DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[The Dirt]

I saw that the final survey for the Downtown Denver Area Plan is out.

I'm glad to see some actual good ideas in this survey. I didn't know making Broadway bidirectional was on the table, but glad they're considering it. If they're going to do that, then they should just remove Lincoln between 14th and Colfax to expand Civic Central Park lawn. They may as well rip out 14th street between Bannock and Broadway, as well.

Take the survey here: https://sasakistrategies.typeform.com/to/Vlq6TEcb?typeform-source=denverdowntownareaplan.com

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

I agree that it does look good. Only question is why does that portion of 16th street have more tree density (Market through Arapahoe) versus the rest?

I had presumed that it was the width of the mall, errr street, along that section that enabled the third row of tree boxes to be put in. Seem like since that was part of the DURA Skyline project there was an additional setback for the buildings that permitted this versus further up the Street/Mall.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by DenvertoLA

To sidetrack away from civic park for a second. If we’re seeking attainable ideas that deliver downtown Denver a grand outdoor area for pedestrians, I think there is one main opportunity. That is closing Wynkoop st from 16th-18th.

It’s not a large park, but it would be a grand plaza akin to those in Europe. A bonus to this idea is the cost benefit ratio is amazing.

Seems like the Skyline Park renovation in it's totality could address this to a large degree.

[mhays]

I love the concept design for Skyline Park. It looks like great use of space on each block. By breaking each block into multiple rooms, with unifying elements but also distinct separation, it will feel much bigger than the acres used. It's a great mix of active and passive uses. The mix of uses0 in every direction (even if office heavy) will keep it busy if there's a reason to go there.
(Looking at this version from a few years ago: https://denvergov.org/files/assets/publi...eparkimprovements_workshop3_06302021.pdf)

Actually I'm jealous that Seattle doesn't have anything like it. We desperately need a decent park in the center of our downtown vs. at the edges. Denver built its "Commons" when we didn't build ours, and also has a better park right in the exact center that we lack.

Skyline's original design looks better than the previous redo btw. It's in the same link.

Page 21 has an interesting diagram of areas that were more than a five-minute walk from a park. It's missing some potential inclusions like the plazas at Union Station and some green space at the federal courthouse (much of which seems to be strangely walled off to outsiders), but it's interesting anyway. At minimum a few pocket parks would be beneficial.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

I had presumed that it was the width of the mall, errr street, along that section that enabled the third row of tree boxes to be put in. Seem like since that was part of the DURA Skyline project there was an additional setback for the buildings that permitted this versus further up the Street/Mall.

Makes sense. I guess I assumed the width was the same along the entire street.

Seems like traffic is definitely picking up on the street lately.

Nice to see that Otra Vez is reopening soon.

[AHS1983]

One can watch 16th Street live via

https://www.youtube.com/@forsight8378/streams

[TakeFive]

Noted for (better than average) contribution --

Originally Posted by mhays

I love the concept design for Skyline Park. It looks like great use of space on each block. By breaking each block into multiple rooms, with unifying elements but also distinct separation, it will feel much bigger than the acres used. It's a great mix of active and passive uses. The mix of uses0 in every direction (even if office heavy) will keep it busy if there's a reason to go there.
(Looking at this version from a few years ago: https://denvergov.org/files/assets/publi...eparkimprovements_workshop3_06302021.pdf)

Actually I'm jealous that Seattle doesn't have anything like it. We desperately need a decent park in the center of our downtown vs. at the edges. Denver built its "Commons" when we didn't build ours, and also has a better park right in the exact center that we lack.

Skyline's original design looks better than the previous redo btw. It's in the same link.

Page 21 has an interesting diagram of areas that were more than a five-minute walk from a park. It's missing some potential inclusions like the plazas at Union Station and some green space at the federal courthouse (much of which seems to be strangely walled off to outsiders), but it's interesting anyway. At minimum a few pocket parks would be beneficial.

[TakeFive]

Speaking of Parks

Baker’s Dailey Park reopens after a year of construction
Jun. 04, 2025 By Paolo Zialcita -- Denverite

Just two blocks from a busy section of South Broadway, hundreds of Baker residents enjoyed a sunny Saturday to celebrate the reopening of Dailey Park after over a year of construction ... the neighborhood association threw a party at the park to celebrate the reopening, complete with free ice cream, live music and food trucks.

“The neighborhood families are very excited to have their playground back,” Fluto said.

Getting Quirky on this Baker Urban Hike in Denver
By Chris / Denver By Foot

Quirky. Diversified. Historic. Those may not be the three ways that you’d describe Baker, but after this neighborhood walk, you might pick up these descriptors.

Founded on the banks of the Platte River by William and Elizabeth Byers in 1859, just north of where James Beckwourth, a former slave, settled the same year, Baker neighborhood squares out with Sixth Avenue, Lincoln Street, Mississippi Avenue, and the South Platte River. Enjoy this urban hike, perhaps one of Denver’s quirkiest, which takes you on a 2.5 mile meander.

Photos credit Chris/Denver By Foot

TRUE STORY ~ 35 years ago a friend bought a house in Baker for investment; consequently, I became familiar with and fond of Baker -- the neighborhood. END OF STORY.

[TakeFive]

Belleview Station to expand with 22-story tower in Denver
Jun 9, 2025 By Maddie Rhodes -- KDVR

DENVER (KDVR) ... Belleview Station is a nine-block walkable district at the Denver Technological Center on the corner of Interstate 25 and East Belleview Avenue in south Denver. It already holds restaurants, shops and a hotel, and now, it’s getting another block.

Another development, Block F, was approved at Belleview Station. The district said the new space spans over 3.3 acres and adds over 944,000 square feet to the area. The new block will include a 22-story mixed-use tower with 634 residential units, almost 11,000 square feet of retail space and 781 structured parking spaces.

Rendering Block F


Courtesy of Belleview Station

“Since Belleview Station broke ground the development has enjoyed steady success based on the team’s original vision, our location in the heart of southeast Denver and the popularity we’ve achieved among businesses, retailers, restaurants and people in general,” said Brooke Bansbach Maloy, Vice President, Front Range Land & Development Company, the master developer of Belleview Station.

[TakeFive]

The Garrett Companies Announces 2 New Multifamily Developments Totaling $145M
June 9, 2025 -- Mile High CRE

The Garrett Companies, one of the largest multifamily developers in the U.S., has announced it will build two new apartment communities in Colorado’s Front Range: a 224-unit project in Longmont and a 163-unit property in Colorado Springs. The combined development value of the two communities is $145 million.

Wintrust provided a construction loan for the Longmont property. National Bank of Indianapolis provided a construction loan for the Colorado Springs property.

Longmont: The property is minutes away from the Village at the Peaks retail and entertainment hub and a Costco-anchored shopping center. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027. The architect is Humphreys & Partners. The estimated development value: $90 million.

Colorado Springs: The property is only 15 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport and within walking distance of Costco, Target, and Sprouts. First and Main Town Center, the heart of Colorado Springs’ retail landscape, is a five-minute drive. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026. The architect is Ware Malcomb. The estimated development value is $55 million.

The name didn't at first ring a bell but the HQ in Indiana reminded of reading about a developer who had built (or bought) a number of projects in the Denver areas. They're strictly a suburban developer.

At least there is some new construction in the area.

[TakeFive]

1900 Lawrence Recognized with Best Tall Building Americas Award
May 29, 2025 -- Mile High CRE

1900 Lawrence, a 31-story office tower completed last year in Denver, has been recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) as an Award of Excellence winner in the Best Tall Building Americas category of the CTBUH 2025 Awards Program. CTBUH recognizes projects, practices and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of tall buildings and the urban environment, with an emphasis on sustainability and human well-being.

The project was led by Riverside Investment & Development in partnership with Convexity Properties and designed by architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP).

1900 Lawrence


Courtesy Goettsch Partners (GP)

Monfort Companies Signs 10-Year Lease at 1900 Lawrence
June 10, 2025 -- Mile High CRE

Monfort Companies, a community-minded investment and development company based in Colorado, has signed a 10-year lease at 1900 Lawrence, a newly completed Class A office tower in downtown Denver. This lease represents a new chapter for Monfort as it continues to scale its operations and invest in the long-term vibrancy of Denver’s urban core. The company will move into its new headquarters in October 2025.

With the recent launch of Monfort Investment Corp., the firm’s asset management business, the time had come to find a space that reflects its growing team, expanded service offerings and long-term vision.

[TakeFive]

Deal by Deal

Hospital chain buys distressed Douglas County office
June 4, 2025 By Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen

Hospital chain Intermountain Health has closed on its purchase of a distressed office building in Douglas County. The Salt Lake City-based health care system took ownership of the four-story Gateway Plaza at Meridian building at 9800 S. Meridian Blvd. on May 22, according to public records.

Intermountain ... plans to hold an event in July to discuss their plans for the building and the surrounding area, which is part of the fast-growing southern part of the Denver metro area

9800 S. Meridian Blvd




Construction firm buys its DTC HQ for $6M
June 10, 2025 By Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen

A construction contracting firm has purchased its Denver Tech Center headquarters at a discount. ISEC Inc. bought the 50,000-square-foot office building at 6000 Greenwood Plaza Blvd. in Greenwood Village on May 22 for $5.85 million, according to public records.

Cherry Creek School District Signs Lease at Metropoint Office Tower II
May 28, 2025 -- Mile High CRE

Koelbel and Company, in a joint venture with Real Capital Solutions (RCS), has announced a long-term lease agreement with Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) at Metropoint II, a class A office building in the North Denver Tech Center (DTC). Cherry Creek School District will be moving its administrative offices into the building in 2026–occupying 57,000 square feet of space across three floors. This comes on the heels of CCSD’s successful November 2024 bond measure which includes the rebuilding of the Cherry Creek High School campus, where two of CCSD’s administrative buildings are currently located, as well as other school buildings across the district.

Metropoint II - 4610 South Ulster Street



Last year we covered the purchase by Koelbel and Company of this building at an attractive price.

[TakeFive]

Good Reads

Economic long view mostly cloudy with spots of uncertainty
Jun. 4, 2025 By Sarah Mulholland -- CPR News

CPR’s Ryan Warner spoke with Andrew Hudson, president and CEO of the Colorado Job Board, Andrew Hudson's jobs list, about what’s in store for Coloradans looking for a job.

While there's nothing particularly surprising I enjoyed the interview immensely since it's about Colorado specifically.

--------------------------------------

Most of 16th Street reopens in $175M construction project. Here’s what locals think
Jun 10, 2025 By Maddie Rhodes -- KDVR

FOX31 asked its viewers on Facebook: “What do you think of the ‘new’ 16th Street?’ and less than 24 hours and over 500 comments later, many people had differing opinions on the construction project. Throughout the hundreds of comments, there were four main thoughts on the new street:

• People love the new street
• People still won’t go downtown
• It was a waste of money
• It’s heading in the right direction, but it needs more

Likely there will be 'fits and starts' along the way; of course a variety of opinions is to be expected. It's a fun read though.

[TakeFive]

Changing Spaces

Fortune 500 company Jacobs Engineering moving to DTC

According to the DBJ, they have subleased the entire 10th floor (approximately 29,800-square-foot) at One Belleview Station, 7001 E. Belleview Ave, from Western Union. They have been leasing space at 717 17th St. in downtown Denver.

One Belleview Station


Photo via LoopNet

[mhays]

The DBJ article doesn't say which if any of the five local offices would be affected. The company didn't comment. It's too big to be simply office #6 however.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by mhays

The DBJ article doesn't say which if any of the five local offices would be affected. The company didn't comment. It's too big to be simply office #6 however.

Thanks; that's of some help. I did find where Jacobs also has space in Centennial and Greenwood Village, both of which are nearby to their new space. Guess they weren't ready to make a formal announcement. I did find where the sublease will expire in 2031 but releasing the same space shouldn't be an issue.

One advantage with some companies that the newer development at Belleview Station has, is that their tenants would have a Denver address. That's true of office buildings north of Belleview on the east side of the freeway as well.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Thanks; that's of some help. I did find where Jacobs also has space in Centennial and Greenwood Village, both of which are nearby to their new space. Guess they weren't ready to make a formal announcement. I did find where the sublease will expire in 2031 but releasing the same space shouldn't be an issue.

One advantage with some companies that the newer development at Belleview Station has, is that their tenants would have a Denver address. That's true of office buildings north of Belleview on the east side of the freeway as well.

Wouldn't be surprised if they are moving the Greenwood Village office. IIRC, that is a fairly antiquated space.


Though the same can be said of the Denver office given it's a bit over a decade old.

[EngiNerd]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Deal by Deal

Hospital chain buys distressed Douglas County office
June 4, 2025 By Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen


9800 S. Meridian Blvd

They are proposing tearing these buildings down and building a huge new hospital on this site from what I've heard.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

They are proposing tearing these buildings down and building a huge new hospital on this site from what I've heard.

It's very difficult to believe they'd demo this building; in fact it looks ideal for converting. Since Intermountain intends to announce their plans in July we won't have long to find out.

[TakeFive]

Could data center boom threaten Colorado’s water supply and climate goals?
June 5, 2025 By Elise Schmelzer -- The Denver Post

Well, it's just one article but this is the kind of 'can't do' attitude that is holding the area back.

'Arms race’ to build more data centers is boosting economic impact, along with power and cooling needs

On Aurora’s eastern edge, where the bustle of metro Denver fades to farms, the first building of what will become the state’s largest data center stands behind a wrought-iron fence. In another section of the 65-acre campus, front-end loaders are at work preparing for the foundation of another building.

Seventeen miles west, in a dusty industrial nook of northern Denver, workers on a recent day scattered across a huge pit dug into the earth to lay the foundation for that city’s newest data center.

I wasn't aware of this; I'll suggest it's speculative at this point.

“If the projections are to be believed, a lot of new data centers are coming to Colorado in the next five years, and I think it’s important to think about how we intentionally bring that new electric load to the state.”

Times they are a changing

Hyperscale facilities, like the 65-acre Aurora project, are needed to meet the computing demands of AI. A February analysis by Goldman Sachs found that the global power demands by data centers will increase 55% by 2027, fueled primarily by an increase in AI workloads.