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  #15921  
Old Posted Jun 24, 2025, 4:47 PM
RiNo Randy RiNo Randy is offline
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Also, pretty crazy how much the 38th & Blake area has changed over the last five years.

I wish I had a current photo to contrast the two.

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  #15922  
Old Posted Jun 24, 2025, 6:47 PM
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Google Maps offers a pretty good update. Is that central parcel still undeveloped?

The corner of Blake & Downing seems like a missed opportunity for a nice public space. Are there any plans for this patch of dirt? I assume RTD owns it.

Wish I'd've had the chance to get over there last summer.
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  #15923  
Old Posted Jun 24, 2025, 7:50 PM
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That's where the new construction is taking place for 3850 Blake. The portion on Walnut street side is staging/parking.
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  #15924  
Old Posted Jun 24, 2025, 8:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TakeFive View Post
LoDo office complex’s new owner says it’s unsafe, only half-occupied
June 23, 2025 by Justin Wingerter -- BusinessDen

The new owner says it needs a new Roof and a new Elevator which will cost $6.5 million and he's looking for help.
Just an FYI that the picture is of Denver Central Market, but the article is talking about Denver Market Center which is in LoDo on Market between 16th and 17th Street.
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  #15925  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 3:40 PM
RiNo Randy RiNo Randy is offline
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Interesting update on DI this morning. Hopefully, more updates to come?

https://denverinfill.com/2025/06/observation-deck-eye-of-sauron-downtown.html
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  #15926  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 4:45 PM
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Interesting idea and it looks cool. But 673' among buildings that top 700'? I'd suggest 900'+ so there's a view in all directions, or something well outside the main tower cluster.

The key to popularity seems to be (a) being iconic, (b) having fascinating views beyond what you can see elsewhere, and (c) having plenty of visitors nearby. Also (d) you get a wave of locals when you're new, because many people will go once. The center of a downtown isn't great for b because towers will block the nearby views, and this will get worse over time.

The north end of the Elitch site would be pretty good. You could look straight down at the Platte and Confluence, the new and existing neighborhoods, parks, etc. You'd have a permanently unobstructed view of the Front Range. The tower would be noticeable in a downtown silhouette from multiple directions, with the chance to become iconic.

Broadway/Colfax/Lincoln would be good too. Right next to Civic Center Park and several tourist attractions.

It would look cool close-up, but its silhouette from two miles away would be small, and it might not have that Eiffel Tower effect. Would it be identifiable enough to say "Denver"? Do something a little shapier instead?

Capacity at the top looks small, though it could have multiple viewing levels. That could create an interesting revenue challenge. Would revenues minus financing and operating expenses be enough to pay tens of millions in development costs, even if people stand in line to go up?

Other cities have poked at similar ideas. Portland for example. These almost never go anywhere. It's always a leap of faith about whether tons of visitors will line up and pay $40 each, which makes financing prohibitive. Construction costs tend to shock once contractors are brought in. Subsidies tend to be requested due to the costs, the lack of faith among financiers, and the possibility that ticket sales won't be as high as hoped.
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  #15927  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 5:54 PM
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All those points make me think it is a temporary use of space. How cheaply can a safe observation tower be built? Sell tickets up and $20 cocktails at the top, you got yourself a buisness. I wonder if this project applied for the DDP $500 milly revitalization pot
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  #15928  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 6:03 PM
RiNo Randy RiNo Randy is offline
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I don't see it being financially feasible, honestly.

IMHO, almost as bad a use of that space as the surface parking lot it currently is.
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  #15929  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 6:21 PM
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A temporary tower would cost a large percentage of a permanent tower. I'd guess pretty much everything except finishes.
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  #15930  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 8:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RiNo Randy View Post
Interesting update on DI this morning. Hopefully, more updates to come?

https://denverinfill.com/2025/06/observation-deck-eye-of-sauron-downtown.html
For those among us who don't click links with such little info:

Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverInfill


Axios has a little more info, including the developer:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Axios
A spiraling 673-foot observation tower could soon twist its way into Denver's skyline... Developer Ephraim LLC is behind the project
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  #15931  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 8:05 PM
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A quick google for "ephraim llc colorado" yields very sparse info.

The thin spiral nature of the structure and lack of elevator housing at the top makes me wonder if this is just a giant stairway.

It's hard to be optimistic about this. Seems... half-baked. But somewhere Matt Faruolo is breathing real heavy.
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  #15932  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 8:29 PM
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Does ADA even allow such a thing without an elevator (if called an observation tower vs. a sculpture perhaps)? And would more than a small percentage of people go all the way up?

That's a hell of a climb if so, even if it's 620' or so to the top. The Space Needle hosts an annual stair-climbing fundraiser where you climb 520', using stairs that are otherwise closed. I've done it a few times. Even in the "runner" category that assumes decent fitness, in a city used to hills, a lot of people have to stop along the way. They station paramedics every four floors. Even then the liability cost must be huge.
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  #15933  
Old Posted Jun 25, 2025, 9:23 PM
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I think the little circles you see on the sides are actually passenger pods, ala High Roller in Vegas. They would spiral up and back down the tower, it seems.
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  #15934  
Old Posted Jun 26, 2025, 3:49 PM
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IMHO it looks like a really ugly and cheesy Christmas decoration.
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  #15935  
Old Posted Jun 26, 2025, 9:09 PM
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Does anyone remember the last observation tower proposed for Block 162 circa 2014?
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  #15936  
Old Posted Jun 27, 2025, 1:58 AM
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The reactions on social media are comical, as you'd expect.
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  #15937  
Old Posted Jun 27, 2025, 1:37 PM
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Ahead of the crowd, RiNo Randy sets the pace

Groundbreaking: 310-Unit Apartment Community in RiNo
June 26, 2025 -- Mile High CRE
Quote:
Formativ Real Estate Group has announced the groundbreaking of its 310-unit multifamily development at 3850 Blake Street. The project is located directly across from the 38th and Blake A-Line Station, in the heart of Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. This groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for the corner of 38th Street, stretching from Walnut to Blake, where Formativ owns land and will deliver over 600 residential units, a nationally flagged hotel, and more than 15,000 square feet of highly programmed retail over the next five years, creating a true anchor for the north side of RiNo.

Formativ has selected Denver-based Davis Partnership Architects as the Architect of Record (AOR) and interior design lead, with The Weitz Company serving as the general contractor. Denver’s JLL Capital Markets team secured the debt financing, provided by CIBC Bank USA
Affordable Market Rate Housing?
Quote:
3850 Blake is poised to set a new standard for attainable urban living with a thoughtfully crafted, 310-unit community of efficiently designed residences averaging 563 square feet. With nearly 40% of residences priced within reach for those making 70% of the area median income (AMI), and more than 70% attainable for those earning below 100% AMI, 3850 Blake delivers high-end, urban living with an affordable programming mix in one of Denver’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
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  #15938  
Old Posted Jun 27, 2025, 2:02 PM
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MSU Denver’s first student housing building promises to transform campus life
June 26, 2025 By Karen Garvey -- RED
Quote:
In a major milestone for a University historically focused on serving commuter students, Metropolitan State University of Denver is marking its 60th anniversary by developing its first University-owned student residence hall. The mixed-use, on-campus development promises to transform the student experience on the Auraria Campus in downtown Denver.

Plans for the project, which were unanimously approved by the University’s Board of Trustees June 13, call for 550 student beds on the upper 10 floors. Retail space will be located on the first floor; the Classroom to Career Hub, known as the C2 Hub, will be on the second. The C2 Hub is MSU Denver’s signature workforce initiative that connects students with career opportunities through innovative faculty and industry partnerships.
Summit House




Renderings courtesy Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects (are conceptual and could change)

Quote:
Construction is expected to begin this summer on MSU Denver’s Summit House, a 12-story, $117 million student-housing building that will be built on a 2-acre parcel at 12th Street and Auraria Parkway, across from Ball Arena on the former MSU Denver baseball field. The building is expected to be completed in 2027.
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  #15939  
Old Posted Jun 27, 2025, 3:59 PM
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Downtown News

Oops
Quote:
Originally Posted by wong21fr View Post
Just an FYI that the picture is of Denver Central Market, but the article is talking about Denver Market Center which is in LoDo on Market between 16th and 17th Street.
I'm blaming AI...


According to BusinessDen
Quote:
The $242 million loan that financed the construction of 1900 Lawrence has been extended for an additional 18 months, until mid-2027, according to the building's developer. The loan from Bank OZK had originally been scheduled to mature on Dec. 15, records show
Also According to BusinessDen
Quote:
A tech firm that planned to install a “second headquarters” in Denver is cutting its local office footprint by 95% and hasn't been given any hiring-related state tax incentives it could have earned. In 2019, Checkr signed an 11-year lease for 92,000 square feet at 1621 18th St.
1621 18th St


Image courtesy LoopNet

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

Denver Office Distress Lands It In Nation's Delinquency Top 10
June 25, 2025 By Jonathan Rose, Denver
Quote:
Denver now ranks sixth among the 25 largest U.S. metro areas for office CMBS delinquencies, according to new data from Trepp.
--------------------------------

Is this somebody's 'sense of humor' or just what passes for good news in today's world.

AI Tenants Fuel Bay Area’s Office Market Rebound
June 24, 2025 By Lauren Herstik -- Bisnow
Quote:
A wave of demand from artificial intelligence firms is breathing new life into the Bay Area’s office sector, driving leasing activity to new postpandemic highs and slashing vacancy rates.

The region saw its sharpest quarterly drop in vacancy since the first quarter of 2015, with rates falling 70 basis points to 35.1%, according to CBRE’s preliminary office data for Q2
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  #15940  
Old Posted Jun 27, 2025, 4:13 PM
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Aurora Clears Path For 7,266 Homes To Anchor Fitzsimons Life Sciences Hub
June 25, 2025 By Jonathan Rose, Denver
Quote:
Aurora City Council has approved a massive increase in allowable housing at Fitzsimons Innovation Community, a move intended to transform the bioscience campus into a full-fledged neighborhood.

The updated master plan raises the unit cap from 850 to 7,266 and enforces a minimum four-story height to drive density near jobs, transit and open space, the Denver Business Journal reported.
Fitzsimons Innovation Community Campus Bioscience 3


Courtesy of Mortenson

Quote:
About 4,000 units are planned for mixed-use areas, and the rest will be in residential-only areas. Fitzsimons CEO Kelly Brough called the change “an obligation” to honor the site’s history while shaping a future that attracts talent and builds community.
So that's where Kelly Brough ended up; good for her.
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