Saturday, June 30, 2007
Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot Candidate #3 - Block 176
The third candidate for Downtown Denver's "Worst Parking Lot" is Block 176 in Upper Downtown. Block 176 is right across the street from Candidate #2, Block 001-B. Together, they help make the area around Broadway and 20th into an asphalt wasteland.
Here's the aerial for Block 176:
Surface parking covers most of Block 176 except for Shelby's Bar & Grill, an unpretentious local pub housed in a one-story 1,946 SF structure built in 1906 (formerly a mortuary), and the vacant shell of an old bank drive-thru facility. In other words, the entire block represents a massive underutilization of prime Downtown real estate. The new Downtown Area Plan identifies this block as an "Opportunity Site" that, upon redevelopment, could help catalyze additional investment in the area.
The parking lot along the Welton half of the block is owned by C. Courtney and Lucy Patten, and the parking lot along the Glenarm half of the block is owned by the Antelope Company. According to the Colorado Secretary of State's records, the Antelope Company is owned by members of Denver's wealthy Anschutz family.
The parking lots are operated by Central Parking Systems. You may be familiar with this company from our review of Candidates #1 and #2. Here's an overview of the quality of the parking lot on Block 176:
Once again we see a parking surface in such poor condition that loose chunks of pavement can be found, wooden poles with overhead wires scattered about, no landscaping (unless weeds growing through the cracks in the asphalt count), etc. It's an embarrassing mess. At least Central Parking Systems is consistent!
Here's the aerial for Block 176:
Surface parking covers most of Block 176 except for Shelby's Bar & Grill, an unpretentious local pub housed in a one-story 1,946 SF structure built in 1906 (formerly a mortuary), and the vacant shell of an old bank drive-thru facility. In other words, the entire block represents a massive underutilization of prime Downtown real estate. The new Downtown Area Plan identifies this block as an "Opportunity Site" that, upon redevelopment, could help catalyze additional investment in the area.
The parking lot along the Welton half of the block is owned by C. Courtney and Lucy Patten, and the parking lot along the Glenarm half of the block is owned by the Antelope Company. According to the Colorado Secretary of State's records, the Antelope Company is owned by members of Denver's wealthy Anschutz family.
The parking lots are operated by Central Parking Systems. You may be familiar with this company from our review of Candidates #1 and #2. Here's an overview of the quality of the parking lot on Block 176:
Once again we see a parking surface in such poor condition that loose chunks of pavement can be found, wooden poles with overhead wires scattered about, no landscaping (unless weeds growing through the cracks in the asphalt count), etc. It's an embarrassing mess. At least Central Parking Systems is consistent!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot Candidate #2 - Block 001-B
The second of our five most-nominated "worst parking lots" in Downtown Denver is located on Block 001-B in Upper Downtown. Here's the aerial photo:
One aspect of this parking lot which likely contributed to its frequent nomination is the fact that, not only does the lot cover almost the entire block (except for a small Avis car rental facility in the southwest corner that is itself half surface parking), but it is almost entirely surrounded by other parking lots. Consequently, this lot feels like ground zero of the ugly expanse of asphalt that dominates this part of Downtown. What's even more frustrating is that diagonally across the Welton/Broadway intersection from this lot is 1999 Broadway, one of the city's most unique and acclaimed skyscrapers. The good news is that one of those surrounding parking lots is now the construction site for One Lincoln Park, but that still leaves plenty of room for improvement.
This lot's physical condition is appalling. Take a look (expand to view at full size):
It is quite clear that as little investment as possible has been put into this parking lot over the years. The entire block (including the land under the Avis facility) is owned by Allright Parking, a Central Parking Systems company. Central Parking Systems brags on their corporate website that they are the "world's largest parking services provider." So, both of our first two "worst parking lot" candidates are owned or managed by the Wal-Mart of parking lots!
One aspect of this parking lot which likely contributed to its frequent nomination is the fact that, not only does the lot cover almost the entire block (except for a small Avis car rental facility in the southwest corner that is itself half surface parking), but it is almost entirely surrounded by other parking lots. Consequently, this lot feels like ground zero of the ugly expanse of asphalt that dominates this part of Downtown. What's even more frustrating is that diagonally across the Welton/Broadway intersection from this lot is 1999 Broadway, one of the city's most unique and acclaimed skyscrapers. The good news is that one of those surrounding parking lots is now the construction site for One Lincoln Park, but that still leaves plenty of room for improvement.
This lot's physical condition is appalling. Take a look (expand to view at full size):
It is quite clear that as little investment as possible has been put into this parking lot over the years. The entire block (including the land under the Avis facility) is owned by Allright Parking, a Central Parking Systems company. Central Parking Systems brags on their corporate website that they are the "world's largest parking services provider." So, both of our first two "worst parking lot" candidates are owned or managed by the Wal-Mart of parking lots!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot Candidate #1 - Block 039
Today we'll begin our review of the five most-nominated "worst parking lots" in Downtown Denver. After I've profiled all five, then will have the vote.
Some of the five have physical conditions that are just atrocious. Some have slightly better conditions but have locations that significantly disrupt the flow of Downtown's urban form. Some have both. Needless to say, the five we'll be looking at are just the tip of the iceburg. Almost 30 different parking lots were nominated, and virtually no one ventured into Northeast Downtown (aka Arapahoe Square), that sea of asphalt between 20th and Park Avenue that could easily dominate any "worst parking lot" competition.
Anyway, starting in no particular order, here's our first candidate for Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot: Block 039 in Lower Downtown.
Here's a color aerial:
The property in question is owned by Blecker LLC ("Bleaker" would be more appropriate) and the parking lot is managed by Central Parking Systems. Here's a composite of images from the site (click and expand to view at full size):
The large chunks of loose asphalt are a nice touch, don't you think?
Some of the five have physical conditions that are just atrocious. Some have slightly better conditions but have locations that significantly disrupt the flow of Downtown's urban form. Some have both. Needless to say, the five we'll be looking at are just the tip of the iceburg. Almost 30 different parking lots were nominated, and virtually no one ventured into Northeast Downtown (aka Arapahoe Square), that sea of asphalt between 20th and Park Avenue that could easily dominate any "worst parking lot" competition.
Anyway, starting in no particular order, here's our first candidate for Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot: Block 039 in Lower Downtown.
Here's a color aerial:
The property in question is owned by Blecker LLC ("Bleaker" would be more appropriate) and the parking lot is managed by Central Parking Systems. Here's a composite of images from the site (click and expand to view at full size):
The large chunks of loose asphalt are a nice touch, don't you think?
Monday, June 25, 2007
Demolition Begins on Block 162
Demolition is underway of the old Bank of Denver building on Downtown Denver's Block 162. The former bank building, the Republic Hotel building, and all the surface parking lots on that block have recently been acquired by veteran developer Evan Makovsky, general partner of Shames-Makovsky Realty Company.
Right now, there's a fence around the former Bank of Denver building and some of its facade has been removed. I'll post a few photos once structural demolition begins. The building will take approximately one month to demolish, according to Mr. Makovsky. Soon after the bank building has been razed, demolition of the Republic Hotel building will begin.
Here's a photo of the Bank of Denver building (left) and Republic Hotel (right). These were taken a couple of months ago.
Over the next year or so, Mr. Makovsky will be working with the Downtown Denver Parternship on refining the development plans for the 75,000 SF site. Eventually, the property will be developed into a mixed-use building, likely 1,000,000 SF or more, with potentially hotel, office, retail, and office uses.
Right now, there's a fence around the former Bank of Denver building and some of its facade has been removed. I'll post a few photos once structural demolition begins. The building will take approximately one month to demolish, according to Mr. Makovsky. Soon after the bank building has been razed, demolition of the Republic Hotel building will begin.
Here's a photo of the Bank of Denver building (left) and Republic Hotel (right). These were taken a couple of months ago.
Over the next year or so, Mr. Makovsky will be working with the Downtown Denver Parternship on refining the development plans for the 75,000 SF site. Eventually, the property will be developed into a mixed-use building, likely 1,000,000 SF or more, with potentially hotel, office, retail, and office uses.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Spire Construction Photos
When you're not doing underground parking but structured parking instead, it's amazing how quickly a 41-story tower can begin to rise after the start of construction. It was just in April when the surface parking lot at 14th and Champa was cleared of its asphalt and site work began on Spire. Now, just two months later, take a look at Spire starting to go vertical:
Here's a photo of the tower crane being assembled. Both of these photos were taken on June 14 and are courtesy of the Nichols Partnership.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Here's a photo of the tower crane being assembled. Both of these photos were taken on June 14 and are courtesy of the Nichols Partnership.
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
More Info on Downtown Denver's Block 162
For more information on the announcement of the land assemblage on Block 162, here are two articles by John Rebchook from the Rocky Mountain News: Major Project Unveiled for Key Downtown Block, Block Off 16th Gets Face Lift.
Also, here's a little map showing the parcels assembled. The two buildings not included along the 16th Street Mall are the McClintock Building at 16th and California and the Fontius Building at 16th and Welton.
One of these days we'll hopefully learn of plans to renovate the Fontius Building too. But for now, we're finally able to look forward to the future development of the 75,000 SF site within the yellow box on the map above. Cheers to Mr. Makovsky for his success on beginning the long-awaited transformation of Block 162!
Also, here's a little map showing the parcels assembled. The two buildings not included along the 16th Street Mall are the McClintock Building at 16th and California and the Fontius Building at 16th and Welton.
One of these days we'll hopefully learn of plans to renovate the Fontius Building too. But for now, we're finally able to look forward to the future development of the 75,000 SF site within the yellow box on the map above. Cheers to Mr. Makovsky for his success on beginning the long-awaited transformation of Block 162!
75,000 Square Feet of Contiguous Property in Downtown’s Core Changes Hands
Here's an exciting press announcement released this morning by the Downtown Denver Partnership:
Approximately 75,000 contiguous square feet has changed ownership in an area that serves as a gateway between the Colorado Convention Center and the rest of Downtown Denver. The City & County of Denver and Downtown Denver Partnership are now working with the new land owners, Shames-Makovsky Realty Company, to maximize the potential of the land.
Known as Block 162, this land has long been targeted for redevelopment including exterior building improvements and quality of ground level retail uses. Fragmented property ownership of the block had intimidated developers for many years.
“This is an example of the stars aligning,” said Evan Makovsky, General Partner of Shames-Makovsky Realty Company which has acquired the land. “Business and City leaders have advocated for change in this area, and I commend the property owners for coming forward and working with us.”
“We’re committed to an action agenda relating to vacant and undeveloped properties, poorly-maintained storefronts, deteriorating streetscapes, and 16th Street Mall safety issues,” said Don Hunt, Chair of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s “Revitalizing the Core Task Force”—a group that focuses on improving the quality of the experience in the core of Downtown, and aggressively pushing for change. “We feel very fortunate that Shames-Makovsky Realty Company is willing to incorporate our input on how to leverage the potential of this block.”
“In the last 5 years, Downtown Denver has seen roughly $880 million in public investment, and $790 million in private investment is planned to take place before 2010,” said Kelly Brough, with the City & County of Denver. “The redevelopment of this block will significantly contribute to the experience our visitors and tourists have in our city.”“For years, we’ve remained resolute that this particular block could contribute more to our urban landscape,” said Tami Door, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Those dreams are finally coming to fruition.”
This is great news, something we been eagerly anticipating for a long time! This land assemblage (everything on the block except the two historic buildings facing the 16th Street Mall) will allow a new development to eventually occur on this site and, along with the Hyatt, create a vital pedestrian link between the Convention Center and the 16th Street Mall. Additionally, this could potentially be the catalyst that triggers a "domino effect" along 15th Street that would transform that street into an attractive, pedestrian-friendly, vibrant Downtown street.
A major hurdle in our ongoing revitalization of the Downtown core has been cleared!
Approximately 75,000 contiguous square feet has changed ownership in an area that serves as a gateway between the Colorado Convention Center and the rest of Downtown Denver. The City & County of Denver and Downtown Denver Partnership are now working with the new land owners, Shames-Makovsky Realty Company, to maximize the potential of the land.
Known as Block 162, this land has long been targeted for redevelopment including exterior building improvements and quality of ground level retail uses. Fragmented property ownership of the block had intimidated developers for many years.
“This is an example of the stars aligning,” said Evan Makovsky, General Partner of Shames-Makovsky Realty Company which has acquired the land. “Business and City leaders have advocated for change in this area, and I commend the property owners for coming forward and working with us.”
“We’re committed to an action agenda relating to vacant and undeveloped properties, poorly-maintained storefronts, deteriorating streetscapes, and 16th Street Mall safety issues,” said Don Hunt, Chair of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s “Revitalizing the Core Task Force”—a group that focuses on improving the quality of the experience in the core of Downtown, and aggressively pushing for change. “We feel very fortunate that Shames-Makovsky Realty Company is willing to incorporate our input on how to leverage the potential of this block.”
“In the last 5 years, Downtown Denver has seen roughly $880 million in public investment, and $790 million in private investment is planned to take place before 2010,” said Kelly Brough, with the City & County of Denver. “The redevelopment of this block will significantly contribute to the experience our visitors and tourists have in our city.”“For years, we’ve remained resolute that this particular block could contribute more to our urban landscape,” said Tami Door, President & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Those dreams are finally coming to fruition.”
This is great news, something we been eagerly anticipating for a long time! This land assemblage (everything on the block except the two historic buildings facing the 16th Street Mall) will allow a new development to eventually occur on this site and, along with the Hyatt, create a vital pedestrian link between the Convention Center and the 16th Street Mall. Additionally, this could potentially be the catalyst that triggers a "domino effect" along 15th Street that would transform that street into an attractive, pedestrian-friendly, vibrant Downtown street.
A major hurdle in our ongoing revitalization of the Downtown core has been cleared!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Call for Nominations: Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lot
You all know how much I like to rag on surface parking lots--and for good reason too. In an urban setting, particularly in a downtown, they are hostile to the pedestrian experience, they waste valuable land, and they disrupt the rhythm and scale of the built environment. If London, Paris, Rome, New York, and San Francisco have managed to thrive without them, so can we. With underground/structured parking facilities and a major investment in transit, we'll do just fine.
Unfortunately, Downtown Denver has more than its share of surface parking lots. The good news is we're making steady progress in replacing them with infill developments, but it will be decades before they're all gone. And worse yet, Downtown Denver parking lots are UGLY. The vast majority have no landscaping whatsoever, overhead utility wires, cracked and broken asphalt or concrete, etc. As a community, we have failed to require existing Downtown surface parking lots to adhere to a high aesthetic standard, and the parking lot owners themselves have failed in their civic duty to make their parking lots relatively attractive and places that are not a source of embarrassment to our city.
So, to "honor" those parking lot owners who have taken so little pride in their property, DenverInfill is sponsoring a "Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lots" competition... and you get to participate!
Here's how it works:
1. The geographic limits to this competition is the core Downtown area, as defined by the "red boundary" on my main Downtown Map, where each block is numbered and has its own page. If your parking lot is located outside of that area in one of the Center City neighborhoods, it doesn't qualify.
2. Each person can nominate up to three parking lots. Please identify them by the block number and, if there is more than one parking lot on that block, by the name of the street or corner the parking lot faces. For example: "The parking lot at the corner of 21st and Lawrence on Block 063."
3. Submit your nominations in a "comment" posted to this blog entry. Since many of you post anonymously, you're on the honor system to only submit once.
4. The criteria for what makes for a bad Downtown parking lot should be a combination of aesthetics, condition, and location. How you measure those is up to you.
Nominations will be open until the end of the day Sunday, June 24. Later that week, I'll post a new blog with the top ten nominated parking lots, including a map and photos of each. To that blog entry, you'll get to cast your vote for the worst parking lot in Downtown Denver. The "winner" will receive a special blogging by DenverInfill.
Let the nominations begin!
Unfortunately, Downtown Denver has more than its share of surface parking lots. The good news is we're making steady progress in replacing them with infill developments, but it will be decades before they're all gone. And worse yet, Downtown Denver parking lots are UGLY. The vast majority have no landscaping whatsoever, overhead utility wires, cracked and broken asphalt or concrete, etc. As a community, we have failed to require existing Downtown surface parking lots to adhere to a high aesthetic standard, and the parking lot owners themselves have failed in their civic duty to make their parking lots relatively attractive and places that are not a source of embarrassment to our city.
So, to "honor" those parking lot owners who have taken so little pride in their property, DenverInfill is sponsoring a "Downtown Denver's Worst Parking Lots" competition... and you get to participate!
Here's how it works:
1. The geographic limits to this competition is the core Downtown area, as defined by the "red boundary" on my main Downtown Map, where each block is numbered and has its own page. If your parking lot is located outside of that area in one of the Center City neighborhoods, it doesn't qualify.
2. Each person can nominate up to three parking lots. Please identify them by the block number and, if there is more than one parking lot on that block, by the name of the street or corner the parking lot faces. For example: "The parking lot at the corner of 21st and Lawrence on Block 063."
3. Submit your nominations in a "comment" posted to this blog entry. Since many of you post anonymously, you're on the honor system to only submit once.
4. The criteria for what makes for a bad Downtown parking lot should be a combination of aesthetics, condition, and location. How you measure those is up to you.
Nominations will be open until the end of the day Sunday, June 24. Later that week, I'll post a new blog with the top ten nominated parking lots, including a map and photos of each. To that blog entry, you'll get to cast your vote for the worst parking lot in Downtown Denver. The "winner" will receive a special blogging by DenverInfill.
Let the nominations begin!
One Lincoln Park Construction Photo Update
Here's a photo from today of One Lincoln Park, the 32-story condominium high-rise going up at 20th and Welton. The project is now at Floor 10:
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
816 Acoma: New Rendering
The Hanover Company's 816 Acoma apartment project is slowly climbing to its 16-floor height in Downtown Denver's Golden Triangle district. Since the project was announced, we've had only one rendering of what the project would look like--this one:
The Hanover corporate website is now showing a different perspective of what the new tower will look like. Take a look:
This project, along with 1200 Elati, 1000 Speer, and several other residential tower projects planned for the corridor but outside of the DenverInfill coverage area, will continue the "high-rise row" effect developing along Speer Boulevard between Downtown and Cherry Creek. Now if we could only just get a streetcar line between Downtown and Cherry Creek, we'd be all set. Linking Downtown and Cherry Creek with transit is such a no-brainer, yet the idea has never really gained much momentum. Maybe one of these days...
The Hanover corporate website is now showing a different perspective of what the new tower will look like. Take a look:
This project, along with 1200 Elati, 1000 Speer, and several other residential tower projects planned for the corridor but outside of the DenverInfill coverage area, will continue the "high-rise row" effect developing along Speer Boulevard between Downtown and Cherry Creek. Now if we could only just get a streetcar line between Downtown and Cherry Creek, we'd be all set. Linking Downtown and Cherry Creek with transit is such a no-brainer, yet the idea has never really gained much momentum. Maybe one of these days...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Downtown Denver LoDo Construction Update
Greetings, fellow Downtown Denver fans! Sorry for the recent blog drought, but I've been muy ocupado more than usual this past week.
So, how about a couple of new construction photos? Today, let's look at LoDo:
Sugar3:
The lowest underground parking level is already covered. What you see is next parking level above.
1515 Wynkoop (8 story mixed-use office):
By the way, if you thought the hole they dug for the Sugar3 project was deep, wait until you see what's in store for 1515 Wynkoop. That project will have four levels of underground parking. Sugar3 had three.
1400 Wyknoop (9 and 10 stories, mixed-use office/residential):
Also in LoDo, 1755 Blake and 1800 Larimer should be under construction later this summer. The healing of our Downtown urban environment continues!
So, how about a couple of new construction photos? Today, let's look at LoDo:
Sugar3:
The lowest underground parking level is already covered. What you see is next parking level above.
1515 Wynkoop (8 story mixed-use office):
By the way, if you thought the hole they dug for the Sugar3 project was deep, wait until you see what's in store for 1515 Wynkoop. That project will have four levels of underground parking. Sugar3 had three.
1400 Wyknoop (9 and 10 stories, mixed-use office/residential):
Also in LoDo, 1755 Blake and 1800 Larimer should be under construction later this summer. The healing of our Downtown urban environment continues!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
"1490 Delgany" Re-envisioned as "Komorebi"
Remember the 1490 Delgany proposal? That's the 6-story mixed-use office/residential infill project planned by Urban Market Development for the corner of 15th and Delgany in Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley (see Project #31 on the CPV page). The project was to consist of ground-floor retail, about 100,000 SF of office space on the next four floors, and six residential units on the sixth floor. The project was announced back in 2005 but nothing has happened with it since. Here's a rendering of what was proposed:
Recently, the small one-story building at the site (that would need to be demolished to make way for the project) was given a bright coat of white paint by the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art and is now serving as their short-term home (appropriately named Temporary Contemporary) while they wait for their new building across the street to be finished this Fall.
Recently, the small one-story building at the site (that would need to be demolished to make way for the project) was given a bright coat of white paint by the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art and is now serving as their short-term home (appropriately named Temporary Contemporary) while they wait for their new building across the street to be finished this Fall.
Well, 1490 Delgany is back, but it has a whole new program, look, and name. It's now known as "Komorebi," a Japanese term for the interplay of light and structure. The project's new design is to complement the Museum's modern glass façade with a striking glass façade of its own. Check it out:
The re-envisioned project has also gained a floor, and will consist of 43 residential units. Construction is planned to begin late this year, with completion in 2009. There's also a new website for the Komorebi project: www.komorebidenver.com. My thanks to Len for getting the scoop on this exciting development.
Architecturally, I find the new design an improvement over the original. The 1490 Delgany design had some of that "neo-LoDo" look to it that we've seen so much of over the past few years. The new design has a more compelling modern quality to it that should, indeed, interplay nicely with the David Adjaye-designed Museum. Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley just keeps getting better and better!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Monday, June 04, 2007
New Street-Level Space to Enliven 17th & Arapahoe
Over the past month or so, a number of you have asked me... "What's going on at the corner of 17th and Arapahoe?" You've been curious about the demolition of the rather unengaging entry structure and elevated plaza component of the former Qwest tower at 1005 17th Street on Block 096 in Downtown Denver. You know, this building here:
Here's what it looked like as of about ten days ago:
Last December, Qwest sold the building to Miller Global Properties, which is in the process of renovating the building for a post-Qwest future. Part of that renovation includes demolishing the short structure facing 17th Street and replacing it with a new street-level lobby, restaurant and retail space. The property is also now going by the address of 1001 17th Street.
I haven't yet been able to obtain from Miller Global any specifics about the new entry project, such as square footage, perspective tenants, schedule, etc. but, thanks to a buddy of mine who managed to track down a rendering, I'm able to at least show you what it will look like (Barber Architecture of Denver did the design):
Whatever the details may be, the new structure will certainly be an improvement over the original in terms of its relationship to the pedestrian and providing visually interesting and active uses along the sidewalk. This type of project is also nicely consistent with the recommendations of the new Downtown Area Plan, which identified the blank-wall façades of many of our '70s and '80s office towers as a hindrance to Downtown vitality. In the future, we're likely to see more Downtown office owners reconfigure and remodel their buildings' plazas and street-level façades with pedestrian-active uses in order to remain competitive with the many new office projects under development throughout Downtown Denver.
Here's what it looked like as of about ten days ago:
Last December, Qwest sold the building to Miller Global Properties, which is in the process of renovating the building for a post-Qwest future. Part of that renovation includes demolishing the short structure facing 17th Street and replacing it with a new street-level lobby, restaurant and retail space. The property is also now going by the address of 1001 17th Street.
I haven't yet been able to obtain from Miller Global any specifics about the new entry project, such as square footage, perspective tenants, schedule, etc. but, thanks to a buddy of mine who managed to track down a rendering, I'm able to at least show you what it will look like (Barber Architecture of Denver did the design):
Whatever the details may be, the new structure will certainly be an improvement over the original in terms of its relationship to the pedestrian and providing visually interesting and active uses along the sidewalk. This type of project is also nicely consistent with the recommendations of the new Downtown Area Plan, which identified the blank-wall façades of many of our '70s and '80s office towers as a hindrance to Downtown vitality. In the future, we're likely to see more Downtown office owners reconfigure and remodel their buildings' plazas and street-level façades with pedestrian-active uses in order to remain competitive with the many new office projects under development throughout Downtown Denver.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Grocery Store Planned for Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley
Hey, Downtown Denver fans, I have some exciting news for you! The Nichols Partnership, the LoDo-based developer of Spire, the 41-story condominium tower currently under construction at 14th and Champa, is planning a grocery store-anchored mixed use project at 19th and Chestnut behind Downtown Denver's historic Union Station.
Nichols (dba Centennial Chestnut, LLC) closed on the land on May 9, 2007, paying $14.26 million for approximately 140,000 square feet of dirt. The property covers roughly 95% of the block bounded by 19th, Chestnut, 20th, and Wewatta. The seller was Trillium Commons, LLC.
While still early in the planning stages, the project is envisioned to include a full-service grocery store (possibly a King Soopers) on the ground floor plus approximately 16,000 square feet of additional retail space. The project may also include as many as 200 residential units, although a determination has not yet been made if those would be for-sale or rental units. The project may also include a hotel and/or office space. One level of parking would likely be placed underground, with several levels of structured parking located in the center of the project and wrapped by the residential and other uses.
If all goes as planned, construction of the unnamed project would begin in 2008 with completion set for 2010. No rendering or other design details are available yet as the project is still early in the design process and subject to change as the development program is refined over the coming months.
What better way to kick off the new month but with news of another major infill project for Downtown!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
Nichols (dba Centennial Chestnut, LLC) closed on the land on May 9, 2007, paying $14.26 million for approximately 140,000 square feet of dirt. The property covers roughly 95% of the block bounded by 19th, Chestnut, 20th, and Wewatta. The seller was Trillium Commons, LLC.
While still early in the planning stages, the project is envisioned to include a full-service grocery store (possibly a King Soopers) on the ground floor plus approximately 16,000 square feet of additional retail space. The project may also include as many as 200 residential units, although a determination has not yet been made if those would be for-sale or rental units. The project may also include a hotel and/or office space. One level of parking would likely be placed underground, with several levels of structured parking located in the center of the project and wrapped by the residential and other uses.
If all goes as planned, construction of the unnamed project would begin in 2008 with completion set for 2010. No rendering or other design details are available yet as the project is still early in the design process and subject to change as the development program is refined over the coming months.
What better way to kick off the new month but with news of another major infill project for Downtown!
Downtown Denver: Rebuilding the Core.
