Union Station District

Click on a block to view street level elevation photos and other information about the block. The yellow outlines represent the location of an urban infill project.

In the rows below the aerial photo are general plans and documents relating to the Union Station district. Click on a thumbnail to view the image or document.

Downtown Denver's Union Station district includes the city's historic Union Station train depot, RTD's new regional transportation and transit facilities north of the historic station, and a dozen city blocks of former freight rail yards and industrial properties that are being transformed into one of Downtown's most vibrant mixed-use centers.

Unlike the other core Downtown districts, on this Union Station page, every undeveloped parcel is represented as an infill site as the entire district has been master planned and full buildout of the district is anticipated within the coming decade. The Union Station district's future development was determined as part of the Central Platte Valley Master Plan, completed in the 1980s, followed in the 1990s and early 2000s by major investments in new streets, transit infrastructure, and other public amenities. Currently, under RTD's FasTracks program, significant additional transit investments are being constructed in the district, along with numerous private sector infill projects.

Some of the blocks in the Union Station district (011, 005-H and 006-H specifically) follow the block numbering system described in the DenverInfill special feature Downtown Denver Block Numbers. The other blocks were recently replatted as part of the Commons Subdivision, and are labeled on the map below beginning with the letter "C" followed by the subdivision filing and block number (e.g. C4-1 is Commons Subdivision Filing 4, Block 1). General information about the Commons master plan, zoning, and projects, is presented in the first four rows below. Individual projects are listed by their respective block number.

Denver Commons Master Plan

The greater Central Platte Valley has two redevelopment areas: Riverfront Park, the area being developed by East-West Partners that lies between Little Raven Street and the CML railroad tracks (see the Central Platte Valley district page), and Denver Commons (Union Station district) which lies between the CML tracks and the historic Union Station. This section provides images reflecting the general land uses for the Denver Commons area.

Central Platte Valley Zoning

The Commons Planned Unit Development (PUD) is the zoning for the greater Central Platte Valley. It regulates the specific land uses, building heights and setbacks, etc., for most of the CPV. The area immediately behind Union Station was rezoned to TMU-30 (transit mixed-use) in 2004. Presented here are selected pages from the Commons PUD and TMU-30 zoning documents. The City of Denver Zoning Office is the only official source for zoning maps, documents, and information.

Denver Union Station Master Plan

Union Station will become the multi-modal transit hub for the region where light rail, commuter rail, and RTD busses converge. These images were taken from the Union Station Master Plan which was completed in 2004 and is available in full at www.denverunionstation.org. The master plan is currently being revised as the project moves toward implementation. For information on the plan revisions, visit www.unionstationnow.com, www.rtd-fastracks.com or www.unionstationadvocates.org.  

18th Street Bridge

The 18th Street Pedestrian Bridge will span the Consolidated Main Line railroad tracks and connect the Union Station area with the Riverfront Park area at 18th Street.  On the Riverfront Park side, the base of the bridge will be located between Glass House and the Manhattan. On the Union Station side, the base will sit between the City House project and the new  light rail station.  See DenverInfill Blog 5/8/2007.  Construction to commence in 2008.  Image Credits:1-2: East-West Partners.   

C1-1 (a)
The
Delgany

MAP

The Delgany is a 4-story, 44 unit condominium project developed by East-West Partners as part of their Riverfront Park master plan.  The building features units ranging in size from 1,186 to 2,352 SF and includes dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Cherry Creek and an exterior facade comprised of brick and polished metal.  The building was designed by 42|40 Architects and was completed in 2005.  Image credits: 1- 2: www.4240architecture.com. 

C1-1 (b)
Monarch Mills

MAP

Monarch Mills is an 8-story condo project developed by Urban Ventures LLC and Continuum Partners.  The building features 69 units in all, with 56 units available as deed-restricted affordable units, and 13 market-rate units.  Monarch Mills is located along 15th Street next to RTD's light rail line.  Completion occurred Fall 2005.  Image credits: 1: www.monarchmills.com
Photos 2-3 (04/2005), Photo 4 (10/2005).  Archived Photos (04/2005): 1   

C1-1 (c)
Art House Townhomes

MAP

These 13 townhomes will wrap around two sides of the new Museum of Contemporary Art building.  Designed by Studio Completiva, the townhomes will share the block with the Delgany and Monarch Mills.  Once complete, this one block will hold three new residential developments and an iconic cultural building.  Construction completed in late 2006.  Image credits: 1- 2: www.studiocompletiva.com. Archived Photos: 1 2 

C1-1 (d)
MCA-D

MAP

Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art functions as a kunsthalle, a non-collecting space that features ongoing art exhibits. Founded in 1996, MCA/D has been housed in leased space, but recently received a donation of land in the Valley for a permanent home.  After an international design competition, the Museum selected London architect David Adjaye.  The museum's grand opening took place October 28, 2007. Image credits: 1- 2: www.mcartdenver.org  Archived photos (03/2005): 1 

011 (a)
Waterside Lofts

MAP

The first new building to be built right along Cherry Creek in the Central Platte Valley, the Waterside Lofts is a 13-story, 160 unit condominium building featuring the "neo-LoDo" design of brick, metal, and glass in a contemporary style, while fitting in nicely with its historic neighbors.  Waterside was developed by Ray Suppa, developer of the Palace Lofts, one of the first new construction residential projects in Lower Downtown. 

011 (b)
Komorebi

MAP

The proposed Komorebi project is planned for the corner of 15th and Delgany Streets across Delgany Street from the new Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver building.  The project consists of a 7-story building with 43 residential units and ground floor retail, and will replace the small brick building currently on the corner. Construction is planned to begin early 2008.  This project was originally called 1490 Delgany.  Image credits: 1: www.komorebidenver.com.  Archived photos: 1 2 

C3-1
1900 16th Street

MAP

The 1900 16th Street project consists of a 1200-space parking garage facing 15th and two office towers along 16th. One will be a 335,000 SF 17-story tower at the corner with Delgany. The second will be a 13-story 250,000 SF tower planned as a second phase next to the Millennium Bridge.  Construction began November 2007. Image Credits:1: David Owen Tryba Architects.

C2-1
Gates Corp.

World HQ

MAP

Developed by Legacy Partners, this 10-story, 280,000 SF office building was built without any pre-leasing and was the first commercial building in the Central Platte Valley.  Fortunately for the developers, despite the worsening office market, the entire building was leased by the Gates Corporation, which was leaving their I-25 and Broadway home after a century and was in search for a new location in the Downtown area for their world headquarters.  

n/a

n/a

C5-2
Future development

MAP

This parcel, adjacent to the Millennium Bridge and the planned FasTracks light rail station, is designated under the Commons PUD to potentially include a mix of office, hotel, retail, and residential uses in a structure with a maximum building height of 140 feet (approximately 14 floors). Construction of this mixed-use project is likely to occur concurrent with the development of the planned transit improvements given the site's constrained location.

n/a

n/a

Project
rendering not
yet available

Project
rendering not
yet available

C5-1
Sunshine Mixed-Use

MAP

Colorado Springs-based Sunshine Development Company's $175 million mixed-use project is planned to reach 14 stories in height and include 450,000 SF of office space, a 150-room boutique hotel, and 70,000 SF of retail including two five-star restaurants. Construction is scheduled to being by the first quarter of 2009. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects of Portland, OR will design the project in conjunction with the Denver firm Shear Adkins.

Future
construction
photo

Future
construction
photo

n/a

n/a

C4-4
Future development

MAP

No development is currently planned for this parcel, but the Commons PUD zoning stipulates that development on this site could potentially consist of a mix of office, hotel, retail, and residential uses. The maximum building height along the 17th Street half of the block is 140 feet (approximately 14 stories) and potentially 250 feet (approximately 24 stories) along the 18th Street side of the block.

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

C4-3
Future development

MAP

This parcel was once the site of a proposed W Hotel project by East-West Partners. While that project fell through, the Commons PUD zoning allows for this site to be developed with a mix of office, hotel, retail, and residential uses with a maximum building height of 140 feet (approximately 14 stories). While East-West Partners is likely to revive this project in the future, no development proposal for the site is currently active.

n/a

n/a

C4-1 (a)
City House

4

MAP

The City House project will sit across from the railroad tracks and the Manhattan on the block bounded by 18th, 19th, & Chestnut.  Revised plans call for a 23-story tower with multiple setbacks holding 393 for sale units.  Construction could commence in 2008.  See DenverInfill Blog 9/10/2006. Image Credits: 1-3: RiverFront Park.

n/a

n/a

C4-1 (b)
Future development

MAP

This development site, located to the south of the proposed City House project, per the Commons PUD zoning could include a mix a mix of office, hotel, retail, and residential uses. Given that the City House project would take advantage of the block's 250-foot maximum building height allowance, this parcel is likely to be developed with a maximum building height of 140 feet.

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

C4-2 (a)
Future development

MAP

North of the proposed Wewatta Plaza office project, this development parcel, according to the Commons PUD zoning, could potentially include a mix of office, hotel, residential, and retail uses in a structure with a maximum building height of 140 feet.

n/a

n/a

C4-2 (b)
Wewatta Plaza

MAP

The Wewatta Plaza project is proposed for the corner of Wewatta and 18th Street in the heart of the Union Commons portion of the CPV behind Denver's historic Union Station.  Wewatta Plaza will feature 180,000 sq feet of for-sale office condominiums, 346 parking spaces on four levels, and approximately 20,000 sq feet of ground-floor lobby and retail space.  See DenverInfill Blog 2/17/2007. Image Credits and project website:1-2: www.wewattaplaza.com.      

n/a

n/a

006-H
Future development

MAP

This site includes a small existing industrial building and undeveloped land. The Commons PUD zoning allows for a mix of office, hotel, residential, and retail uses in structures with a maximum building height of 140 feet on the undeveloped portion. A rezoning of the portion of this site with the existing structure to RMU-30 has been proposed that would allow for the site to be developed as a single zone lot.  

n/a

n/a

Project
rendering not
yet available

Project
rendering not
yet available

005-H
Nichols Mixed-Use

MAP

The Nichols Partnership's mixed-use project is envisioned to include a full-service grocery store (possibly a King Soopers) on the ground floor and approximately 16,000 square feet of additional retail space, as many as 200 residential units, and possibly a hotel and/or office space. One level of parking would be placed underground, with several levels of structured parking located in the center of the project and wrapped by the residential and other uses. Construction planned to begin in 2008.
  

Future
construction
photo

Future
construction
photo

Union
Station

MAP

The Union Station redevelopment comprises of the historic station and the land immediately north of the station to Wewatta Street, as well as along the 17th Street Promenade and the Light Rail station next to the CML tracks. For more information about the Union Station transit project, please visit the website of Union Station Advocates at www.unionstationadvocates.org, or related websites at www.rtd-fastracks.com and www.denverunionstation.org.