DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[TakeFive]

Somebody had asked about how well Amacon is doing?

UPDATE:

Downtown condo developer pays $10M for more land
July 6, 2026 By Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen

A Canadian firm building a downtown Denver condominium complex has purchased the land next to it for a possible second project.

Amacon, which is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, paid $10.6 million last week for the 0.64-acre parking lot at 1925 N. Broadway. That works out to $378 a square foot.

This was the plan all along but obviously they held an 'option to buy' for the 2nd parcel which they've now exercised.

In 2023, the firm proposed a second, similar project immediately behind Upton Residences. Vdovine confirmed the company is still pursuing it.

“Amacon is confident in the future of Denver and we continue to see strong long-term demand for thoughtfully designed condominium communities,” Vice President of Executive Operations Stepan Vdovine said in an email.

Photo courtesy Justin Wingerter/BusinessDen

[COtoOC]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Central Park is on a Roll

Grocery chain Aldi proposes first store in Denver
July 2, 2026 By: Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen


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Marczyk’s Burger Night gets a permanent home in Northfield





Photos credit Max Scheinblum/BusinessDen

The location of the new Aldi is tragic but I'll check it out. Once Aldi's, TJs and WF open up, the 80238 will have about every grocery option in Colorado, minus a Safeway.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by COtoOC

The location of the new Aldi is tragic but I'll check it out. Once Aldi's, TJs and WF open up, the 80238 will have about every grocery option in Colorado, minus a Safeway.

With two 'graduating' sons I doubt it will ever be your main source for groceries.

Consider that the new King Soopers along Colorado Blvd is 103.000 Sq. Ft. while Aldi's will be only ~ 20,000 Sq. Ft. OTOH, Grocery stores like King Soopers always put the frequently purchased items on opposite ends of the store to encourage getting exercise. With an Aldi's you can do that walk with a handful of steps. lol

[TakeFive]

It's been a long time coming...

AI Overview -- credit DBJ

The five-story, 40,000-square-foot office building at 1300 Logan St. in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood is slated for demolition. Owned by Colorado PERA, the building has sat
vacant for about a decade.

The Public Employees' Retirement Association vacated the 1970s-era structure years ago, shifting operations to its adjacent building at 1301 Pennsylvania St. Local contractor
Hillen Corp. submitted permits to tear down the 40,000-square-foot office and its connecting pedestrian bridge

1300 Logan Street


Courtesy PERA

The building had been considered 'very leasable' but as time went by and especially post-Pandemic it became clear nobody wanted the space.

Speculation is for luxury apartments but that could be a few years off or maybe sooner?

[TakeFive]

For many Elitch Gardens is waiting for fancy urban redevelopment. For others Elitch Gardens is something very different.

Elitch Gardens continues to entertain after a century of growth
Jul 6, 2026 By Nate Belt -- KDVR

DENVER (KDVR) — As locals celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary, one of the state’s most popular attractions isn’t far behind. Although enduring some drastic changes throughout its lifespan, Denver’s Elitch Gardens opened only 14 years after Colorado became a state, and much of its past is still present as it evolves into the future.

Not many people know what makes this park tick better than Joe Bruce, a ride mechanic who’s had his hands on just about everything here. “It’s very rare that you find a job that you actually enjoy doing and do it well,” Bruce said.

Which is why he’s been with Elitch Gardens for more than three decades, through many of the park’s biggest changes.

What if Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE)

were to buy Empower Field after the Broncos move to their new stadium for the purposes of eventually moving Elitch Gardens there. Elitch Gardens sits on 62 to 65 acres while Empower Field at Mile High sits on a roughly 80-acre site.

[TakeFive]

Uptown office complex eyed for conversion to be auctioned off
July 8, 2026 By Thomas Gounley -- BusinessDen

An Uptown office complex once eyed for conversion to apartments is hitting the auction block. Capitol Center, at 1600 Sherman St. and 225 E. 16th Ave. in Denver, will be
auctioned off between Aug. 17 and 19, according to a listing on LoopNet. Bidding starts at $1.5 million.

Capitol Center consists of two buildings totaling about 155,000 square feet. The larger of the two is Capitol Life Tower, at 12 stories and nearly 135,000 square feet —
just 18% of which is occupied. The second is the Colorado Trust building, with 22,000 square feet across two stories.

NOTE:

The Colorado Trust Building: a 22,857 sf, Classical Revival landmark constructed in 1924 by Denver architect Harry James Manning. Faced in yule marble with terra cotta trim,
the building is listed on both the Colorado State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.

Capitol Center - (LoopNet)




Courtesy LoopNet

Capitol Center offers an opportunity to acquire a landmark two-building office complex in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill submarket, steps from the Colorado State Capitol
and Civic Center Park.

• Turnkey cash-flowing opportunity with multiple long-term in-place tenants and consistent parking lot income.
• Fully renovated in 2017, including upgrades to the lobby, front porch, rooftop lounge conference center, common areas, and fitness center

[TakeFive]

Builders look ahead, plan for their future

Hensel Phelps’ Rocky Mountain Region Moves to Broomfield
June 30, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

General contractor Hensel Phelps has relocated its Rocky Mountain Regional Office from Thornton to Broomfield. The team officially moved into its new office at 2 International Court, Broomfield in early June, marking an exciting new chapter for the region as it continues to grow and expand.

The newly renovated 37,500-square-foot office space will also serve as home to the Hensel Phelps Services team. The move reflects the ongoing expansion of the Rocky Mountain Region and positions Hensel Phelps for future growth in Colorado and throughout the surrounding areas.

Hensel Phelps

How long has Hensel Phelps been in Colorado

AI Overview

Hensel Phelps has been operating in Colorado for 89 years. The multibillion-dollar contractor was founded in June 1937 in Greeley, Colorado... While it began as a local home builder, it has grown into one of the largest employee-owned contractors in the United States.

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Pinkard Becomes a Catamount Company
July 7, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

Pinkard Construction is becoming a Catamount Constructors company. One of Denver’s most trusted general contractors is joining forces with a national employee-owned platform, bringing its deep client relationships, local expertise, and decades of community trust into a partnership built for the long haul. Clients and partners from both companies gain access to expanded resources, expertise, and leadership while preserving the local relationships, market knowledge, and responsiveness that have earned their trust.

[TakeFive]

Builders look ahead, plan for their future

Previously Kiewit Corporation built a new regional headquarters in Lone Tree.

Kiewit Corporation Regional Offices

In 2021, Kiewit, one of North America’s largest and most respected engineering and construction organizations, opened a new regional office in RidgeGate. The 12-acre site is home to a 400,000-square-foot, two-building campus that will eventually house 1,700 employees and features a public coffee shop and restaurant at street level. Its front door is less than 100 steps from the adjacent Sky Ridge Light Rail Station.

10055 Trainstation Circle Lone Tree




Courtesy Kiewit

Sale - Leaseback

AI Overview

Omaha-based Kiewit Corp. sold its 400,000-square-foot RidgeGate Campus in Lone Tree, CO, to Benderson Development and CGA Capital for $205.2 million. The engineering and construction firm will remain on the 12-acre site, having executed a 20-year lease to continue operating from the location.

[TakeFive]

Builders look ahead, plan for their future

Mortenson chooses to stay in Denver, build new HQ in RiNO

AI Overview

Mortenson, a major builder and developer, opened its new 4-story headquarters in Denver's RiNo Arts District in early 2025. Located at 3083 Walnut Street, the 65,000-square-foot building houses over 300 employees and features ground-floor retail, private outdoor patios, and a rooftop patio.

3083 Walnut Street






Courtesy Mortenson

Meeting the Demand for a Live, Work, Play Environment

Designed in partnership with Colorado-based Open Studio Architecture and developed and built by Mortenson, the four-story, 65,000-square-foot addresses the demand for a live, work, play environment.

Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainable Design... 3083 Walnut was designed and built with energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices to significantly reduce the building's environmental impact:

• 45% reduction in carbon footprint: 3083 Walnut emits 45% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) compared to a standard building of similar size and function.
• 36% efficiency improvement over local ordinance requirements: 3083 Walnut’s energy systems are more efficient than those mandated by local regulations.

The new building is more than just a workspace—it’s a hub for over 300 professionals and a home base for Mortenson’s growing presence across key sectors including sports, renewable energy, federal projects, and data centers.

Postscript -- Mortenson is building the new soccer stadium:

As the Construction Manager for this transformative project, Mortenson is partnering closely with Denver Summit FC, CAA ICON, Gratacon, and Populous to deliver one of the most intimate and advanced purpose‑built women’s sports venues in the United States

[TakeFive]

It's that time of year -- CNBC has released their 2026 state rankings.

America’s Top States for Business 2026 -- Colorado dropped from #11 to 25th.

Infrastructure is now the top-weighted category; it only moved up one notch but they also changed how they analyze Infrastructure. As a result Colorado's ranking dropped from #11 last year to 32nd this year. It's more dialed into what companies are looking for in today's changing world.

https://siteselectorsguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SoSS-2026-PulseCheck_3.20.26.pdf

Infrastructure Capacity Is the Top Concern by a Significant Margin

Utility/infrastructure capacity (electric, water, natural gas) dominates as both a top factor impacting location decisions (76% of respondents) and the #1 site elimination factor.

There's also this:

And they want it all without red tape. For the first time in 2026, we are factoring ease of permitting into our rankings.

Here's the Colorado specific page

The state is still rated high for WORKFORCE, QUALITY OF LIFE and quite high for TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION.

I assume that Colorado "Politics" couldn't care less about these ratings
and they are entitled... and being rated 25th is not awful just a lot lower than where they 'came from'.

And I've said forever DEN/DIA is still a huge asset.

[TakeFive]

I assume/hope this will get approved

Luzzatto asks DDDA for $29M for second residential conversion
July 13, 2026 By By: Matt Geiger/BusinessDen

Asher Luzzatto is coming back for seconds.
The developer requested $29 million from the Denver Downtown Development Authority in late March to help convert one of the Denver Energy Center’s two office towers into apartments.

“This is a really critical location to add residents,” Luzzatto said. “I think the low-cost nature of these units is going to be really helpful for maintaining reasonable rents.”

His plan is to convert the vacant 1625 Broadway tower into 386 apartments, while 1675 Broadway remains office space. He said he wants to put a market inside the complex, along with a gym and coworking space. But Luzzatto noted that he does have some more ambitious ideas.“We are talking with even larger potential grocery partners,” he said. “We do really want to get a grocer in downtown. For us, it’s a key component.”

Energy Center




Courtesy Asher Luzzatto

[RiNo Randy]

Interesting development. Kyle Zeppelin has regained control of Zeppelin Station.

Not sure about the fitness center mixing with dining options, but I think this is the correct strategy for now: "He plans to turn part of the space into a fitness center. He still wants to have food stalls, likely between two and six, and is open to pop-ups or having one operator run multiple concepts. And he’s more interested in solid lunch options than being a nighttime hot spot."

Full article here: https://businessden.com/zeppelin-regains-control-of-zeppelin-station/

[TakeFive]

The Peña Boulevard redesign may include a lane expansion, better transit options and more
Jul. 13, 2026 By Paolo Zialcita/Denverite

For years, airport officials have been considering options for Peña Boulevard. ... Since last year, the airport has been studying options through a federally mandated process for how to improve the highway. On Monday, it released a list of curated ideas that the public can weigh in on.

The airport's preferred design for an improved Peña Boulevard is yet to be finalized. But it is expected to include a lane expansion, using either a “managed lane” or “collector-distributor road” model.

I had stated previously that adding Frontage Roads could separate local traffic from traffic headed to the airport. A “collector-distributor road” is a specific type of Frontage Road.

Three roadway redesigns are being elevated for in-depth evaluation: the use of managed lanes, collector-distributor roads and a combination of the two.

The collector-distributor model would create separate lanes that allow vehicles going to and from the airport to drive separately from those traveling between local destinations, like homes and stores in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood.

For me it seems like Common Sense to separate airport traffic from local traffic. Especially as DIA gets busier and busier clearly the best alternative should include the collector-distributor model.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Interesting development. Kyle Zeppelin has regained control of Zeppelin Station.

Not sure about the fitness center mixing with dining options, but I think this is the correct strategy for now: "He plans to turn part of the space into a fitness center. He still wants to have food stalls, likely between two and six, and is open to pop-ups or having one operator run multiple concepts. And he’s more interested in solid lunch options than being a nighttime hot spot."

Just a Head's Up that by searching Google Images you can find a better image for fitting the page on our site. Ideally, max width is about "1024" or as close to that as you can find.

Here is one image that I found:


Courtesy Zeppelin


NOTE: Oddly the photo at BusinessDen states that it's "1024x768" but then it blows up when you post it here. Have no clue and it makes it more difficult.

[Fritzdude]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I assume/hope this will get approved

Luzzatto asks DDDA for $29M for second residential conversion

Wait.. so this Luzzatto dude is going to convert the two building that make up the energy sector on Broadway while also in the process of converting the properties up the street at 1621 and 1633 California (which this article mistakenly identified as 621 and 633 California).. What’s his resume and finances look like that Denver trusts him with such massive properties? What kind of team is he leading to pull this off? Where might a grocer go? Inside one of these properties? Rather - how cool would it be to see one of the large parking lots off Lincoln transform into a multi-level mixed use grocery anchored development, similar to the Whole Foods in the Union Station neighborhood.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Just a Head's Up that by searching Google Images you can find a better image for fitting the page on our site. Ideally, max width is about "1024" or as close to that as you can find.

Here is one image that I found:


Courtesy Zeppelin


NOTE: Oddly the photo at BusinessDen states that it's "1024x768" but then it blows up when you post it here. Have no clue and it makes it more difficult.

I clipped that photo from businessden, as you noted. I had no idea it would show up that size.

I'm not going to take the time to search for another picture to make my post fit into whatever random constraints you think it should.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

The Peña Boulevard redesign may include a lane expansion, better transit options and more
Jul. 13, 2026 By Paolo Zialcita/Denverite

I had stated previously that adding Frontage Roads could separate local traffic from traffic headed to the airport. A “collector-distributor road” is a specific type of Frontage Road.

For me it seems like Common Sense to separate airport traffic from local traffic. Especially as DIA gets busier and busier clearly the best alternative should include the collector-distributor model.

There was a comment from another poster on a different platform that had what I thought would be a great solution.

Flyover from I-70E to E-470N with toll free lanes to Pena Blvd. Heck I think you could probably configure an "express route" from west of 225 to make it really work.

While I'm dismayed by this, but a third lane on Pena is all but a reality. If it were only a dedicated express lane the entire 10 miles from I-70, that would make sense.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

Wait.. so this Luzzatto dude is going to convert the two building that make up the energy sector on Broadway while also in the process of converting the properties up the street at 1621 and 1633 California (which this article mistakenly identified as 621 and 633 California).. What’s his resume and finances look like that Denver trusts him with such massive properties? What kind of team is he leading to pull this off? Where might a grocer go? Inside one of these properties? Rather - how cool would it be to see one of the large parking lots off Lincoln transform into a multi-level mixed use grocery anchored development, similar to the Whole Foods in the Union Station neighborhood.

From the linked article:

His plan is to convert the vacant 1625 Broadway tower into 386 apartments, while 1675 Broadway remains office space.

This sounds like a wise choice to only tackle one of the two Energy Center buildings.

There's also this.

AI Overview

The Luzzatto Co. is expanding its Denver presence, having recently hired New York-based architecture firm HLW. HLW has officially set up a permanent office in Denver at the 1801 California building downtown to spearhead Luzzatto's massive local projects

IMO, Denver is really, really fortunate that Luzzatto discovered this opportunity and pursued it.

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

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

I clipped that photo from businessden, as you noted. I had no idea it would show up that size.

I'm not going to take the time to search for another picture to make my post fit into whatever random constraints you think it should.

I appreciate your efforts.

[TakeFive]

Lincoln Park apartments in receivership after maturity default
July 14, 2026 By Thomas Gounley/BusinessDen

A Lincoln Park apartment building is in receivership after its developer failed to pay off a loan. The Pop Denver building at 655 N. Santa Fe Drive was developed by First Stone Development, led by Lenny Taub.

The five-story, 123-unit building broke ground in 2021 and was completed in mid-2023. In December of that year, First Stone took out a $35 million loan from Construction Loan Services II.

Pop Denver Apartments - a prefabricated Building



Apparently this project had a number of issues during construction.

[TakeFive]

If only there were an easy answer

"Walk a mile in my shoes"

Cap Hill residents implore city to crack down on crime, homelessness
July 14, 2026 By: Matt Geiger/BusinessDen

Marty Duman’s dad bought the apartment building in Cap Hill on the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and Colfax back in the 1960s. He’s been going there since he was 10 years old. “I’ve seen it change drastically, where we leave with tears in our eyes, because I remember what it was. … It’s depressing for someone born and raised in Denver. Here I am, going to that neighborhood since the ‘60s, and now my dad’s in heaven, crying,” he said.

Marty’s son, Chad Duman, said he’s had 🞵🞵🞵🞵 and knives pulled on him on the corner. “I’m afraid to park in my own parking lot,” he said. “Nobody wants to live in my building. I don’t blame them.”

“We lost our Natural Grocers in that neighborhood because of the crime that was taking place,” neighborhood resident Preston Enright said at the meeting.