DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[TakeFive]

If you're looking for a nice Quiet Place
Jun 11, 2026 -- Denver7 News

that has no homeless, no bike lanes, all retail space taken, great chocolate chip cookies, a relaxing kind of place.... Check it out.

Haven't lived there but I've been there a number of times.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

If you're looking for a nice Quiet Place
Jun 11, 2026 -- Denver7 News

that has no homeless, no bike lanes, all retail space taken, great chocolate chip cookies, a relaxing kind of place.... Check it out.

Haven't lived there but I've been there a number of times.

Glad to see your advocacy of the unhoused continuing.

[TakeFive]

RidgeGate Marks 25 Years of Progress
June 11, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

25 Years of Building a Complete Community

Over the past quarter century, RidgeGate has grown into a dynamic community now home to more than 7,500 residents and approximately 10,000 jobs in its West Village alone. The community features a broad range of residential options—including affordable housing, luxury rentals, senior living, townhomes, condominiums, and single-family homes—designed to support every stage of life.

Three anchored retail centers provide essential services and gathering spaces, while major employers such as HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge Medical Center, Charles Schwab, and Kiewit Corporation contribute to a strong economic foundation.

More jobs than residents? That's impressive although that will change as they develop the east side.

This is hard to believe or not?

AI Overview

The office vacancy rate in Lone Tree, CO, is roughly 5%, which is significantly lower than the broader Denver metro and South I-25 corridor averages.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

This is hard to believe or not?

No spec office project and three campuses built for specific clients with long-term leases? Yeah, it's believable, but not exactly a ringing endorsement of demand.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

No spec office project and three campuses built for specific clients with long-term leases? Yeah, it's believable, but not exactly a ringing endorsement of demand.

I also recall Lincoln Avenue being torn up at least five times during that time span (hasn't been altered in a while), so not sure it was always the best planned out development..,.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

No spec office project and three campuses built for specific clients with long-term leases? Yeah, it's believable, but not exactly a ringing endorsement of demand.

I recalled buildings being sold back in 2024 (?) that were advertised as being offered "below replacement cost." Lockheed vacated one building and it was bought by another defense contractor whose HQ is or was in Aurora. Currently there's 30 listings for misc. office space.

BUT, generally speaking your thinking is solid.

[TakeFive]

"Coming Soon" -- February 2020 - The Denver Business Journal

Consolidated Investment Group’s Route 40 Apartments Go Vertical
June 15, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

Consolidated Investment Group (CIG) ... has proudly announced that wood framing is underway for Route 40, a multifamily property located at 1040 E. Colfax Avenue in Denver.
Three levels of above-ground structural concrete were recently completed, allowing wood framing to begin.

The new seven-story building will include 210 apartment units, 6,900 square feet of retail, and robust amenities....

Route 40 -- 1040 E. Colfax Avenue


Courtesy CIG

[TakeFive]

Multifamily Financing In 2026: How Are Projects Moving Ahead?
June 10, 2026 By Capital One Julia Troy, Studio B Editor -- Bisnow

After a dramatic few years, pressure seems to be easing on the multifamily market... That doesn’t mean developers should be scrapping their plans for new developments, however, particularly if they are interested in the affordable market.

SIDE POCKET:

A week ago I 'worked' the dinner crowd from a convention at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge. It concerned Commercial Real Estate lending -- with respect to the Tech side. 1st trip was a guy from Boston who also reads Bisnow; 2nd trip was a couple of guys from Florida. Fun conversations. Last trip was a guy from Utah going all the way to downtown Phoenix. I happen to have read about the recent 'Executive Order' from the Utah Governor concerning Data Centers so we had a good conversation. BTW, best thing about rideshare for me is meeting people from all over the country/world.

[TakeFive]

A June Groundbreaking

U.S. FDA, HHS, GSA break ground on $228M food lab at the Denver Federal Center
Jun 17, 2026 By: Katie Parkins -- Denver7 News

DENVER — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) broke ground on a $228 million food lab at the Denver Federal Center Wednesday, the GSA announced.

Rather Interesting

The new lab will expand the FDA's research capability to manage foodborne illness outbreaks and ensure food, drugs and cosmetic safety specifically, according to the GSA. The project will replace what the GSA calls an aging, outdated workspace to bring the Denver lab up to 21st-century operations capability.

Even More Interesting

It will be the FDA’s only Biosafety Level 3 facility west of the Mississippi River, the GSA said in its Wednesday announcement.

The construction project is expected to be completed by early 2029.

[TakeFive]

GOOD NEWS

Denver Post reaches deal with city to buy out long-term lease for namesake building
June 16, 2026 By Elliott Wenzler -- The Denver Post

The owner of The Denver Post will pay the city that shares the newspaper’s name $13.5 million to end its master lease in a downtown building under a settlement announced Tuesday.

That settlement is less than 40% of what the company would have paid the city under its original lease, which was set to end in 2029. If the company had continued paying that rent through the remainder of the lease, it would have paid the city $34.5 million, including the missed rent since 2025.

He said; She said

Mayor Mike Johnston called the agreement “a great deal for Denver” in a news release.

“When we said we would recover every cent owed, we meant it,” he said. “We look forward to forging a new future for the property that serves the city and preserves this building’s iconic place downtown.”

Since both parties are delighted with the outcome it is a delightful day in Denver.

Now that the city is responsible for upkeep and any updating it will be interesting to see what they do going forward.

Not one of Mayor Mike's shining moments but nobody is perfect. We'll settle for today's delightful outcome.

[RiNo Randy]

Here is an interesting article with renderings by Sasaki on what they are proposing for Denver Pavilions. Unfortunately, I'm not about to grab a link to repost a photo for some reason.

It definitely would change things up dramatically!

https://www.developingmycity.com/denver/...ver-pavilions-become-sasaki-design-study

[RiNo Randy]

Here's a bit of a bombshell - the original Rock Bottom Brewery on 16th Street has closed.

https://www.westword.com/food-drink/end-...-brewery-on-16th-street-closed-40901080/

[TakeFive]

Simply Amazing

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Here is an interesting article with renderings by Sasaki on what they are proposing for Denver Pavilions.

It definitely would change things up dramatically!

Worth the Click to see Sasaki's Concept renderings.

Then add Asher Luzzatto's ‘High Fidelity’ office conversion and upper downtown would take on a whole new look and vibe.

Not sure what it would take to get developers interested; that would be the key. Perhaps Denver would need to add additional incentives to create the necessary comfort zone. It could be redeveloped in separate pieces over time of course.

It will be very interesting to see how the City chooses to proceed.

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

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Here's a bit of a bombshell - the original Rock Bottom Brewery on 16th Street has closed.

https://www.westword.com/food-drink/end-...-brewery-on-16th-street-closed-40901080/

While reading that Westword piece I did recall having read much of the background previously.


BusinessDen adds to the closing discomfort and notoriety.

Rock Bottom, Church and Union and 1up Arcade all close downtown
June 23, 2026 By Max Scheinblum -- BusinessDen

[RiNo Randy]

But then we have another business moving to downtown: https://businessden.com/2026/06/23/architecture-firm-moving-office-from-boulder-to-downtown-denver/

I found this interesting at the end of the article...

"Echoing Cooper Carry’s Reis, he said that Denver is closer to the clients and other firms that LandDesign works with. But the firms differed in where they ultimately ended up.

“RiNo felt much more creative than being on the 17th floor of an office tower downtown,” Martin said."

I'm going to guess that the dearth of lunchtime restaurants in RiNo, particularly by Steel House and The Hub, led to them opting for Downtown. Speaking of, Troy Guard might want to get started on his space in that building...

[TakeFive]

Architecture firms 'On the Move'

Architecture firm signs lease to relocate Colorado office to 1900 Lawrence
June 23, 2026 By Jessica Alvarado Gamez | The Denver Post

National architecture and design firm Cooper Carry is moving its Colorado operations to downtown Denver, becoming the latest tenant at one of the city’s newest office towers. The firm announced Monday afternoon that it has signed a lease for approximately 5,700 square feet at 1900 Lawrence, with plans to relocate from its Boulder office later this year.

Plans submitted to the city show the firm will occupy Suite 1850 on the 18th floor... “We were intentional about choosing a space that supports how our team works today and where we’re headed as a firm,” said Krista Dumkrieger, principal at Cooper Carry.

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

AI Overview

Major architecture and design firms are increasingly relocating to and expanding within downtown Denver. Driven by urban revitalization efforts, multiple national and global firms have recently established, expanded, or moved their Colorado headquarters into the city's premier office towers and historic buildings.

Notable architecture firms recently securing or moving into downtown Denver spaces include:

Cooper Carry: Noted above
HLW: The global architecture and design firm recently opened a permanent Denver outpost at 1801 California Street, marking a major expansion of its Western region footprint.
HDR: The prominent design and engineering firm leased a massive 74,000-square-foot space in the Block 162 tower, relocating a 500-person workforce into the heart of downtown.
Cushing Terrell & Gresham Smith: Both firms moved into the urban core, with Cushing Terrell recently expanding its footprint at 1700 Broadway due to rapid team growth.
Sasaki: The architecture firm expanded its Denver presence into a 13,700-square-foot office in the historic Kittredge Building downtown

NOTE: HDR's move into Block 162 moved their occupancy to virtually 100% and (IIRC) Block 162 is now For Sale.

[TakeFive]

Denver Rolls Out 90-day Review for Affordable Housing
June 23, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

Affordable residential development projects that meet key eligibility criteria are now able to apply for plan review and permits through an expedited process that will deliver a path to approvals in 90 calendar days, which include city and customer time.

Talk about a Clustermess...

City staff across all departments involved in the Affordable Housing Review Team (AHRT) developed the fast-track review process in collaboration with the Denver Permitting Office (DPO). Those departments are Community Planning and Development (CPD), the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), the City Attorney’s Office, the Department of Housing Stability (HOST), Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Department of Health and Environment (DPHE), and the Denver Fire Department (DFD).

Apparently it's working

“Since it was created, the Affordable Housing Review Team has been an incredible asset in the city’s efforts to help get more homes built for individuals and families of all incomes,” CPD Executive Director Brad Buchanan said. “They have done great work not only in creating a pathway for affordable development, but also in getting projects through this new expedited pipeline.”

[TakeFive]

"It's not a walk in the park"

Showing the mayor just how much it sucks to walk on Federal Boulevard
Jun. 23, 2026 By Paolo Zialcita -- Denverite

Mayor Mike Johnston joined residents and Pedestrian Dignity on the notorious road. Here’s what he learned.

As the intense June heat radiated off Federal Boulevard’s asphalt, a group of elderly and disabled residents found themselves in the middle of a crosswalk as the light turned green.

“We don't have a chance to get across,” said Cleo Johnson, a resident of Denver Housing Authority’s Mountain View complex at Federal and Louisiana Avenue. “The walk light only lasts about three seconds and people on a walker or a wheelchair do not have time to cross the road.”

It's a Good Read. For those who are curious about Pedestrian Dignity, Westword had a nice piece back in 2022.

Honestly, this is not Rocket Science -- Quick Example

Everyday I go through a T-intersection with a stoplight for those who need to turn left onto the arterial road. For pedestrians it's not difficult to reach the other side during what is admittedly a short cycle. But for those 'slow' walkers or those with disabilities ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THE WALK BUTTON AND IT DOUBLES THE TIME OF THE LIGHT. Problem solved. Depending on the situation there are other ways to address pedestrians including installing crosswalks with HAWK lights.

Boogaloo Down Federal

There's a number of complications with Federal Blvd. For starters CDOT has been doing multiyear road improvements. In one stretch they widened the road while in other stretches they adding a median. All these ongoing improvements are for both safety as well as to accommodate for the planed BRT along Federal.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

"It's not a walk in the park"

Showing the mayor just how much it sucks to walk on Federal Boulevard
Jun. 23, 2026 By Paolo Zialcita -- Denverite

It's a Good Read. For those who are curious about Pedestrian Dignity, Westword had a nice piece back in 2022.

Honestly, this is not Rocket Science -- Quick Example

Everyday I go through a T-intersection with a stoplight for those who need to turn left onto the arterial road. For pedestrians it's not difficult to reach the other side during what is admittedly a short cycle. But for those 'slow' walkers or those with disabilities ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THE WALK BUTTON AND IT DOUBLES THE TIME OF THE LIGHT. Problem solved. Depending on the situation there are other ways to address pedestrians including installing crosswalks with HAWK lights.

Boogaloo Down Federal

There's a number of complications with Federal Blvd. For starters CDOT has been doing multiyear road improvements. In one stretch they widened the road while in other stretches they adding a median. All these ongoing improvements are for both safety as well as to accommodate for the planed BRT along Federal.

A google search tells you that, allegedly, pedestrian call buttons already exist at that intersection. https://www.google.com/search?q=is+there...0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

If the city were truly pedestrian friendly, they'd use sensors to determine when pedestrians need to use their portion of the infrastructure. Kinda like we already do for cars...

[TakeFive]

Interesting

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

A google search tells you that, allegedly, pedestrian call buttons already exist at that intersection. https://www.google.com/search?q=is+there...0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

If the city were truly pedestrian friendly, they'd use sensors to determine when pedestrians need to use their portion of the infrastructure. Kinda like we already do for cars...

It so happens that Federal is a designated CDOT highway; it's an important arterial road.

They have a HAWK light there which is as good as it gets. It was observed that they can/need to add additional walk time which is easy enough to do.

NOTE: a couple of those people could benefit immensely from having a motorized scooter; those things zip along nicely

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Interesting

It so happens that Federal is a designated CDOT highway; it's an important arterial road.

They have a HAWK light there which is as good as it gets. It was observed that they can/need to add additional walk time which is easy enough to do.

NOTE: a couple of those people could benefit immensely from having a motorized scooter; those things zip along nicely

From the article:

"Jill Hansen, who uses a motorized wheelchair, said running her weekly errands has become more stressful.

“Nowadays it's not safe and all that because people don't pay attention where they're driving through,” she said."