.
But that’s not all! The Denver Business Journal article also reports that the Office Depot building at 16th and Market (which is owned by a different branch of the Cook family than Gary Cook’s), may be in the process of being sold and could potentially be redeveloped as a hotel. I love having an Office Depot in the heart of Downtown. If you work or live Downtown like me, you know it’s very convenient for quickly picking up an office gadget or two. But the Office Depot building represents such a significant underutilization of a highly visible corner on the Mall, it’s not even funny. Plus, the building’s brown, windowless, concrete wall that stretches almost to 15th Street is one of the worst pedestrian dead zones in Downtown. A redevelopment of that site would be a tremendous boost to Downtown’s overall vitality. Maybe Office Depot could find a new home on the ground floor of some future Downtown office or condo tower.
Hopefully, there will be official confirmation of either or both of these developments in the near future. I'll certainly let you know if or when there is.
A deed recently filed with the city indicates that ownership of the Fontius property has shifted within the Cook family and is now consolidated under Gary Cook’s control. Paula notes that this could potentially be a sign that Gary Cook is preparing to sell the property to another party, such as developer Evan Makovsky, who has gone on record as being interested in doing a project on Block 162 in the future.
The Revitalizing the Core task force, the City, the Downtown Denver Partnership, and others, including DenverInfill.com and many of you who read this blog regularly, have been pushing for improvements in the core area of Downtown, with the Fontius and Block 162 at or near the top of the list. Perhaps this news is an indication that all our efforts may be finally paying off.
But that’s not all! The Denver Business Journal article also reports that the Office Depot building at 16th and Market (which is owned by a different branch of the Cook family than Gary Cook’s), may be in the process of being sold and could potentially be redeveloped as a hotel. I love having an Office Depot in the heart of Downtown. If you work or live Downtown like me, you know it’s very convenient for quickly picking up an office gadget or two. But the Office Depot building represents such a significant underutilization of a highly visible corner on the Mall, it’s not even funny. Plus, the building’s brown, windowless, concrete wall that stretches almost to 15th Street is one of the worst pedestrian dead zones in Downtown. A redevelopment of that site would be a tremendous boost to Downtown’s overall vitality. Maybe Office Depot could find a new home on the ground floor of some future Downtown office or condo tower.
Hopefully, there will be official confirmation of either or both of these developments in the near future. I'll certainly let you know if or when there is.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
1401 Lawrence Site Set for Sales Center Construction
Work should be getting underway shortly on the construction of the sales center for 1401 Lawrence, the 51-story condo tower planned by Great Gulf Group for Block 070 in Downtown Denver. The sales center will be constructed on the site of the proposed tower, currently a surface parking lot. John Rebchook has a short article about it in today's Rocky Mountain News: Construction of Sales Center Scheduled.
Here's a photo of the fenced-off site from yesterday afternoon. Let's hope construction of the tower itself will follow soon!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Monday, May 21, 2007
New City Park West Project: The Edge at City Park
There's a new urban infill project coming to the City Park West neighborhood. The Edge at City Park is a 29-unit condominium project located at 1855 Gaylord, one block from the western end of City Park, Denver's largest urban park.
The Edge at City Park consists of the conversion/renovation of an existing vacant office building at the site into 13 units, along with the construction of a new 5-story building on the parking lot next door that will hold another 16 units. Here's a rendering of what the project will look like in the end:
The Edge at City Park consists of the conversion/renovation of an existing vacant office building at the site into 13 units, along with the construction of a new 5-story building on the parking lot next door that will hold another 16 units. Here's a rendering of what the project will look like in the end:
For photos of what the property looks like now, check out the City Park West page, where we've already added The Edge at City Park as project number 17. As you can see, this project will greatly improve the conditions on the block.
For more information about The Edge at City Park, check out the project website, www.theedgeatcitypark.com, which includes floor plans, pricing, and more.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Downtown Denver: Spire Breaks Ground!
Today, the Nichols Partnership held its ceremonial groundbreaking for Spire, its 41-story, 503-unit condominium project in the heart of Denver's Central Business District!
Here are a few photos from today's event:
Nichols Partnership owner Randy Nichols and Downtown Denver Partnership President Tami Door addressing the crowd:
Mayor Hickenlooper emphasizing Downtown's accomplishments and, a few minutes later, emerging from his short-lived stint as ceremonial backhoe operator:
Getting ready for the official tossing-of-dirt is Spire project manager Chris Crosby of the Nichols Partnership (left) along with the rest of the distinguished groundbreakers:
Here’s a new rendering of the Spire project. The project architect is Denver's RNL Design:
Excavation work started on the project a couple of weeks ago, with all of the asphalt from the former 37,500-square foot surface parking now removed. Spire will be the tallest residential tower to be built in the Rocky Mountain region. For more information on the project, here’s the press release about today’s groundbreaking:
"Spire Denver, LLC announced today the groundbreaking ceremonies for Spire, a $175,000,000 high-rise residential condominium project, located at 891 14th Street, which will be held at 2:30 pm at the construction site. With 41 stories (483 feet high) and 503 homes (714 bedrooms), Spire will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the Western United States and the first new residential high-rise to be built in the central business district of Denver in decades (24 years).
'Spire is ideally located and will provide our owners with a unique opportunity to live in an amenity-rich project at the best site to access Denver’s compelling lifestyle,' said Randy Nichols, president of Nichols Partnership. 'Downtown Denver is a vibrant, exciting place to work, live and play and Spire will enable many more people to experience this dynamic, urban lifestyle.'
The building will be built at 891 14th Street (14th and Champa Streets), directly across the street from the Denver Convention Center, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and a few blocks from Larimer Square, Lower Downtown, the Pepsi Center, the Cherry Creek bike path, and the 16th Street Mall.
Designed by Denver-based RNL Design and Boulder-based Communication Arts, the building will feature a 33-story residential tower arising from an eight-story parking podium with ground-floor retail. The parking podium includes 602 covered parking spaces. The building will include first-class amenities such as 24/7 concierge and security services, virtual art gallery, ground-floor retail and reserved parking. A two-level amenity area will include a state-of-the-art health club facility, media room, pool-side club room/bar, billiards room, and landscaped outdoor terrace with grilling areas, fire pit, outdoor pools, hot tubs and wireless internet. In addition, the 41st floor will feature the SkyClub, a spectacular penthouse level amenity.
'Because Spire is at the western edge of Denver’s high-rise zone, our residents will benefit from unobstructed views of the Denver skyline as well as the Rocky Mountains,' continued Nichols. 'Spire was designed from its inception to provide a high quality dynamic living environment for a spectrum of owners from young professionals to empty-nesters who desire to be connected to their community and to their city. The Nichols Partnership is pleased to play a role in the emergence of urban living in Downtown Denver and to be a major part of the efforts to make 14th Street our next great street.'
Spire homes will have 10’ ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass, balconies, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, European-style cabinetry, ultra-high-speed structured wiring, and unparalleled city and mountain views.
Construction commenced in May of 2007 with initial occupancy in July 2009 (26 months). Residences will be priced from $200,000. Sales information will soon be available on the project website, www.spiredenver.com."
The fact that the Spire project is now officially underway is extremely significant to our city. For about two decades, from 1985 to 2005, Downtown Denver did not see the construction of a single high-rise tower, even though Downtown itself underwent a remarkable transformation in terms of pedestrian activity and general vitality, thanks to Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, the Denver Pavilions, light rail, and the revitalization of Lower Downtown. But still, all great cities must eventually add to and enhance their skyline, the arc of skyscrapers that creates the icon that represents not only the city, but the entire metropolitan area and region to the rest of the world. Denver was loooooong overdue.
In late 2005, we did welcome the addition of the publicly-financed 37-story Hyatt convention center hotel to our skyline. But ultimately, we must rely on the private sector to lead the way in transforming Downtown’s skyline into a new icon for the twenty-first century. Last year we witnessed the start of construction of the 32-story One Lincoln Park project and the completion of the 23-story Glass House, but it is with the construction of the 41-story Spire that we can say that Denver’s 20-year skyscraper drought is officially over.
Spire, One Lincoln Park, Glass House, Four Seasons, 1401 Lawrence, Embassy/Homewood Suites, 1800 Larimer, 1900 16th Street, Sugar-3, 1515 Wynkoop, 1400 Wewatta, 1800 Market, City House, Wewatta Plaza, 1755 Blake, EPA, DNA, Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, etc., along with public initiatives like FasTracks and Union Station, the Downtown Area Plan, Auraria Master Plan, and others… Downtown Denver has truly evolved and moved beyond its 1980s-glorified-office-park status. Pay attention people, because I believe we’re very near the tipping point of Downtown Denver’s transformation into something more than we could have ever imagined!
Here are a few photos from today's event:
Nichols Partnership owner Randy Nichols and Downtown Denver Partnership President Tami Door addressing the crowd:
Mayor Hickenlooper emphasizing Downtown's accomplishments and, a few minutes later, emerging from his short-lived stint as ceremonial backhoe operator:
Getting ready for the official tossing-of-dirt is Spire project manager Chris Crosby of the Nichols Partnership (left) along with the rest of the distinguished groundbreakers:
Here’s a new rendering of the Spire project. The project architect is Denver's RNL Design:
Excavation work started on the project a couple of weeks ago, with all of the asphalt from the former 37,500-square foot surface parking now removed. Spire will be the tallest residential tower to be built in the Rocky Mountain region. For more information on the project, here’s the press release about today’s groundbreaking:
"Spire Denver, LLC announced today the groundbreaking ceremonies for Spire, a $175,000,000 high-rise residential condominium project, located at 891 14th Street, which will be held at 2:30 pm at the construction site. With 41 stories (483 feet high) and 503 homes (714 bedrooms), Spire will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the Western United States and the first new residential high-rise to be built in the central business district of Denver in decades (24 years).
'Spire is ideally located and will provide our owners with a unique opportunity to live in an amenity-rich project at the best site to access Denver’s compelling lifestyle,' said Randy Nichols, president of Nichols Partnership. 'Downtown Denver is a vibrant, exciting place to work, live and play and Spire will enable many more people to experience this dynamic, urban lifestyle.'
The building will be built at 891 14th Street (14th and Champa Streets), directly across the street from the Denver Convention Center, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and a few blocks from Larimer Square, Lower Downtown, the Pepsi Center, the Cherry Creek bike path, and the 16th Street Mall.
Designed by Denver-based RNL Design and Boulder-based Communication Arts, the building will feature a 33-story residential tower arising from an eight-story parking podium with ground-floor retail. The parking podium includes 602 covered parking spaces. The building will include first-class amenities such as 24/7 concierge and security services, virtual art gallery, ground-floor retail and reserved parking. A two-level amenity area will include a state-of-the-art health club facility, media room, pool-side club room/bar, billiards room, and landscaped outdoor terrace with grilling areas, fire pit, outdoor pools, hot tubs and wireless internet. In addition, the 41st floor will feature the SkyClub, a spectacular penthouse level amenity.
'Because Spire is at the western edge of Denver’s high-rise zone, our residents will benefit from unobstructed views of the Denver skyline as well as the Rocky Mountains,' continued Nichols. 'Spire was designed from its inception to provide a high quality dynamic living environment for a spectrum of owners from young professionals to empty-nesters who desire to be connected to their community and to their city. The Nichols Partnership is pleased to play a role in the emergence of urban living in Downtown Denver and to be a major part of the efforts to make 14th Street our next great street.'
Spire homes will have 10’ ceilings with floor-to-ceiling glass, balconies, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, European-style cabinetry, ultra-high-speed structured wiring, and unparalleled city and mountain views.
Construction commenced in May of 2007 with initial occupancy in July 2009 (26 months). Residences will be priced from $200,000. Sales information will soon be available on the project website, www.spiredenver.com."
The fact that the Spire project is now officially underway is extremely significant to our city. For about two decades, from 1985 to 2005, Downtown Denver did not see the construction of a single high-rise tower, even though Downtown itself underwent a remarkable transformation in terms of pedestrian activity and general vitality, thanks to Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, the Denver Pavilions, light rail, and the revitalization of Lower Downtown. But still, all great cities must eventually add to and enhance their skyline, the arc of skyscrapers that creates the icon that represents not only the city, but the entire metropolitan area and region to the rest of the world. Denver was loooooong overdue.
In late 2005, we did welcome the addition of the publicly-financed 37-story Hyatt convention center hotel to our skyline. But ultimately, we must rely on the private sector to lead the way in transforming Downtown’s skyline into a new icon for the twenty-first century. Last year we witnessed the start of construction of the 32-story One Lincoln Park project and the completion of the 23-story Glass House, but it is with the construction of the 41-story Spire that we can say that Denver’s 20-year skyscraper drought is officially over.
Spire, One Lincoln Park, Glass House, Four Seasons, 1401 Lawrence, Embassy/Homewood Suites, 1800 Larimer, 1900 16th Street, Sugar-3, 1515 Wynkoop, 1400 Wewatta, 1800 Market, City House, Wewatta Plaza, 1755 Blake, EPA, DNA, Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, etc., along with public initiatives like FasTracks and Union Station, the Downtown Area Plan, Auraria Master Plan, and others… Downtown Denver has truly evolved and moved beyond its 1980s-glorified-office-park status. Pay attention people, because I believe we’re very near the tipping point of Downtown Denver’s transformation into something more than we could have ever imagined!
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver: New Rendering
The other day I blogged about the exterior glass going up on the new Museum of Contemporary ArtDenver building at 15th and Delgany in Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district. Thanks to the good folks at MCAD and at London-based Adjaye/Associates, here's the latest rendering showing the smoky-dark semi-translucent glass that will envelop the new building (click and expand to view the image at its full size):
What a great location, at the cusp between LoDo and the CPV, for a cutting-edge cultural facility like the MCAD!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core
What a great location, at the cusp between LoDo and the CPV, for a cutting-edge cultural facility like the MCAD!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core
Monday, May 14, 2007
RMN Building Demolition Nearly Complete
Work crews from Colorado Cleanup Corporation made good progress this weekend on the demolition of the former Rocky Mountain News building at Fox Street and Colfax Avenue in Downtown Denver. The old newspaper building on Block 011-W and the post office and other businesses on Block 012-W will be replaced with the new Denver Justice Center project. To the south on Block 020-W, the Justice Center Parking Garage is nearing completion, which will include a new post office on the ground floor. Once the post office moves into its new space, demolition of the buildings on Block 012-W can begin.
Here are a few photos from this weekend:
What used to be the 3rd and 4th floor elevator lobbies (left); new Justice Center parking garage under construction (right):
Here are a few photos from this weekend:
What used to be the 3rd and 4th floor elevator lobbies (left); new Justice Center parking garage under construction (right):
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Railyard Dogs Park
I may have mentioned this project in the past but I don't believe I've separately blogged about it, so...
Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district is getting another park! There are already two parks in the CPV: Commons Park for the humans, and the Denver Skate Park for the humans + skateboard. The new one is for the dogs.
The Railyard Dogs Park will occupy a slightly-less-than-one-acre triangle of land at 19th Street and the railroad tracks, just north of the Manhattan. The rest of the undeveloped block bounded by 19th, Little Raven, 20th, and the tracks will be developed as a future phase of East West Partners' Riverfront Park project.
Here's a rendering:
Railyard Dogs Park will be a City of Denver off-leash dog park, and will feature an artificial turf that incorporates a bit of real grass, similar to what the Broncos play on at the new Mile High Stadium. This will prevent the turf at Railyard Dogs Park from getting all worn and dug up by the romping canines, and will help make it easier to clean and keep it looking nice all year long.
The new park will cost about $500,000 and will be funded by the Riverfront Park Community Foundation, private donations, and by contributions from sub-contractors working on other East West Partners projects in the valley. The project's construction timeline hasn't been finalized, but it should be complete within the next year or two.
For more information or if you'd like to make a donation, please check out the project website at http://railyarddogs.typepad.com/.
Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district is getting another park! There are already two parks in the CPV: Commons Park for the humans, and the Denver Skate Park for the humans + skateboard. The new one is for the dogs.
The Railyard Dogs Park will occupy a slightly-less-than-one-acre triangle of land at 19th Street and the railroad tracks, just north of the Manhattan. The rest of the undeveloped block bounded by 19th, Little Raven, 20th, and the tracks will be developed as a future phase of East West Partners' Riverfront Park project.
Here's a rendering:
Railyard Dogs Park will be a City of Denver off-leash dog park, and will feature an artificial turf that incorporates a bit of real grass, similar to what the Broncos play on at the new Mile High Stadium. This will prevent the turf at Railyard Dogs Park from getting all worn and dug up by the romping canines, and will help make it easier to clean and keep it looking nice all year long.
The new park will cost about $500,000 and will be funded by the Riverfront Park Community Foundation, private donations, and by contributions from sub-contractors working on other East West Partners projects in the valley. The project's construction timeline hasn't been finalized, but it should be complete within the next year or two.
For more information or if you'd like to make a donation, please check out the project website at http://railyarddogs.typepad.com/.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Motor Hotel Garage Demolition Underway
Demolition has finally begun on Downtown Denver's old Motor Hotel parking garage at 14th and Stout across from the Colorado Convention Center, although the work to date has been confined just to the rooftop. But, from the heavy duty barricades they've recently brought in, it looks like demolition of the full structure can't be too far off.
The parking garage site will be the future home to a new Embassy Suites/Homewood Suites hotel, shown below:
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
The parking garage site will be the future home to a new Embassy Suites/Homewood Suites hotel, shown below:
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver: Construction Update
The new home of Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art has been under construction for several months now at the corner of Delgany and 15th Street in the Central Platte Valley. Recently, workers began installing the semi-translucent glass that will cover much of the facility. Here's a couple of photos:
I can't wait to see the finished building at night. I hope it looks as cool as the artist's rendering:
Either way, the MCA/D represents another great contribution to our city.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
I can't wait to see the finished building at night. I hope it looks as cool as the artist's rendering:
Either way, the MCA/D represents another great contribution to our city.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Downtown Denver's 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge Design
First, there was the Millennium Bridge, followed by the Platte River Pedestrian Bridge. Then came the Highland Bridge. Now, are you ready for the next and final installment of the Central Platte Valley pedestrian bridges?
Introducing... the 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge! This final CPV pedestrian bridge will span the Consolidated Main Line railroad tracks and connect the Union Station redevelopment area with the Riverfront Park area along 18th Street. On the Riverfront Park side, the base of the bridge will be located between the Glass House and the Manhattan. On the Union Station side, it will be located between to the City House project (slated to begin construction this year) and the relocated Light Rail station that's part of the FasTracks multi-modal transit hub behind Union Station.
The 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge will be painted steel with perforated metal panels inset from the truss. The elevators will be glass on two sides with petina copper on the other two sides. The elevator car itself will be polished copper. The stairs at the north (Riverfront Park) end will be painted metal. The grand stairway at the south (Union Station) end will be a metal structure with granite steps and a granite wall feature that faces the street corner.
Here are a few images, courtesty of East-West Partners. The three perspectives below are viewed from (or above) the future Light Rail station along the CML tracks at the end of 17th Street. The building on the left is the Manhattan, and the building on the right is the proposed City House:
Below, the image on the left is looking toward the bridge from the foot of 18th Street on the Union Station side. The middle image is looking northeast down the tracks from the future Light Rail station with the Manhattan on the left and City House on the right. The image on the right is viewed from the top of the north tower of the Glass House, looking down and to the east:
Introducing... the 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge! This final CPV pedestrian bridge will span the Consolidated Main Line railroad tracks and connect the Union Station redevelopment area with the Riverfront Park area along 18th Street. On the Riverfront Park side, the base of the bridge will be located between the Glass House and the Manhattan. On the Union Station side, it will be located between to the City House project (slated to begin construction this year) and the relocated Light Rail station that's part of the FasTracks multi-modal transit hub behind Union Station.
The 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge will be painted steel with perforated metal panels inset from the truss. The elevators will be glass on two sides with petina copper on the other two sides. The elevator car itself will be polished copper. The stairs at the north (Riverfront Park) end will be painted metal. The grand stairway at the south (Union Station) end will be a metal structure with granite steps and a granite wall feature that faces the street corner.
Here are a few images, courtesty of East-West Partners. The three perspectives below are viewed from (or above) the future Light Rail station along the CML tracks at the end of 17th Street. The building on the left is the Manhattan, and the building on the right is the proposed City House:
Below, the image on the left is looking toward the bridge from the foot of 18th Street on the Union Station side. The middle image is looking northeast down the tracks from the future Light Rail station with the Manhattan on the left and City House on the right. The image on the right is viewed from the top of the north tower of the Glass House, looking down and to the east:
Construction of the new pedestrian bridge should be complete by 2009-2010.
Blake 27 Final Phase Rendering
Blake 27, the popular brownstone project on Blake Street in the upper Ballpark neighborhood, has been progressing nicely. The first phase, which consisted of 23 units, was completed in late 2006. Since then, the second phase of an additional 50 brownstone units has been under construction. Here's a photo from mid-March:
A rendering of the final component of the second phase, a 64-unit condo building at the corner of 28th and Walnut, is now available. Here's a rendering from the project website:
When complete, the entire Blake 27 project will have developed more than an entire city block with over 140 residential units.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core
A rendering of the final component of the second phase, a 64-unit condo building at the corner of 28th and Walnut, is now available. Here's a rendering from the project website:
When complete, the entire Blake 27 project will have developed more than an entire city block with over 140 residential units.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core
Downtown Denver Area Plan Draft Report Now Available
The latest Downtown Area Plan public meeting was held last Thursday. Daniel Iacofano, principal with MIG, the planning consultant hired to help the city with the project, did a great job in presenting the entire plan. A good crowd showed up and the public comments were overwhelmingly supportive. The draft final plan report is now available on the project website. Check it out here: http://www.downtowndenverplan.org/docs.php?view=recent
I'll have more to say about the Downtown Area Plan in the near future.
I'll have more to say about the Downtown Area Plan in the near future.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Downtown Area Plan Meeting Tonight
What's the vision for Downtown Denver in 2027? For the answer to that question, please attend tonight's Downtown Area Plan community forum at the Colorado History Museum, 1300 Broadway, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM.
The Downtown Area Plan Steering Committe, city staff, representatives from the Downtown Denver Partnership, and planning consultants from Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. have been working hard on the Downtown Area Plan for about 18 months, and the final plan is just about finished. Tonight is your chance to weigh in on the plan before it heads to City Council for adoption this summer. For some of the plan highlights, check out this recent article by Margaret Jackson from the Denver Post: The New Downtown Plan or visit the project website at www.downtowndenverplan.org.
If you're planning on attending tonight's public meeting, please send a quick RSVP email to Malia at malia@downtowndenver.com.
The Downtown Area Plan Steering Committe, city staff, representatives from the Downtown Denver Partnership, and planning consultants from Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. have been working hard on the Downtown Area Plan for about 18 months, and the final plan is just about finished. Tonight is your chance to weigh in on the plan before it heads to City Council for adoption this summer. For some of the plan highlights, check out this recent article by Margaret Jackson from the Denver Post: The New Downtown Plan or visit the project website at www.downtowndenverplan.org.
If you're planning on attending tonight's public meeting, please send a quick RSVP email to Malia at malia@downtowndenver.com.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Denver Infill Update: 2101 Market Breaks Ground
2101 Market, the project formerly known as the Broadstone Lofts, located on Block 036 in the Northeast Downtown district near Coors Field, celebrated its official groundbreaking today. The project consists of two parts: the complete renovation/conversion of the historic Piggly Wiggly warehouse building plus a three-story rooftop addition into 52 units, and the construction of a new 8-story mid-rise building adjacent to the historic structure featuring underground parking, 6,600 SF of ground-floor retail, and 174 units, for a project total of 226 apartment residences.
The project is being developed by Alliance Residential, with architectural design provided by Ivins Design Group. Here are a few photos from today's event:
The ceremonial breaking of ground with Coors Field in the background:
The historic Piggly Wiggly building:
The rest of the 2100 block of Market to be occupied by the new 8-story building:
A rendering of the final result:
Once 2120 Market is complete, the vacant portion of the other side of the block along Blake will be developed as Phase 2 of the project, 2120 Blake Street. Construction of 2101 Market should be complete by late Summer 2008.
Rebuilding the core.
The project is being developed by Alliance Residential, with architectural design provided by Ivins Design Group. Here are a few photos from today's event:
The ceremonial breaking of ground with Coors Field in the background:
The historic Piggly Wiggly building:
The rest of the 2100 block of Market to be occupied by the new 8-story building:
A rendering of the final result:
Once 2120 Market is complete, the vacant portion of the other side of the block along Blake will be developed as Phase 2 of the project, 2120 Blake Street. Construction of 2101 Market should be complete by late Summer 2008.
Rebuilding the core.
1400 Wewatta: Construction Update
Construction of Opus Northwest's 1400 Wewatta project on Block 012 in Denver's Lower Downtown district is coming along nicely. It's now at the "Big Hole" stage. Viewing these pictures and being there in person, it sort of reminds me of a giant sandbox filled with Tonka toy trucks:
Rebuilding the core.
Parking and Art Deco in Downtown Denver
"Art Deco" and "parking garages" are not two things that are normally associated together, but when the first parking garages were built in Downtown Denver in the late 1920s, that's exactly what their developers thought of. As you may know, Downtown Denver's historic Motor Hotel Garage at 14th and Stout on Block 138 is on the verge of demolition. A fence is up around the property and excavators are waiting patiently in the parking lot next door. The site is the future home of the Embassy Suites/Homewood Suites project.
So, assuming we have only a few days left to recognize this building's 80-year presence on Stout Street, let's take a final look at it before it's gone. Much of the building leaves much to be desired. Its two side facades are unadorned and were built as common walls, and its alley facade is, as one would expect, quite plain. But the front reflects a sense of dignity and pride. Just because it was built as a parking garage doesn't mean that it lacked an attention to architectural detail appropriate for its era. While relatively reserved in its Art Deco expression, its few decorative elements stand out, even today in their state of disrepair, as beautiful examples of a bygone era. Maybe someone can save a few of these elements and incorporate them into the new Embassy Suites?
So, assuming we have only a few days left to recognize this building's 80-year presence on Stout Street, let's take a final look at it before it's gone. Much of the building leaves much to be desired. Its two side facades are unadorned and were built as common walls, and its alley facade is, as one would expect, quite plain. But the front reflects a sense of dignity and pride. Just because it was built as a parking garage doesn't mean that it lacked an attention to architectural detail appropriate for its era. While relatively reserved in its Art Deco expression, its few decorative elements stand out, even today in their state of disrepair, as beautiful examples of a bygone era. Maybe someone can save a few of these elements and incorporate them into the new Embassy Suites?
