Sunday, November 25, 2007
Introducing DenverInfill's New Central Platte Valley District Page
I'm happy to announce that I've just uploaded a major upgrade to DenverInfill's Central Platte Valley district page.
Previously, all of Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley infill projects were described on a single page and their locations identified on a single aerial photo that covered the whole area from 15th to 20th Streets and Interstate 25 to Wewatta Street. There are so many infill developments in this area (over 30) that the resulting aerial photo map was covered with project numbers at a scale that made it somewhat difficult to clearly discern the many projects' exact locations. To see what I mean, view the "old" CPV page here.
Now, the Central Platte Valley district has been divided into four subareas, each with its own page, plus a main CPV district overview page. Each project site is now also identified with a yellow box, similar to how the Downtown infill projects are displayed, to make it easier to understand the location of each new CPV development. In addition, since all of the Central Platte Valley has been master planned and is already divided into development parcels, I've also added project sections for all CPV development sites--even if there's no active proposal there now--so that when a new project is announced, its site is already identified on DenverInfill.
Finally, I've broken from tradition and used newer 2004 color aerial photos for the base aerial images. Doing so is particularly useful for the CPV, as much of the district's infrastructure didn't exist when the black-and-white 2000 aerials, used throughout the rest of DenverInfill, were taken.
I hope you like the upgrade to the CPV district page and that it will allow you to more easily keep track of all those great urban infill projects sprouting up in Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley!
Previously, all of Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley infill projects were described on a single page and their locations identified on a single aerial photo that covered the whole area from 15th to 20th Streets and Interstate 25 to Wewatta Street. There are so many infill developments in this area (over 30) that the resulting aerial photo map was covered with project numbers at a scale that made it somewhat difficult to clearly discern the many projects' exact locations. To see what I mean, view the "old" CPV page here.
Now, the Central Platte Valley district has been divided into four subareas, each with its own page, plus a main CPV district overview page. Each project site is now also identified with a yellow box, similar to how the Downtown infill projects are displayed, to make it easier to understand the location of each new CPV development. In addition, since all of the Central Platte Valley has been master planned and is already divided into development parcels, I've also added project sections for all CPV development sites--even if there's no active proposal there now--so that when a new project is announced, its site is already identified on DenverInfill.
Finally, I've broken from tradition and used newer 2004 color aerial photos for the base aerial images. Doing so is particularly useful for the CPV, as much of the district's infrastructure didn't exist when the black-and-white 2000 aerials, used throughout the rest of DenverInfill, were taken.
I hope you like the upgrade to the CPV district page and that it will allow you to more easily keep track of all those great urban infill projects sprouting up in Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley!
1401 Lawrence Sales Center Opens
Recently, the $1.2 million sales center for the 51-story 1401 Lawrence condo tower on Downtown Denver's Block 070 opened. The sales center, which sits at the corner of 14th and Lawrence where the tower will be built, features a fully furnished 2,500 SF model residential unit, a video screen with floorplans and views from every unit, and one very cool model of the high rise. All of this will stay in place until December 2008, when the sales center will be removed and construction will begin on the tower. For some background information, here's the press release about the sales center opening.
And now, some photos of the model:
The tower is essentially all glass. Even the base, which holds the structured parking, will be clad with iridescent glass panels. The 1401 Lawrence tower will have a dramatic impact on Denver's skyline and will greatly contribute to the densification of Downtown.
Many thanks to Tracy Aiello of JohnstonWells Public Relations and Gary Switzer of Great Gulf Group for the excellent tour and the chance to photograph the model.
And now, some photos of the model:
The tower is essentially all glass. Even the base, which holds the structured parking, will be clad with iridescent glass panels. The 1401 Lawrence tower will have a dramatic impact on Denver's skyline and will greatly contribute to the densification of Downtown.
Many thanks to Tracy Aiello of JohnstonWells Public Relations and Gary Switzer of Great Gulf Group for the excellent tour and the chance to photograph the model.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Yet Another Construction Crane in LoDo
Today workers began assembling the tower crane for the 1755 Blake project on Block 21 in Lower Downtown Denver. This makes four cranes rising above the LoDo skyline--all within a few blocks of each other. Early in 2008 we should see three more cranes added along LoDo's edge for the 1800 Larimer, 1900 16th Street, and Four Seasons projects. What a cool time for Lower Downtown!
Here are a few photos of the 1755 Blake crane going up. First, the tower section and operator's cab in place:
Assembly of the jib (cross arm) section on Blake Street:
The 35-foot deep hole for the underground parking:
Workers tightening the connections up high on the tower:
Isn't this much more exciting than a parking lot?
Here are a few photos of the 1755 Blake crane going up. First, the tower section and operator's cab in place:
Assembly of the jib (cross arm) section on Blake Street:
The 35-foot deep hole for the underground parking:
Workers tightening the connections up high on the tower:
Isn't this much more exciting than a parking lot?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Denver Four Seasons Construction Progress
Construction is moving along quickly at Downtown Denver's 45-story Four Seasons Hotel and Residences project. Here's a photo from a few days ago:
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Downtown Denver: Block 162 Update
Demolition of the dilapidated Republic Hotel and Bank of Denver buildings on Downtown Denver's Block 162 is complete and the site has been all cleaned up in preparation for its interim and permanent future uses:
You may recall that back in September, the Downtown Denver Partnership was asking people to submit creative ideas for interim uses for the vacant lots where the two buildings used to be. Hopefully, we'll hear something about that in the near future. I did notice that two original storefront columns from the former Republic Hotel building were conspicuously left standing along the California Street sidewalk. I wonder what that could be all about?
Regarding the future permanent use of the rest of Block 162, last week the Urban Land Institute expert panel hired by owner/developer Evan Makovsky was in town to check out the site and gather information. Mr. Makovsky will use the ULI panel's recommendations in the shaping of the ultimate redevelopment plan for the site.
Meanwhile, renovation work on the historic Fontius building at 16th and Welton has begun! The most noticeable changes so far have been the removal of the distinctive blue Fontius signs from the building's Welton and 16th Street façades, and the removal of the nasty awning that used to overhang the sidewalk at the corner:
So what will happen to the old Fontius signs? For now, they will be sent to a sign company for a complete restoration. Then, after that... Evan's not saying! I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I spotted the signs laying inside one of the empty storefronts, awaiting their trip to the restoration shop, so I took this shot through the window:
Speaking of signs, with the "Denver Wigs" sign now also gone, it is easy to see the ghost of the old Dave Cook's sign that occupied the spot before. In my Inside the Fontius special feature, I've got a couple of photos of the old Dave Cook's Sporting Goods space in the basement of the building.
Finally, work on the building isn't limited to the exterior. Workers are busy on the interior too, clearing out junk that's been sitting around for decades and starting some interior demolition as well. Here's one of the former Fontius Shoes front retail area:
It will be fascinating to watch this building be transformed--finally!--into a beautiful, active member of the Downtown streetscape.
You may recall that back in September, the Downtown Denver Partnership was asking people to submit creative ideas for interim uses for the vacant lots where the two buildings used to be. Hopefully, we'll hear something about that in the near future. I did notice that two original storefront columns from the former Republic Hotel building were conspicuously left standing along the California Street sidewalk. I wonder what that could be all about?
Regarding the future permanent use of the rest of Block 162, last week the Urban Land Institute expert panel hired by owner/developer Evan Makovsky was in town to check out the site and gather information. Mr. Makovsky will use the ULI panel's recommendations in the shaping of the ultimate redevelopment plan for the site.
Meanwhile, renovation work on the historic Fontius building at 16th and Welton has begun! The most noticeable changes so far have been the removal of the distinctive blue Fontius signs from the building's Welton and 16th Street façades, and the removal of the nasty awning that used to overhang the sidewalk at the corner:
So what will happen to the old Fontius signs? For now, they will be sent to a sign company for a complete restoration. Then, after that... Evan's not saying! I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I spotted the signs laying inside one of the empty storefronts, awaiting their trip to the restoration shop, so I took this shot through the window:
Speaking of signs, with the "Denver Wigs" sign now also gone, it is easy to see the ghost of the old Dave Cook's sign that occupied the spot before. In my Inside the Fontius special feature, I've got a couple of photos of the old Dave Cook's Sporting Goods space in the basement of the building.
Finally, work on the building isn't limited to the exterior. Workers are busy on the interior too, clearing out junk that's been sitting around for decades and starting some interior demolition as well. Here's one of the former Fontius Shoes front retail area:
It will be fascinating to watch this building be transformed--finally!--into a beautiful, active member of the Downtown streetscape.
A Few More LoDo / CPV Project Photos
Two days ago I posted a couple of photos of some Lower Downtown and Central Platte Valley projects. Here are a couple more:
Work is moving along quickly on 1900 16th Street, the 17-story office building and parking garage project being developed by Trammell Crow next to the Millennium Bridge. Seems like just a few days ago the groundbreaking was held; now, site excavation is well underway:
Also, I hadn't yet taken a final "completed project" photo of Denver's new Museum of Contemporary Art building, so here it is:
It's a very cool building, and it really doesn't have a front door!
Finally, the new steps on the west side of the Millennium Bridge are almost finished. Looks like it could reopen possibly later this week.
Work is moving along quickly on 1900 16th Street, the 17-story office building and parking garage project being developed by Trammell Crow next to the Millennium Bridge. Seems like just a few days ago the groundbreaking was held; now, site excavation is well underway:
Also, I hadn't yet taken a final "completed project" photo of Denver's new Museum of Contemporary Art building, so here it is:
It's a very cool building, and it really doesn't have a front door!
Finally, the new steps on the west side of the Millennium Bridge are almost finished. Looks like it could reopen possibly later this week.
1001 17th Street Construction Update
As reported back in June, the former Qwest tower at 17th and Arapahoe on Block 096 in Downtown Denver is undergoing a complete renovation, including the reconstruction of a new lobby and retail space along the tower's 17th Street side. The new addition is making progress, with exterior glass now being installed. Here's a photo from this weekend:
The new space will be a welcome addition to the pedestrian environment along 17th Street. The project is being developed by Miller Global Properties, the building's new owner.
The new space will be a welcome addition to the pedestrian environment along 17th Street. The project is being developed by Miller Global Properties, the building's new owner.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Tower Crane Now Up for 1515 Wynkoop
There's yet another construction crane now towering over LoDo! After digging a mighty big hole at the corner of Wynkoop and 15th, Hines is getting ready to go vertical with its 1515 Wynkoop project on Block 013. Here's the evidence:
While we're at it, how about a quickie update on the other two LoDo projects (I did SugarCube last week). Here's 1400 Wewatta (this is the Wynkoop side of the project):
And here's 1755 Blake which, you'll note in the picture, is getting ready to put their own tower crane up soon:
Isn't all this Downtown construction exciting?!
While we're at it, how about a quickie update on the other two LoDo projects (I did SugarCube last week). Here's 1400 Wewatta (this is the Wynkoop side of the project):
And here's 1755 Blake which, you'll note in the picture, is getting ready to put their own tower crane up soon:
Isn't all this Downtown construction exciting?!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Colorado History Museum: New Home in Denver's Civic Center Park?
In case you haven't been following the issue in the papers recently, the State of Colorado is proposing to relocate the Colorado History Museum to Denver's Civic Center Park. The plan has its roots back in 2005 when it was first revealed that the State was considering building a new Justice Center on Block 025-B that would necessitate the relocation of the Colorado History Museum to a new location somewhere in the Civic Center area. Since then, various sites have been discussed, and I've periodically blogged about the issue. Recently, the State has come forward with a favored location that seems to be gaining traction with the City too. Today I'm going to weigh in on the issue.
The proposal is to build the new Colorado History Museum within Denver's Civic Center Park at the northeast corner of 14th and Bannock--across Bannock from the City and County Building and across 14th Avenue from the Denver Art Museum’s Ponti building. The Civic Center Park site is the State's preferred location of three finalist sites: the other two being the vacant Denver Permit Center at the southwest corner of Bannock and 14th on Block 022-E, and the State-owned parking lot at the northeast corner of Lincoln and Colfax on Block 028-B where the State also has tentative plans to construct a new state office building.
The primary argument against the two non-preferred locations is that their configurations result in building footprints that would not be ideal for the Museum's planned program and floorplan layout. While the parcel at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln is owned by the State, the State has plans to build a new office building there, and integrating the museum into the office project is problematic. The issue with the Denver Permit Center location is that, not only is the shape of the site not ideal, but also the State would need to acquire additional privately-owned property on the block that is not necessarily for sale and/or would be available only at extremely high cost. Thus, we're left with the Civic Center Park site that has been debated over the past several weeks.
The Civic Center Park location would result in a new above-ground structure with essentially the same size footprint, about 19,000 SF, as the historic Carnegie Library (now the City's McNichols Building) at the northwest corner of the park where the Denver Revenue Department offices are housed. The main exhibit space for the Museum would be located underground between the two structures. Here are a couple of images, taken from the CHM's website, showing the configuration (the proposed building is on the left in both diagrams):
One of the benefits of locating the museum in Civic Center Park is that the State won't have to purchase the land. That doesn't mean it's free--Denver's not just going to let the State use their land for nothing--but part of the deal is that the State would renovate and restore the City's historic McNichols Building to allow it to become a new Denver Cultural Center facility. The City doesn't have any money to renovate McNichols, so in exchange for the right to build on City land, the State will pay to upgrade the City's building. The new Denver Cultural Center would then be linked underground to the new CHM, with both entities having the opportunity to share each other's facilities.
Another positive attribute of the Civic Center Park site is the proposed State-City partnership. After many years of frosty relationships between the two governments during the Webb/Owens administrations, it's refreshing to see the two entities finally engaging in a dialog about the character of the Civic Center/Capitol Complex area; the fiasco that is the new State Parking Garage at the corner of Lincoln and 14th being a prime example of the State's general lack of attention to good urban design, savvy real estate development, and cooperation with the City on urban planning issues.
One of the other arguments that has been put forward in favor of the Civic Center Park site is that the museum will help activate the park. While the museum's presence is unlikely to reduce activity in the park, I'm skeptical of the degree to which it will really help enliven the park. The 1995-built central Denver Public Library building, the recently completed Denver Art Museum Hamilton building, and the other notable developments in the area like the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building and Denver Newspaper Agency Building have all done little to change the usage, vitality, and constituency of Civic Center Park. My view is that the museum's presence may only marginally improve the park's vitality and that the only thing that will truly transform Civic Center Park into a great urban space (beyond better maintenance and policing) is the introduction of about 5,000 residential units within a few blocks of the park's perimeter.
Another aspect of the proposed Civic Center Park site that people have been promoting is that the 1918 Edward Bennett plan for Civic Center shows the placement of a building in the southwest corner of the park, mirroring the McNichols Building across the park's east-west axis. I'm a big fan of the City Beautiful era and plan symmetry and all that, but just because someone nearly a hundred years ago thought that a building at that location was a good idea then, doesn't mean that it makes sense today. We need to determine if a building placed in that corner of the park is the best choice under our current 2007 situation. If it does, great. But let's not promote a $100 million decision based on feel-good nostalgia for an unfulfilled century-old plan. There are all sorts of plans out there, such as the 1960s proposal to put an expressway lined with modernist high-rises along Market Street through the heart of LoDo, that have never been realized. Would we really want to implement that plan today, simply because it remains unimplemented?
In the end, I'm leaning in favor of the Civic Center Park site proposal. I think the financial win-win deal for the State and City is compelling, plus, putting a museum in a park is a pretty standard land use decision that is unlikely to spawn negative results. I'm not too concerned about the criticism that the museum would take away valuable green space in the park. The surface parking lot that currently exists immediately south of the McNichols Building would be removed as part of the plan, which essentially offsets the loss of lawn to the museum's footprint. Also, the plan includes the removal of a traffic lane along both Bannock and 14th, adding more green space to the park and making that part of the Civic Center Park area more pedestrian friendly. There are certainly good arguments both for and against this proposal, but right now I say, let's move this proposal forward.
For additional perspectives on the matter, here are two articles that recently appeared in the Denver Post in a pro/con format: Leave It/Use It. The Rocky has also had several articles on the issue, including this feature by Mary Voelz Chandler that focuses more on the reuse of the old Carnegie Library as a cultural center, and this article that announced the CHM's plans.
So, what do you think? Put the museum in the park, or locate it elsewhere in the Civic Center area?
The proposal is to build the new Colorado History Museum within Denver's Civic Center Park at the northeast corner of 14th and Bannock--across Bannock from the City and County Building and across 14th Avenue from the Denver Art Museum’s Ponti building. The Civic Center Park site is the State's preferred location of three finalist sites: the other two being the vacant Denver Permit Center at the southwest corner of Bannock and 14th on Block 022-E, and the State-owned parking lot at the northeast corner of Lincoln and Colfax on Block 028-B where the State also has tentative plans to construct a new state office building.
The primary argument against the two non-preferred locations is that their configurations result in building footprints that would not be ideal for the Museum's planned program and floorplan layout. While the parcel at the corner of Colfax and Lincoln is owned by the State, the State has plans to build a new office building there, and integrating the museum into the office project is problematic. The issue with the Denver Permit Center location is that, not only is the shape of the site not ideal, but also the State would need to acquire additional privately-owned property on the block that is not necessarily for sale and/or would be available only at extremely high cost. Thus, we're left with the Civic Center Park site that has been debated over the past several weeks.
The Civic Center Park location would result in a new above-ground structure with essentially the same size footprint, about 19,000 SF, as the historic Carnegie Library (now the City's McNichols Building) at the northwest corner of the park where the Denver Revenue Department offices are housed. The main exhibit space for the Museum would be located underground between the two structures. Here are a couple of images, taken from the CHM's website, showing the configuration (the proposed building is on the left in both diagrams):
One of the benefits of locating the museum in Civic Center Park is that the State won't have to purchase the land. That doesn't mean it's free--Denver's not just going to let the State use their land for nothing--but part of the deal is that the State would renovate and restore the City's historic McNichols Building to allow it to become a new Denver Cultural Center facility. The City doesn't have any money to renovate McNichols, so in exchange for the right to build on City land, the State will pay to upgrade the City's building. The new Denver Cultural Center would then be linked underground to the new CHM, with both entities having the opportunity to share each other's facilities.
Another positive attribute of the Civic Center Park site is the proposed State-City partnership. After many years of frosty relationships between the two governments during the Webb/Owens administrations, it's refreshing to see the two entities finally engaging in a dialog about the character of the Civic Center/Capitol Complex area; the fiasco that is the new State Parking Garage at the corner of Lincoln and 14th being a prime example of the State's general lack of attention to good urban design, savvy real estate development, and cooperation with the City on urban planning issues.
One of the other arguments that has been put forward in favor of the Civic Center Park site is that the museum will help activate the park. While the museum's presence is unlikely to reduce activity in the park, I'm skeptical of the degree to which it will really help enliven the park. The 1995-built central Denver Public Library building, the recently completed Denver Art Museum Hamilton building, and the other notable developments in the area like the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building and Denver Newspaper Agency Building have all done little to change the usage, vitality, and constituency of Civic Center Park. My view is that the museum's presence may only marginally improve the park's vitality and that the only thing that will truly transform Civic Center Park into a great urban space (beyond better maintenance and policing) is the introduction of about 5,000 residential units within a few blocks of the park's perimeter.
Another aspect of the proposed Civic Center Park site that people have been promoting is that the 1918 Edward Bennett plan for Civic Center shows the placement of a building in the southwest corner of the park, mirroring the McNichols Building across the park's east-west axis. I'm a big fan of the City Beautiful era and plan symmetry and all that, but just because someone nearly a hundred years ago thought that a building at that location was a good idea then, doesn't mean that it makes sense today. We need to determine if a building placed in that corner of the park is the best choice under our current 2007 situation. If it does, great. But let's not promote a $100 million decision based on feel-good nostalgia for an unfulfilled century-old plan. There are all sorts of plans out there, such as the 1960s proposal to put an expressway lined with modernist high-rises along Market Street through the heart of LoDo, that have never been realized. Would we really want to implement that plan today, simply because it remains unimplemented?
In the end, I'm leaning in favor of the Civic Center Park site proposal. I think the financial win-win deal for the State and City is compelling, plus, putting a museum in a park is a pretty standard land use decision that is unlikely to spawn negative results. I'm not too concerned about the criticism that the museum would take away valuable green space in the park. The surface parking lot that currently exists immediately south of the McNichols Building would be removed as part of the plan, which essentially offsets the loss of lawn to the museum's footprint. Also, the plan includes the removal of a traffic lane along both Bannock and 14th, adding more green space to the park and making that part of the Civic Center Park area more pedestrian friendly. There are certainly good arguments both for and against this proposal, but right now I say, let's move this proposal forward.
For additional perspectives on the matter, here are two articles that recently appeared in the Denver Post in a pro/con format: Leave It/Use It. The Rocky has also had several articles on the issue, including this feature by Mary Voelz Chandler that focuses more on the reuse of the old Carnegie Library as a cultural center, and this article that announced the CHM's plans.
So, what do you think? Put the museum in the park, or locate it elsewhere in the Civic Center area?
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Site Cleared for Jefferson Park Spanos Project
The Chile Pepper and Baby Doe's restaurant buildings sitting on the bluff overlooking I-25 just north of Mile High Stadium are G-O-N-E! Yep, the two structures have been demolished. The site has been cleared in anticipation of the proposed Pinnacle Station project by the Spanos Company. While I was not in favor of the design of this project, I do support the redevelopment of the site to a higher and better use. Hopefully, the demolition means that construction of the project will occur soon. I'd rather have a mediocre project move forward than have a site cleared and then sit vacant for years. Despite the suburban nature of the Pinnacle Station design, it will add a big boost of vitality to Downtown Denver's Jefferson Park district.
Congrats to the MCA|D!
I wasn't able to attend the grand opening this past weekend, but the completion of the new Museum of Contemporary Art-Denver building at 15th and Delgany was a great moment for Downtown Denver!
Next up: the demolition of the existing one-story building, the Museum's brief home called Temporary Contemporary, across Delgany from the new MCA-D to make way for the proposed Komorebi project--a great addition to Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district.
Next up: the demolition of the existing one-story building, the Museum's brief home called Temporary Contemporary, across Delgany from the new MCA-D to make way for the proposed Komorebi project--a great addition to Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district.
