Monday, January 28, 2008
More Downtown Construction Update Photos
This month I've been working on posting updated photos of all active Downtown-area infill projects, plus upgrading the various Downtown district pages. To that end, in addition to finishing the Capitol Hill page yesterday, I also just completed the upgrade to the Golden Triangle district page too.
Also, here are a couple of additional new project update photos:
Zi Lofts at Park Avenue West and Blake Street:
2101 Market on Block 036:
Coming up soon... City Park West and Uptown.
Also, here are a couple of additional new project update photos:
Zi Lofts at Park Avenue West and Blake Street:
2101 Market on Block 036:
Coming up soon... City Park West and Uptown.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
New Curtis Park-Five Points Project: Trellis
There's a new infill project planned for Downtown Denver's Curtis Park-Five Points district: Trellis. The project will be located near the corner of 26th and Lawrence (2523 Lawrence, officially) and feature 11 townhomes starting at $600k. For more information, including floorplans and other details, take a look at the project website: www.visitTRELLIS.com.
Here are some renderings and a site plan, courtesy of the firm marketing the project, Classic New Home Sales:
February 8 Update: Thanks to Chris at in situ Design, the architects of Trellis, here's an additional rendering:
Trellis is being developed by New Communities.
Here are some renderings and a site plan, courtesy of the firm marketing the project, Classic New Home Sales:
February 8 Update: Thanks to Chris at in situ Design, the architects of Trellis, here's an additional rendering:
Trellis is being developed by New Communities.
Capitol Hill Infill Updates
Here are some new infill project photos for Downtown Denver's Capitol Hill district. Thank you to Nathan for the images!
Strada Flats (completed):
Pearl Street Victoriana (completed):
Quality Hill Townes (under construction):
Argonaut Liquors (site prep):
These four images have also been added to the new Capitol Hill page. That's right, I've just upgraded Capitol Hill to the new color format. In addition, I've eliminated the portion of Capitol Hill east of Downing. Not only does that allow the Capitol Hill aerial photo to be presented at twice the scale, but there have been very few projects on that side of the district and I want to keep things focused closer to Downtown.
Strada Flats (completed):
Pearl Street Victoriana (completed):
Quality Hill Townes (under construction):
Argonaut Liquors (site prep):
These four images have also been added to the new Capitol Hill page. That's right, I've just upgraded Capitol Hill to the new color format. In addition, I've eliminated the portion of Capitol Hill east of Downing. Not only does that allow the Capitol Hill aerial photo to be presented at twice the scale, but there have been very few projects on that side of the district and I want to keep things focused closer to Downtown.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Highland, Prospect District Page Upgrades
I've just completed an upgrade of the Highland and Prospect district pages, which join Jefferson Park, Auraria, Central Platte Valley, and Ballpark in having the new look. Like the CPV, I've broken Highland up into subareas which allows the aerial photos with the project locations to be at a much larger scale than before. While I've been upgrading these City Center district pages, I've also been adding updated construction photos, new projects, etc.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Park Avenue Hope VI Project Begins Next Phase
The redevelopment of the former East Village public housing complex in Downtown Denver's Uptown/Curtis Park districts is under construction with its next phase. The first phase of new construction occurred on what the Denver Housing Authority identifies as Block 1--the odd-shaped block bounded by Park Avenue, Court Place, Washington Street, and Cleveland Place. That first phase wrapped up in 2007. Here are a couple of photos of the completed Block 1 phase:
Now under construction is DHA's Block 3, the city block bounded by Park Avenue, Tremont Place, 24th Street, and Court Place. Block 3 will contain 93 mixed-income rental units and 32 market-rate for-sale units in a series of 3-, 4-, and 5-story buildings. Here are renderings of Block 3 courtesy of Studio Completiva, the project architect.
And finally, here's a recent photo of construction at the site (thanks, Nathan):
After Block 3, construction will cross over to the Uptown side of Park Avenue, where Blocks 4 and 5 will include 388 units.
Now under construction is DHA's Block 3, the city block bounded by Park Avenue, Tremont Place, 24th Street, and Court Place. Block 3 will contain 93 mixed-income rental units and 32 market-rate for-sale units in a series of 3-, 4-, and 5-story buildings. Here are renderings of Block 3 courtesy of Studio Completiva, the project architect.
And finally, here's a recent photo of construction at the site (thanks, Nathan):
After Block 3, construction will cross over to the Uptown side of Park Avenue, where Blocks 4 and 5 will include 388 units.
Uptown Apartments - New Information
Yesterday I speculated that the Uptown Apartments project in Downtown Denver's Uptown district had started construction and that I was hoping to get more information, including a rendering, soon. Well, thanks to Vicki from Uptown who is a regular DenverInfill contributor, we have plenty of new information about the project. Here is a PDF of an article about the project from the January 2008 issue of Neighborhood Life, the local newspaper that covers the area, written by Vanessa Martin.
The project has indeed started construction, with completion scheduled for late Spring 2009. Along with the East Village redevelopment, Welton Place, One Lincoln Park, and 1915 Logan, that whole Park Avenue/Welton/20th Avenue area is densifying nicely!
The project has indeed started construction, with completion scheduled for late Spring 2009. Along with the East Village redevelopment, Welton Place, One Lincoln Park, and 1915 Logan, that whole Park Avenue/Welton/20th Avenue area is densifying nicely!
Yet Another Tower Crane Over Downtown Denver
Are you ready for another tower crane to loom above the Denver skyline? I hope so, because Swinerton, the general contractor building the 45-story Four Seasons project on Block 074, has a street closure permit for 14th Street to erect the Four Seasons tower crane starting tomorrow (Friday) morning and running through early Monday morning.
Looks like the tower crane will be red!
Looks like the tower crane will be red!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
New Capitol Hill Project: Argonaut Liquors
Several of you have asked me, "What's going on at the corner of Colfax and Clarkson?" The answer is... a new Argonaut Liquor store! The Downtown Denver institution of 50-plus years is constructing a new building. The new Argonaut will shift over a half block to the corner of Colfax and Clarkson where a parking lot and a former small restaurant building was located. The new building should be finished in October. Here's an article by John Rebchook of the Rocky Mountain News about the new project, and here are a couple of renderings of the new building:
New 1755 Blake Rendering
The other day I blogged about the updated design of Lower Downtown Denver's 1755 Blake project and promised a higher-resolution image. Well, here you go:
Spire Construction Back on Track!
Great news, Downtown Denver fans! Construction on the Nichols Partnership's 41-story Spire project on Block 131 will resume, starting tomorrow. Here's the press release just minutes old:
SPIRE RESUMES CONSTRUCTION WITH NEW CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Denver’s Signature High-Rise Residential Community Back on Track
Denver, CO January 23rd, 2008 - Spire Denver, LLC announced today that it closed on financing for Spire, a $175 million mixed-use 41-story high-rise residential community, located at 891 14th Street. The project’s general contractor JE Dunn will re-commence construction on January 24th with a projected delivery in December 2009. Spire will include 503 attainably priced one and two bedroom homes and 7,633 square feet of street-level retail space. Randy Nichols, President of the Nichols Partnership and the Developer of Spire remarked, “In light of the current state of the capital markets, this financing is a significant accomplishment for the entire Spire team and is further affirmation that downtown Denver continues to be among the select markets that attract nationwide attention from major lending institutions for investment in urban housing.”
Steve Hamline, President and CEO of JE Dunn Construction added, “In my 28 years of experience I have never seen such extraordinary commitment and team collaboration. To keep the project moving forward during such turbulent financial markets is truly amazing. JE Dunn has an unwavering belief in the Nichols Partnership and with the cooperation of our subcontractors we are proud to restart construction of this signature project for our city.”
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper applauded the announcement, “Spire is an important project for Denver – adding hundreds of new downtown residents, further enhancing the 14th Street corridor’s urban vibrancy, and taking green building to new heights. This exciting development bodes well for the future of Downtown Denver’s residential housing market.” Tami Door, President and CEO of The Downtown Denver Partnership remarked, “We have always had a high level of confidence in the developer’s ability to complete this project and the marketability of the units. This is a transformational addition to Downtown and to 14th Street in particular. We are absolutely thrilled to see the project moving forward and are excited about the added housing choices it will provide to individuals considering living Downtown.”
The senior construction loan was provided by Corus Bank, with Colonnade Properties and Madison Capital Company providing mezzanine debt, along with Fisher Capital providing key subordinate debt for the project. Corus has worked closely with Nichols Partnership to close this loan. “Corus is proud to continue lending to experienced developers on well-positioned condominium developments throughout the country. We look forward to working with Randy and the rest of his team on this exciting project,” said Seth Hewitt, Corus Bank Vice President.
When complete, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered project will combine exceptional views, amenities and location with sustainable design. Spire residents will be steps away from the commerce, culture, sporting events and nightlife of Denver. Homeowners will take advantage of abundant amenities such as a resort style pool deck with outdoor living room, spas and fire pit as well as poolside clubroom with high definition televisions and pool tables. Residents will also enjoy the convenience of a first-class fitness center, 24/7 concierge, grocery and dry-cleaning storage, private dog walk, controlled access and secure reserved parking.
Homes at Spire will enhance the urban living experience with modern design including floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain and city views, balconies, soaring 10-foot ceilings, contemporary kitchens with granite slab countertops, stainless steel appliances and extensive high-tech features. “With residences priced from $200,000, Spire is ideally positioned to provide our owners with a unique opportunity to live in a sustainably-designed, amenity-rich project at an attainable price,” said Randy Nichols, president of Nichols Partnership. “Downtown Denver is a vibrant, exciting place to work, live and play… Spire will enable many more people to experience this dynamic urban lifestyle.”
Spire is located at 891 14th Street adjacent to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Denver Convention Center, a RTD light rail station and a few blocks from Larimer Square, Lower Downtown, The Pepsi Center, the Cherry Creek Bike Path and the 16th Street Mall. Spire’s distinctive location provides residents with prime access to Denver’s compelling lifestyle and places homeowners at the epicenter of over 1.6 billion dollars of public and private investment that is taking place on 14th Street. Additional information about Spire is available on the project website www.spiredenver.com
SPIRE RESUMES CONSTRUCTION WITH NEW CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Denver’s Signature High-Rise Residential Community Back on Track
Denver, CO January 23rd, 2008 - Spire Denver, LLC announced today that it closed on financing for Spire, a $175 million mixed-use 41-story high-rise residential community, located at 891 14th Street. The project’s general contractor JE Dunn will re-commence construction on January 24th with a projected delivery in December 2009. Spire will include 503 attainably priced one and two bedroom homes and 7,633 square feet of street-level retail space. Randy Nichols, President of the Nichols Partnership and the Developer of Spire remarked, “In light of the current state of the capital markets, this financing is a significant accomplishment for the entire Spire team and is further affirmation that downtown Denver continues to be among the select markets that attract nationwide attention from major lending institutions for investment in urban housing.”
Steve Hamline, President and CEO of JE Dunn Construction added, “In my 28 years of experience I have never seen such extraordinary commitment and team collaboration. To keep the project moving forward during such turbulent financial markets is truly amazing. JE Dunn has an unwavering belief in the Nichols Partnership and with the cooperation of our subcontractors we are proud to restart construction of this signature project for our city.”
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper applauded the announcement, “Spire is an important project for Denver – adding hundreds of new downtown residents, further enhancing the 14th Street corridor’s urban vibrancy, and taking green building to new heights. This exciting development bodes well for the future of Downtown Denver’s residential housing market.” Tami Door, President and CEO of The Downtown Denver Partnership remarked, “We have always had a high level of confidence in the developer’s ability to complete this project and the marketability of the units. This is a transformational addition to Downtown and to 14th Street in particular. We are absolutely thrilled to see the project moving forward and are excited about the added housing choices it will provide to individuals considering living Downtown.”
The senior construction loan was provided by Corus Bank, with Colonnade Properties and Madison Capital Company providing mezzanine debt, along with Fisher Capital providing key subordinate debt for the project. Corus has worked closely with Nichols Partnership to close this loan. “Corus is proud to continue lending to experienced developers on well-positioned condominium developments throughout the country. We look forward to working with Randy and the rest of his team on this exciting project,” said Seth Hewitt, Corus Bank Vice President.
When complete, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) registered project will combine exceptional views, amenities and location with sustainable design. Spire residents will be steps away from the commerce, culture, sporting events and nightlife of Denver. Homeowners will take advantage of abundant amenities such as a resort style pool deck with outdoor living room, spas and fire pit as well as poolside clubroom with high definition televisions and pool tables. Residents will also enjoy the convenience of a first-class fitness center, 24/7 concierge, grocery and dry-cleaning storage, private dog walk, controlled access and secure reserved parking.
Homes at Spire will enhance the urban living experience with modern design including floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain and city views, balconies, soaring 10-foot ceilings, contemporary kitchens with granite slab countertops, stainless steel appliances and extensive high-tech features. “With residences priced from $200,000, Spire is ideally positioned to provide our owners with a unique opportunity to live in a sustainably-designed, amenity-rich project at an attainable price,” said Randy Nichols, president of Nichols Partnership. “Downtown Denver is a vibrant, exciting place to work, live and play… Spire will enable many more people to experience this dynamic urban lifestyle.”
Spire is located at 891 14th Street adjacent to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Denver Convention Center, a RTD light rail station and a few blocks from Larimer Square, Lower Downtown, The Pepsi Center, the Cherry Creek Bike Path and the 16th Street Mall. Spire’s distinctive location provides residents with prime access to Denver’s compelling lifestyle and places homeowners at the epicenter of over 1.6 billion dollars of public and private investment that is taking place on 14th Street. Additional information about Spire is available on the project website www.spiredenver.com
Uptown Apartments Project Update
Back in August, I blogged about a new project, the Uptown Apartments, coming to Downtown Denver's Uptown district at 20th and Park Avenue. The project is supposed to include 194 rental units in a six-story building wrapped around structured parking. At the time, I noted that construction was scheduled to begin in Spring 2008. Last weekend I took this photo of the block:
An excavation company is working at the site so it looks like construction has already begun. I'll be posting more information on this project soon.
An excavation company is working at the site so it looks like construction has already begun. I'll be posting more information on this project soon.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The New Fontius
If you've been following DenverInfill for a while, you know that the historic Fontius/Steel building at 16th and Welton on Block 162 in Downtown Denver has been a major focus of this website. Thanks to John Rebchook at the Rocky Mountain News and the architects at Klipp, here is a rendering of what the Fontius will look post-restoration:
Of course, the new Fontius looks a lot like the old Fontius in terms of its overall appearance, but the ground-floor retail spaces will get renovated back to their original design and the whole building will get a full makeover, so when complete, it will be a striking addition to the Downtown experience.
The Fontius (new name pending) will become retail and office space once renovated. The Urban Land Institute also recently helped Evan Makovsky with ideas for the new development on the rest of Block 162. Makovsky and team are currently contemplating the ULI's recommendations and are working to develop a revised development plan. While it will be another year or so before the final plans for the new development are complete, renovation of the historic Fontius should be finished in time for the DNC in August.
Scaffolding around the Fontius building--what an amazing sight!
By the way, if you haven't visited John Rebchook's new real estate blog at the Rocky, check it out here.
Of course, the new Fontius looks a lot like the old Fontius in terms of its overall appearance, but the ground-floor retail spaces will get renovated back to their original design and the whole building will get a full makeover, so when complete, it will be a striking addition to the Downtown experience.
The Fontius (new name pending) will become retail and office space once renovated. The Urban Land Institute also recently helped Evan Makovsky with ideas for the new development on the rest of Block 162. Makovsky and team are currently contemplating the ULI's recommendations and are working to develop a revised development plan. While it will be another year or so before the final plans for the new development are complete, renovation of the historic Fontius should be finished in time for the DNC in August.
Scaffolding around the Fontius building--what an amazing sight!
By the way, if you haven't visited John Rebchook's new real estate blog at the Rocky, check it out here.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Park One Riverfront Construction Update
The only construction project currently underway in the Riverfront Park section of Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district is Park One Riverfront, the three-story, 18-unit second phase of East-West Partners' One Riverfront project. Elsewhere in Riverfront Park, the Cosmopolitan Club project should get underway later this spring, and a new project going by the temporary name of "18th Street and Bassett Apartments" is currently under development review with the city planning office. That project includes 133 rental units in a 80-foot tall building. Here's a recent construction photo of Park One Riverfront:
One Lincoln Park Construction Update
One Lincoln Park, the 32-story condominium high-rise under construction on Block 177 in Downtown Denver has recently topped off! The curved roofline is now taking shape. Here are a few photos showing OLP's new presence on the Denver skyline:
Civic Center / Golden Triangle Construction Update
Construction photo update time for the urban infill projects in Downtown Denver's Civic Center and Golden Triangle districts! Here are the latest:
Denver Justice Center (left-overall site, center-detention facility, right-courthouse):
816 Acoma:
1200 Delaware:
1200 Elati:
Denver Justice Center (left-overall site, center-detention facility, right-courthouse):
816 Acoma:
1200 Delaware:
1200 Elati:
New Jefferson Park Project: Bryant Lofts
A development review application for a new project in Downtown Denver's Jefferson Park district was recently submitted to the city planning office. The project name is Bryant Lofts, and it consists of eight townhomes at the northwest corner of W. 25th Avenue and Bryant Street. Site excavation is currently underway. A rendering of the project has not yet been obtained and the project schedule is unknown at present.
Also, in the process of adding this project as well as the recently-announced Jefferson Park Townhomes project to the Jefferson Park district page, I also upgraded the page with a newer color aerial.
Finally, here are a couple of construction update photos for Jefferson Park:
RiverClay:
Clay Street Residences:
Also, in the process of adding this project as well as the recently-announced Jefferson Park Townhomes project to the Jefferson Park district page, I also upgraded the page with a newer color aerial.
Finally, here are a couple of construction update photos for Jefferson Park:
RiverClay:
Clay Street Residences:
1755 Blake Construction Update
Last but not least of Denver's Lower Downtown infill projects under construction is 1755 Blake, a five-story, 125,000-square foot office project being developed by First Century Development on Block 021. Here's a recent photo:
There's also a new rendering of 1755 Blake on the project website:
If I get a higher-resolution version of this or other new renderings of 1755 Blake, you know I'll post them here at DenverInfill. 1755 Blake should be complete later this year.
Friday, January 18, 2008
That's a Lot of Concrete!
Just got this media release...
170 TRUCKLOADS OF CONCRETE REQUIRED IN ONE DAY TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AND FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES DENVER
DENVER – January 18, 2008 – On Saturday, January 19, truckload after truckload will be required to pour the concrete mat foundation (the “core” of the tower) for Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Private Residences Denver – 10 straight hours of a continuous concrete pour. The effort will require 170 concrete trucks to fill the 15 foot deep mat foundation, which will serve as the base of the 45-story tower. That’s essentially one truck every three minutes. Media is invited to take pictures and video of this quite visual and memorable component of the construction of what is to be Denver’s fourth tallest building, located at the corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets.
What: 170 trucks and three large concrete pumps continuously pouring concrete to lay the main foundation for Four Seasons Denver
Date: January 19, 2008
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Future Site of Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Private Residences Denver (Corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets, Downtown Denver)
Come See: 170 truckloads of concrete; 20 trucks an hour; one truck every three minutes pouring more than 6.6 million pounds of concrete for a 15 foot deep foundation. Three concrete pumps continuously working on one major concrete pour.
Additional Note: For those that are having trouble making concrete plans, the pouring can be viewed through the construction site web camera at: www.towerprivateresidences.com.
170 TRUCKLOADS OF CONCRETE REQUIRED IN ONE DAY TO BUILD THE FOUNDATION FOR FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AND FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES DENVER
DENVER – January 18, 2008 – On Saturday, January 19, truckload after truckload will be required to pour the concrete mat foundation (the “core” of the tower) for Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Private Residences Denver – 10 straight hours of a continuous concrete pour. The effort will require 170 concrete trucks to fill the 15 foot deep mat foundation, which will serve as the base of the 45-story tower. That’s essentially one truck every three minutes. Media is invited to take pictures and video of this quite visual and memorable component of the construction of what is to be Denver’s fourth tallest building, located at the corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets.
What: 170 trucks and three large concrete pumps continuously pouring concrete to lay the main foundation for Four Seasons Denver
Date: January 19, 2008
Time: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Future Site of Four Seasons Hotel and Four Seasons Private Residences Denver (Corner of 14th and Arapahoe Streets, Downtown Denver)
Come See: 170 truckloads of concrete; 20 trucks an hour; one truck every three minutes pouring more than 6.6 million pounds of concrete for a 15 foot deep foundation. Three concrete pumps continuously working on one major concrete pour.
Additional Note: For those that are having trouble making concrete plans, the pouring can be viewed through the construction site web camera at: www.towerprivateresidences.com.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Infill Scoreboard Update
Today I finished a full update of the Infill Scoreboard. In fact, the Scoreboard is now more current than some of the district pages, where I still have to add a few of the newest projects. DenverInfill is always a work in progress!
As I'm adding new projects to the different district sections, I'm also upgrading the aerial photo maps too. You may recall that I upgraded the Central Platte Valley section a couple of months ago with color aerials from 2004 (the old black and white ones are from 2000). Since then, I've also upgraded the Auraria and Ballpark district maps too. Over the course of the next month or two, I plan on upgrading all of the Center City district maps to color, then evenually the Downtown pages too.
If you spot a project on the website that needs its details updated, please let me know. I can always use the help!
As I'm adding new projects to the different district sections, I'm also upgrading the aerial photo maps too. You may recall that I upgraded the Central Platte Valley section a couple of months ago with color aerials from 2004 (the old black and white ones are from 2000). Since then, I've also upgraded the Auraria and Ballpark district maps too. Over the course of the next month or two, I plan on upgrading all of the Center City district maps to color, then evenually the Downtown pages too.
If you spot a project on the website that needs its details updated, please let me know. I can always use the help!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
1400 Wewatta Construction Update
Another major Lower Downtown project under construction is Opus Northwest's 1400 Wewatta project on Block 012. This development consists of two buildings, a 9-story office building along Wewatta and a 10-story office/residential building along Wynkoop, connected by underground and structured parking and ground-floor retail. Currently, the Wynkoop building has about a 5-floor head start on the Wewatta building:
Opus has a website devoted to tracking the project's construction, and a page on their corporate website about the project too. Here is what the project will look like when completed:
1400 Wewatta should be finished this fall.
Opus has a website devoted to tracking the project's construction, and a page on their corporate website about the project too. Here is what the project will look like when completed:
1400 Wewatta should be finished this fall.
Monday, January 14, 2008
1900 16th Street Construction Update
Next up in our construction update on Downtown Denver infill projects: 1900 16th Street. Being developed by Trammell Crow, the first phase includes a 1,200-space parking garage in six levels (three above ground, three below ground) along 15th Street, and a 375,000 SF, 17-story tower at the corner of 16th and Delgany.
Future phases consist of a 13-story office building and eight levels of residential on top of the parking garage. Ground-floor retail will be featured along 16th, Delgany, and a portion of 15th.
Future phases consist of a 13-story office building and eight levels of residential on top of the parking garage. Ground-floor retail will be featured along 16th, Delgany, and a portion of 15th.
Coming Soon...
About a year ago, I blogged about how I don't like it when a developer doesn't put up a project sign at a construction site. Well, not only are East West Partners and the other developers working in the Central Platte Valley pretty good about putting up project signs, but now they're taking it one step farther:
Saturday, January 12, 2008
SugarCube Building Construction Update
One of the cool things I like about the design of Urban Villages' new SugarCube building on Block 019 in Denver's Lower Downtown district is that four residential balconies, one on each corner of the building, extend beyond the face of the adjacent building side. It's a small thing, but something that gives the building an extra bit of flair in a Downtown generally not known for its architectural adventurousness. The extended balconies were what caught my attention when I first viewed the design rendering presented by noted architect Bruce Kuwabara, principal of Toronto-based KPMB Architects, at a Lower Downtown Design Review Board meeting on March 2, 2006:
The SugarCube building is far enough along now to be able to see those extended balconies taking shape. Here are a couple of photos from this week:
SugarCube should be finished this summer. Its presence will really help with the continuity of the pedestrian experience along the 16th Street Mall.
The SugarCube building is far enough along now to be able to see those extended balconies taking shape. Here are a couple of photos from this week:
SugarCube should be finished this summer. Its presence will really help with the continuity of the pedestrian experience along the 16th Street Mall.
New Four Seasons Construction Photos
Here are three new photos showing how quickly work is progressing on Downtown Denver's new 45-story Four Seasons Hotel & Residences project on Block 074:
Thanks, Jenny, for the great photos!
Thanks, Jenny, for the great photos!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Downtown Denver Ritz Carlton Grand Opening!
Today, Downtown Denver gained a Ritz Carlton, marking a major milestone for the Mile High City. Created out of the former Embassy Suites hotel building, the $72 million transformation came to a conclusion today at 11:30 AM with a speech by Mayor Hickenlooper and the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon across the front entrance. Here are a few photos:
The hotel is beautifully appointed, as is the Elway's steakhouse restaurant on the ground level. In February, the Ritz Carlton residential component of the project will open.
What a great day for Downtown Denver!
The hotel is beautifully appointed, as is the Elway's steakhouse restaurant on the ground level. In February, the Ritz Carlton residential component of the project will open.
What a great day for Downtown Denver!
1515 Wynkoop Construction Update
That big hole in the ground at the corner of 15th and Wynkoop on Block 013 is slowly becoming underground parking for Hines' 1515 Wynkoop project. Here's a recent photo looking down into the site:
1515 Wynkoop should be completed late 2008.
1515 Wynkoop should be completed late 2008.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Downtown Denver's Four Seasons Stats
For those of you who are into the technical aspects of high-rise development, I thought I'd post this statistical table about Downtown Denver's Four Seasons Hotel & Residences project. The information comes courtesy of Denver Cityscape.com, an excellent resource similar to DenverInfill that covers urban developments throughout the entire Denver region.
New Project at 18th and Bassett
Preliminary development plans have been submitted to the Denver Planning office for a new project in the Riverfront Park section of Downtown Denver's Central Platte Valley district. The parcel in question is located at 18th and Bassett, directly across Bassett Street from the Manhattan. On my CPV Subarea B page, the parcel is #16.
The project is listed as "multi-family residential" and the proposed number of units is 133. The maximum building height allowed for the site is 80 feet, or approximately seven to eight stories. This location has been planned as the second phase of the Manhattan since the early 2000s. I seem to recall when the Manhattan opened in 2003 that the second phase wouldn't happen for about five years. Well, here we are five years later, and it looks like the project is about to move forward. I'm sure the strength of the Downtown rental market is also a major factor driving this project, regardless of the year. The more people living Downtown, the better. I'll let you know when more details about this project become available.
The project is listed as "multi-family residential" and the proposed number of units is 133. The maximum building height allowed for the site is 80 feet, or approximately seven to eight stories. This location has been planned as the second phase of the Manhattan since the early 2000s. I seem to recall when the Manhattan opened in 2003 that the second phase wouldn't happen for about five years. Well, here we are five years later, and it looks like the project is about to move forward. I'm sure the strength of the Downtown rental market is also a major factor driving this project, regardless of the year. The more people living Downtown, the better. I'll let you know when more details about this project become available.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Downtown Denver's New Embassy Suites...What Is Going On?
So what is up with the proposed Embassy Suites Hotel project in Downtown Denver on Block 138? Tracking this project is like watching paint dry. The project was first announced on April 1, 2005, before I began my DenverInfill blog. Then, during the summer of 2006, the old Motor Garage Hotel on the site was closed, with the obvious expectation that demolition of the garage and construction of the hotel would commence soon thereafter. But it took until November 2006 before there was evidence that demolition of the garage was imminent. But demolition didn't actually begin until May 2007, and then it took months for the building to be razed. Even to this day, there is still rubble and equipment on the ground at the site, as if the demolition effort still isn't quite complete. Meanwhile, with the exception of the original announcement of the project in 2005, there have been no press releases or public announcements (that I've been aware of) about this project since then from Whiteco, the Indiana-based hotel developer that is supposedly doing this project, or from anyone else for that matter.
I can appreciate the difficulty in doing high-rise development in a downtown setting and how long it can take to put all the pieces together, particularly in our current environment of uncertain financial markets and escalating construction costs. I have spoken with many developers who have told me how difficult it can be to execute a major project, despite the apparent demand for the end result, and I truly respect that. Nevertheless, a little PR during the process goes a long way. This isn't some remote site that only a few people might care about. This is one of the most prominent sites in Downtown Denver, located directly across the street from our convention center. Some news--any news--about the status of the proposed Embassy Suites Hotel project would be appreciated. Denver's Four Seasons project took almost three years to get from announcement to groundbreaking, but at least they had periodic press releases to let people know what was going on. From this Embassy Suites project? Zilch. Let's just hope no news is good news.
I can appreciate the difficulty in doing high-rise development in a downtown setting and how long it can take to put all the pieces together, particularly in our current environment of uncertain financial markets and escalating construction costs. I have spoken with many developers who have told me how difficult it can be to execute a major project, despite the apparent demand for the end result, and I truly respect that. Nevertheless, a little PR during the process goes a long way. This isn't some remote site that only a few people might care about. This is one of the most prominent sites in Downtown Denver, located directly across the street from our convention center. Some news--any news--about the status of the proposed Embassy Suites Hotel project would be appreciated. Denver's Four Seasons project took almost three years to get from announcement to groundbreaking, but at least they had periodic press releases to let people know what was going on. From this Embassy Suites project? Zilch. Let's just hope no news is good news.
Renaissance Riverfront Lofts Breaks Ground
A new residential project is going up in Downtown Denver's River North district--the Renaissance Riverfront Lofts. The project is being developed by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and will provide 100 homes to the working poor and homeless. Here's a recent article about the project's groundbreaking from the Denver Business Journal: Work Begins on Affordable Housing Project
Here's what the development will look like:
Here's what the development will look like:
It's good to see a project like this moving forward. Not only does it help people with critical housing needs, but it also helps densify an area that is relatively undeveloped and provides income diversity in Downtown's residential population.
Latest Two Tabor Center Design?
A few weeks ago, the folks at Callahan Capital Partners posted new renderings of Two Tabor Center on their website. After a day or so, they took them down and put back up the same images of the proposed tower that they had previously, which are the ones I currently have on the Block 068 page showing 38 floors.
In my 2007 Retrospective, I noted how the final design and floor count has evolved over the past year, and that one design had the tower at 43 stories. These new renderings show that 43-story version--check it out:
These renderings come with the disclaimer, of course, that since they were pulled from the Callahan website, this may not be what we ultimately get--so don't get your hopes up. But even if we get the 38-story version of this tower, I won't complain. It will still be an awesome addition to our skyline, no?
These renderings come with the disclaimer, of course, that since they were pulled from the Callahan website, this may not be what we ultimately get--so don't get your hopes up. But even if we get the 38-story version of this tower, I won't complain. It will still be an awesome addition to our skyline, no?
Saturday, January 05, 2008
DenverInfill... A 2007 Retrospective
Now that we find ourselves in 2008, let’s take a look back at 2007 and see what kind of a year we had in our effort to intensify Downtown Denver’s vitality and replace Downtown’s ugly surface parking lots with quality infill development.
I hereby declare that 2007 was a great year for Downtown Denver! In my 2006 Retrospective, I stated that in 2006, more office projects were proposed for Downtown Denver than at any time since the skyscraper boom of the early 1980s. I then pondered... “How many of these projects will be under construction come January 1, 2008? Will this be another Downtown office boom that busts before it gets started, or will we see a new generation of office buildings added to our not-so-new-anymore 1980s skyline?” Well, that question was answered loud and clear in 2007. Of the five major Downtown office projects announced in 2006 (1515 Wynkoop, 1400 Wewatta, 1755 Blake, 1900 Sixteenth, and 1800 Larimer), all broke ground in 2007 except for 1800 Larimer, which has a cleared site and should be under construction soon.
The strength of the Downtown office market prompted several new office projects to be proposed in 2007. The biggest by far was the proposal by Callahan Capital Partners to build the long-planned Two Tabor Center tower at 17th and Larimer. Callahan originally hoped to be under construction by the end of the year. While that didn’t quite happen, the word on the street is that the project is a definite “go” for Spring 2008. The project’s scale and design also evolved during 2007. The first design came in around 30 stories and, as the year progressed, climbed to 38 and then 40 stories, then was rumored to be as high as 43, with the Callahan website currently saying 38 stories. Regardless of the project’s final floor count, the start of construction of Two Tabor Center will hopefully be a major headline in 2008.
Two other Downtown office projects announced in 2007 are located in the booming Central Platte Valley district. These include the 180,000 SF Wewatta Plaza office condominium project at 18th and Wewatta, and 450,000 SF of office space in Sunshine Development’s proposed mixed-use project at 16th and Wewatta. Another major project announced for the CPV that could include an office component is the Nichols Partnership’s project planned for 19th and Chestnut that will feature a full-sized King Soopers grocery store and possibly hotel and residential uses too.
One new Downtown office project announced in 2007 that I’m not particularly fond of is 1450 5th Street, the 300,000 SF office development planned by Kroenke Sports immediately adjacent to the Invesco Field light rail station. The project features two horizontal suburbanesque buildings of only five floors in height that fail to incorporate any other uses, such as retail or residential. The project doesn’t even include structured or underground parking but simply takes advantage of Kroenke’s sprawling Pepsi Center surface parking lots next door. Again, the site is immediately adjacent to a light rail station. This is a prime transit-oriented development site in a Downtown setting. This project should include a mix of uses (like what Kroenke originally proposed a few years ago when he purchased the site from RTD) and feature a higher-density design that maximizes its proximity to public transit. Let’s hope this project is redesigned as a true urban transit-oriented development that becomes the first of many similar projects to eventually transform the Pepsi Center’s surface parking lots into an urban mixed-use village that includes structured parking for the arena.
One of the year’s top achievements was the start of construction of the 45-story Four Seasons Hotel and Residences project. It took 34 months from the project’s announcement in November 2004 to its groundbreaking in September, but it was worth the wait. Currently just a big hole in the ground, in 2008 we’ll witness the tower climb upward and alter the balance of the Downtown skyline. Across the street from the Four Seasons, the sales office for Great Gulf Group’s proposed 51-story 1401 Lawrence project opened in 2007 and, hopefully, will meet its planned December 2008 groundbreaking. Elsewhere in Downtown, two other major residential projects made news in 2007. At 20th and Welton, the One Lincoln Park project started the year at ground level and has since climbed to almost its full 32-story extent to become the first residential high-rise of that height to join the skyline in 25 years.
The other major residential high-rise story of 2007 has to be the start of construction of Spire, the Nichols Partnership’s 41-story condo tower at 14th and Champa. Spire broke ground in May and reached about three floors in height by August. Then the project’s lender, Hypo Real Estate Capital, sucker-punched Nichols by yanking its $160 million construction loan. Hypo’s decision had nothing to do with the Spire project itself or the strength of the Downtown Denver market but was, rather, a corporate reaction to uncertainties in the international credit market that affected many projects across the US. Construction on Spire came to a halt and the site has been quiet ever since. Nichols immediately began working with new lenders to line up financing for the project, and rumor has it that some good news should be announced soon. By the Democratic National Convention in August, I predict the Spire will have already climbed half way to its ultimate height.
One of the biggest stories in Downtown urban planning and development in 2007 was the affairs involving Block 162 and the historic Fontius building. For nearly 20 years, the Fontius and most of the rest of prominent Block 162 had languished in disrepair and no one had been able to find a way to convince the block’s property owners—which included Denver’s notoriously recalcitrant Cook and Dikeou families—to either spruce up their run-down properties or sell their properties to someone else. Finally, in 2007, thanks to the combined efforts of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the City, and nice-guy-developer Evan Makovsky, Block 162 is now on course for a remarkable transformation. The historic Fontius is currently undergoing a complete restoration, two other dilapidated buildings on the block have been razed, and Mr. Makovsky is actively planning the block’s exciting future. Along the way, I was happy to have played a small role in the whole affair by fanning the flames of public discontent with the status quo. Yes, 2007 will go down as the year that the sad Fontius saga came to a happy end, and that is big news indeed.
In the hotel sector, 2007 proved to be another positive year for Downtown Denver. The Hilton Garden Inn at 14th and Welton opened, the old Embassy Suites tower underwent a multimillion dollar renovation into a new Ritz Carlton and, of course, the Four Seasons broke ground. Also, two major hotel proposals for Downtown Denver were announced last year. In March, Central Development revealed plans to build a 17-story hotel tower incorporated into the historic Cable Railway building at 18th and Lawrence and, in July, Sage Hospitality announced its acquisition of the Office Depot building at 16th and Market and plans to construct a 12-story W Hotel and Residences on the site. On the down side, the proposed new Embassy Suites project at 14th and Stout failed to break ground in 2007—significant because it was originally supposed to break ground in 2006—although the old Motor Hotel Garage on the site did meet its demise last year. Also, there didn’t seem to be much news or activity on some of the other hotel proposed in the Downtown area including the Best Western, the hotel component of the Museum Residence second phase, or the proposed Inn at the Denver Athletic Club.
The various districts that surround the core Downtown continued to chug along nicely in their ongoing revitalization and infilling with new projects. In 2007, the Central Platte Valley saw the completion of the Glass House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the first phase of One Riverfront Park. In the Uptown district, several big projects were announced in 2007, including the Uptown Apartments at 19th Avenue and Washington, and the 13-story 1915 Logan condominium project. In Northeast Downtown (Arapahoe Square), the 2020 Lawrence and 22nd and Lawrence projects were revealed in 2007, and work got underway on the 8-story 2101 Market project, which includes the renovation of the historic Piggly Wiggly building. The Ballpark district continued to boom with major projects breaking ground in 2007 such as the Zi Lofts, the final phase of Fire Clay, and an additional phase of Blake 27.
The Curtis Park-Five Points district continued to see strong investment in 2007. The Welton Place project by Century Real Estate started its first phase, and the Cornerstone project was announced for the corner of Park Avenue and Curtis Street. Throughout the district, Talus Development continued its successful Urbans townhome projects, and Village Flats finished its 2999 Lawrence building. The Denver Housing Authority also completed the first block in its big redevelopment of the former East Village housing project. In Capitol Hill, the Strata Flats made good progress during 2007, and the City Park West district saw several smaller-scale condo and townhome projects announced or break ground last year.
In River North, the first phase of new construction at TAXI was completed, and the huge 2,000-unit Denargo Market project began development review with the City. In the Prospect district, the ambitious Prospect Place project came to an end after completing only one building, but in its place, Trammell Crow Residential announced an apartment project of similar size. In the Highland and Jefferson Park districts, strong infill activity continued in 2007. Work got underway on Highland Bridge Lofts, RiverClay, and the Clay Street Apartments. The Metroview townhomes were completed in July, and several smaller infill projects were announced in both districts. The biggest project moving forward was the controversial Pinnacle Station development planned by the Spanos Company. Despite significant neighborhood opposition to the project’s suburban design and minimal mixed-use elements, the City granted the developer’s rezoning request in May and the old Chile Pepper and Baby Doe restaurant buildings on the site were razed in October. Last but not least, the Golden Triangle district saw several developments make progress in 2007. The 16-story 816 Acoma project and the 10-story 1200 Elati project both topped off in late 2007, the Piranesi finished construction, and work got underway on 1200 Delaware.
On the public-sector side, there was a lot to talk about in 2007. The first phase (parking garage/post office) of the new Denver Justice Center project was completed, and major construction began on the two-block Courthouse and Detention Center phase of the project. The revitalization of Civic Center Park and the relocation of the Colorado History Museum issues became one and the same during 2007, as the favored site for the new museum became a site within Civic Center Park itself. Meanwhile, at the other end of Downtown, planning and design work for the transit hub at Union Station zigzagged during the year as the plans presented in late 2006 by winning-developer team East West Partners/Continuum Partners were tweaked, and then tweaked again as the developers and their public-sector partners attempted to find a design solution that would meet RTD’s operational needs and the spirit of the master plan while overcoming a significant funding shortfall. A final solution should be forthcoming in early 2008 if the entire Union Station portion of the FasTracks program is to stay on track. Other notable civic achievements in 2007 include the completion and adoption of the Downtown Area Plan, the passage by Denver voters of a huge bond issue that includes tens of millions of dollars for Downtown improvements, and the selection of Denver to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Yeah, it was a good year for Downtown Denver.
Site traffic at DenverInfill continued to climb in 2007, averaging 40,000 visits a month, and I was honored to receive a Downtown Denver Award from the Downtown Denver Partnership and a “Best of Denver” Award from Westword. I consider myself fortunate to have launched DenverInfill at just the right time to ride the wave of our first Downtown boom in many years, and keeping up with all that is happening is both a lot of fun and, at times, very challenging. I wish I had had more time to blog over the past couple of months, but that’s the way it goes. Fortunately, your many comments keep the conversation going even when I’m not around, and I greatly appreciate your participation and interest in DenverInfill. More importantly, I appreciate your dedication in making Downtown Denver the best place it can be. We need everyone in Denver to join together to make Downtown excel at every level, as the quality of our Downtown is a direct reflection to the rest of the world of who we are as a community.
Here’s to a great 2008 for Downtown Denver!
I hereby declare that 2007 was a great year for Downtown Denver! In my 2006 Retrospective, I stated that in 2006, more office projects were proposed for Downtown Denver than at any time since the skyscraper boom of the early 1980s. I then pondered... “How many of these projects will be under construction come January 1, 2008? Will this be another Downtown office boom that busts before it gets started, or will we see a new generation of office buildings added to our not-so-new-anymore 1980s skyline?” Well, that question was answered loud and clear in 2007. Of the five major Downtown office projects announced in 2006 (1515 Wynkoop, 1400 Wewatta, 1755 Blake, 1900 Sixteenth, and 1800 Larimer), all broke ground in 2007 except for 1800 Larimer, which has a cleared site and should be under construction soon.
The strength of the Downtown office market prompted several new office projects to be proposed in 2007. The biggest by far was the proposal by Callahan Capital Partners to build the long-planned Two Tabor Center tower at 17th and Larimer. Callahan originally hoped to be under construction by the end of the year. While that didn’t quite happen, the word on the street is that the project is a definite “go” for Spring 2008. The project’s scale and design also evolved during 2007. The first design came in around 30 stories and, as the year progressed, climbed to 38 and then 40 stories, then was rumored to be as high as 43, with the Callahan website currently saying 38 stories. Regardless of the project’s final floor count, the start of construction of Two Tabor Center will hopefully be a major headline in 2008.
Two other Downtown office projects announced in 2007 are located in the booming Central Platte Valley district. These include the 180,000 SF Wewatta Plaza office condominium project at 18th and Wewatta, and 450,000 SF of office space in Sunshine Development’s proposed mixed-use project at 16th and Wewatta. Another major project announced for the CPV that could include an office component is the Nichols Partnership’s project planned for 19th and Chestnut that will feature a full-sized King Soopers grocery store and possibly hotel and residential uses too.
One new Downtown office project announced in 2007 that I’m not particularly fond of is 1450 5th Street, the 300,000 SF office development planned by Kroenke Sports immediately adjacent to the Invesco Field light rail station. The project features two horizontal suburbanesque buildings of only five floors in height that fail to incorporate any other uses, such as retail or residential. The project doesn’t even include structured or underground parking but simply takes advantage of Kroenke’s sprawling Pepsi Center surface parking lots next door. Again, the site is immediately adjacent to a light rail station. This is a prime transit-oriented development site in a Downtown setting. This project should include a mix of uses (like what Kroenke originally proposed a few years ago when he purchased the site from RTD) and feature a higher-density design that maximizes its proximity to public transit. Let’s hope this project is redesigned as a true urban transit-oriented development that becomes the first of many similar projects to eventually transform the Pepsi Center’s surface parking lots into an urban mixed-use village that includes structured parking for the arena.
One of the year’s top achievements was the start of construction of the 45-story Four Seasons Hotel and Residences project. It took 34 months from the project’s announcement in November 2004 to its groundbreaking in September, but it was worth the wait. Currently just a big hole in the ground, in 2008 we’ll witness the tower climb upward and alter the balance of the Downtown skyline. Across the street from the Four Seasons, the sales office for Great Gulf Group’s proposed 51-story 1401 Lawrence project opened in 2007 and, hopefully, will meet its planned December 2008 groundbreaking. Elsewhere in Downtown, two other major residential projects made news in 2007. At 20th and Welton, the One Lincoln Park project started the year at ground level and has since climbed to almost its full 32-story extent to become the first residential high-rise of that height to join the skyline in 25 years.
The other major residential high-rise story of 2007 has to be the start of construction of Spire, the Nichols Partnership’s 41-story condo tower at 14th and Champa. Spire broke ground in May and reached about three floors in height by August. Then the project’s lender, Hypo Real Estate Capital, sucker-punched Nichols by yanking its $160 million construction loan. Hypo’s decision had nothing to do with the Spire project itself or the strength of the Downtown Denver market but was, rather, a corporate reaction to uncertainties in the international credit market that affected many projects across the US. Construction on Spire came to a halt and the site has been quiet ever since. Nichols immediately began working with new lenders to line up financing for the project, and rumor has it that some good news should be announced soon. By the Democratic National Convention in August, I predict the Spire will have already climbed half way to its ultimate height.
One of the biggest stories in Downtown urban planning and development in 2007 was the affairs involving Block 162 and the historic Fontius building. For nearly 20 years, the Fontius and most of the rest of prominent Block 162 had languished in disrepair and no one had been able to find a way to convince the block’s property owners—which included Denver’s notoriously recalcitrant Cook and Dikeou families—to either spruce up their run-down properties or sell their properties to someone else. Finally, in 2007, thanks to the combined efforts of the Downtown Denver Partnership, the City, and nice-guy-developer Evan Makovsky, Block 162 is now on course for a remarkable transformation. The historic Fontius is currently undergoing a complete restoration, two other dilapidated buildings on the block have been razed, and Mr. Makovsky is actively planning the block’s exciting future. Along the way, I was happy to have played a small role in the whole affair by fanning the flames of public discontent with the status quo. Yes, 2007 will go down as the year that the sad Fontius saga came to a happy end, and that is big news indeed.
In the hotel sector, 2007 proved to be another positive year for Downtown Denver. The Hilton Garden Inn at 14th and Welton opened, the old Embassy Suites tower underwent a multimillion dollar renovation into a new Ritz Carlton and, of course, the Four Seasons broke ground. Also, two major hotel proposals for Downtown Denver were announced last year. In March, Central Development revealed plans to build a 17-story hotel tower incorporated into the historic Cable Railway building at 18th and Lawrence and, in July, Sage Hospitality announced its acquisition of the Office Depot building at 16th and Market and plans to construct a 12-story W Hotel and Residences on the site. On the down side, the proposed new Embassy Suites project at 14th and Stout failed to break ground in 2007—significant because it was originally supposed to break ground in 2006—although the old Motor Hotel Garage on the site did meet its demise last year. Also, there didn’t seem to be much news or activity on some of the other hotel proposed in the Downtown area including the Best Western, the hotel component of the Museum Residence second phase, or the proposed Inn at the Denver Athletic Club.
The various districts that surround the core Downtown continued to chug along nicely in their ongoing revitalization and infilling with new projects. In 2007, the Central Platte Valley saw the completion of the Glass House, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the first phase of One Riverfront Park. In the Uptown district, several big projects were announced in 2007, including the Uptown Apartments at 19th Avenue and Washington, and the 13-story 1915 Logan condominium project. In Northeast Downtown (Arapahoe Square), the 2020 Lawrence and 22nd and Lawrence projects were revealed in 2007, and work got underway on the 8-story 2101 Market project, which includes the renovation of the historic Piggly Wiggly building. The Ballpark district continued to boom with major projects breaking ground in 2007 such as the Zi Lofts, the final phase of Fire Clay, and an additional phase of Blake 27.
The Curtis Park-Five Points district continued to see strong investment in 2007. The Welton Place project by Century Real Estate started its first phase, and the Cornerstone project was announced for the corner of Park Avenue and Curtis Street. Throughout the district, Talus Development continued its successful Urbans townhome projects, and Village Flats finished its 2999 Lawrence building. The Denver Housing Authority also completed the first block in its big redevelopment of the former East Village housing project. In Capitol Hill, the Strata Flats made good progress during 2007, and the City Park West district saw several smaller-scale condo and townhome projects announced or break ground last year.
In River North, the first phase of new construction at TAXI was completed, and the huge 2,000-unit Denargo Market project began development review with the City. In the Prospect district, the ambitious Prospect Place project came to an end after completing only one building, but in its place, Trammell Crow Residential announced an apartment project of similar size. In the Highland and Jefferson Park districts, strong infill activity continued in 2007. Work got underway on Highland Bridge Lofts, RiverClay, and the Clay Street Apartments. The Metroview townhomes were completed in July, and several smaller infill projects were announced in both districts. The biggest project moving forward was the controversial Pinnacle Station development planned by the Spanos Company. Despite significant neighborhood opposition to the project’s suburban design and minimal mixed-use elements, the City granted the developer’s rezoning request in May and the old Chile Pepper and Baby Doe restaurant buildings on the site were razed in October. Last but not least, the Golden Triangle district saw several developments make progress in 2007. The 16-story 816 Acoma project and the 10-story 1200 Elati project both topped off in late 2007, the Piranesi finished construction, and work got underway on 1200 Delaware.
On the public-sector side, there was a lot to talk about in 2007. The first phase (parking garage/post office) of the new Denver Justice Center project was completed, and major construction began on the two-block Courthouse and Detention Center phase of the project. The revitalization of Civic Center Park and the relocation of the Colorado History Museum issues became one and the same during 2007, as the favored site for the new museum became a site within Civic Center Park itself. Meanwhile, at the other end of Downtown, planning and design work for the transit hub at Union Station zigzagged during the year as the plans presented in late 2006 by winning-developer team East West Partners/Continuum Partners were tweaked, and then tweaked again as the developers and their public-sector partners attempted to find a design solution that would meet RTD’s operational needs and the spirit of the master plan while overcoming a significant funding shortfall. A final solution should be forthcoming in early 2008 if the entire Union Station portion of the FasTracks program is to stay on track. Other notable civic achievements in 2007 include the completion and adoption of the Downtown Area Plan, the passage by Denver voters of a huge bond issue that includes tens of millions of dollars for Downtown improvements, and the selection of Denver to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Yeah, it was a good year for Downtown Denver.
Site traffic at DenverInfill continued to climb in 2007, averaging 40,000 visits a month, and I was honored to receive a Downtown Denver Award from the Downtown Denver Partnership and a “Best of Denver” Award from Westword. I consider myself fortunate to have launched DenverInfill at just the right time to ride the wave of our first Downtown boom in many years, and keeping up with all that is happening is both a lot of fun and, at times, very challenging. I wish I had had more time to blog over the past couple of months, but that’s the way it goes. Fortunately, your many comments keep the conversation going even when I’m not around, and I greatly appreciate your participation and interest in DenverInfill. More importantly, I appreciate your dedication in making Downtown Denver the best place it can be. We need everyone in Denver to join together to make Downtown excel at every level, as the quality of our Downtown is a direct reflection to the rest of the world of who we are as a community.
Here’s to a great 2008 for Downtown Denver!