DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[RiNo Randy]

Here's a fun question.

Without using a search engine of any kind, can anyone tell me what the main industry in Five Points/RiNo was back in the day? It was one of the boom/bust cycles that has happened across the city.

[TakeFive]

Mesa West Capital Originates $81M Loan to Refinance Denver Apartment Community
July 28, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

Mesa West Capital, a leading commercial real estate debt fund manager and portfolio lender, has provided a joint venture between The Dinerstein Companies and PGIM with an $81 million short-term, first-mortgage loan to refinance Atlas Peakview, a recently completed 330-unit multifamily community in Centennial.

This is a really nice project just SW of Fiddler's Green.

Atlas Peakview -- 7800 E Peakview Ave.




Courtesy The Dinerstein Companies

Delivered in 2025 Atlas Peakview ... offers a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a limited number of two- and three-bedroom townhomes.

“The property has experienced strong lease-up, quickly reaching 85% occupancy since opening in the second quarter of last year,” said Brian Hirsh, head of Mesa West Capital’s Central Region. “Our financing will provide the sponsor with fresh runway as it continues to capitalize on robust demand from renters...

The financing was arranged by Tom Melody, Paul House, and John Melody in the Houston office of Walker & Dunlop.

Walker & Dunlop is a huge broker/lender for apartments.

Note: The fact that they had to settle for a 'short term' loan demonstrates how tricky the loan market has become.

[TakeFive]

Easily the most impressive project for 2026

Broncos Move into New $175M Training Camp
July 29, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

The Denver Broncos have officially opened their long-awaited Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit, marking a major milestone for the organization as players reported for the start of 2026 training camp this week.

The approximately 205,000-square-foot, three-story headquarters and training complex in Englewood—by global design firm HOK—replaces the team’s previous football operations facilities and represents a $175 million investment in one of the NFL’s most advanced training environments.

• Video Link

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Here's a fun question.

Without using a search engine of any kind, can anyone tell me what the main industry in Five Points/RiNo was back in the day? It was one of the boom/bust cycles that has happened across the city.

How far back in the day? IIRC, mining equipment manufacturing was a major employment source there.


Brighton Blvd was a large wholesale produce district.

[mhays]

The Broncos forgot to build a lake.

[TakeFive]

.............. .....

Originally Posted by mhays

The Broncos forgot to build a lake.

That's more of a Seattle thing. But I'd love it if the Broncos could duplicate the Seahawks success.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

How far back in the day? IIRC, mining equipment manufacturing was a major employment source there.


Brighton Blvd was a large wholesale produce district.

Yes, Denver Rock Drill in Cole on the east edge of RiNo did produce mining equipment.

But I'm talking about the core of the Art District - Larimer to Blake as well as Brighton Corridors.

Denargo Market's heyday was from 1939-1971.

I'm talking about when it was a boom town from 1920s to 1950s.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

You say Potato...


I'll yield the point; it's not worth the the time. My only point was that in the beginning specific references to Ball Park, Cutis Park and Five Points were more common.

When attending Rockies games I would turn down onto Brighton Blvd which was primarily an area for wholesale produce and other industrial goods. It was an easy place to park (for free) and just walk up the hill. At that time drugs & crime were not an issue there.

AI Overview

I hope you realize that I don't really care about whatever the AI slop tells you. Particularly when I live in the District, lead art/graffiti tours in the District and have been coming to the area for various events and such since 1999. I even bought a motorcycle at Erico Motorsports in early 2005, the same year the RiNo Art District was created.

Yes, Rhinoceropolis was one of the first "venues" in the District, but that doesn't mean that all of the "art" related activity was only located there.

You might even remember The Big Wonderful that took place for a few years at 26th and Lawrence.

[TakeFive]

It may be that more than one answer is equally valid

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

I hope you realize that I don't really care about whatever the AI slop tells you. Particularly when I live in the District, lead art/graffiti tours in the District and have been coming to the area for various events and such since 1999. I even bought a motorcycle at Erico Motorsports in early 2005, the same year the RiNo Art District was created.

Yes, Rhinoceropolis was one of the first "venues" in the District, but that doesn't mean that all of the "art" related activity was only located there.

You might even remember The Big Wonderful that took place for a few years at 26th and Lawrence.

Where art existed is not the same as where RiNo started. They're separate questions.

The most obvious and simplest of questions is where does the river lie?

https://www.jzvacationrentals.com/the-hi...for%20manufacturing%20and%20distribution.

Early Beginnings

In the late 1800s, the area now known as RiNo was an industrial zone filled with factories, warehouses, and rail yards. Its strategic location near the South Platte River and major rail lines made it an ideal hub for manufacturing and distribution.

The Artistic Renaissance

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of artists and creative entrepreneurs began to see potential in the abandoned warehouses and industrial buildings of RiNo. These pioneers were attracted by the affordable spaces and the freedom to create without the constraints often found in more developed areas

Official Recognition

The turning point for RiNo came in 2005 when it was officially designated as the River North Art District. This recognition was a catalyst for further revitalization, as it brought attention and resources to the area. The establishment of the RiNo Art District organization played a crucial role in this transformation.

Obviously Brighton Blvd lies along the RIVER but the rest of that paragraph could suggest that RiNo wasn't limited to Brighton Blvd. Makes perfect sense to me.

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/21/denver-brighton-boulevard-project-impact/

When Harold Hill opened his farm-machinery business at 3100 Brighton Blvd. in the late 1940s, the street was a dusty, industrial strip populated with warehouses, a foundry and little else.

Father and son developers Mickey and Kyle Zeppelin say the city didn’t turn its gaze toward the area now known as River North, until private-property owners started making a stink about the infrastructure there and RiNo Arts District formed and started attracting visitors in 2005.

Mickey Zeppelin bought an eight-acre, former cab company hub just off Brighton on the west side of the South Platte River in 2000 and said he immediately began lobbying the city to do something about the state of the arterial street.

One last time

Where the river lies, it's history in forming RiNo does NOT mean RiNo was limited to Brighton Blvd. In fact, as the concept took root it was not limited to Brighton Blvd. While Brighton Blvd may have been the initial catalyst RiNo became much more than just Brighton Blvd.

[TakeFive]

City Council approves $3.2 million for new park in Golden Triangle
August 5, 2026 By Sage Kelley -- Westword

City Council approved Denver Parks & Recreation’s proposed resolution on Aug. 3, appropriating $3,195,280 from the Parks Legacy and Special Revenue Fund in an effort to purchase a 0.4-acre lot at 1028 N. Acoma St. for a future park in the Civic Center neighborhood, better known as the Golden Triangle.

1028 N. Acoma Street


Courtesy PropertyShark

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BusinessDen reports that Denver office tower loan was sent to special servicer after occupancy drop

Cherry Tower -- 950 S Cherry Street



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From the Whacky Report

AI Overview

Centennial-based CNL Law Firm had its bank accounts frozen after voluntarily self-reporting approximately $550,000 in improper withdrawals to authorities.

Good guess the next step is to declare bankruptcy.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

It may be that more than one answer is equally valid

Where art existed is not the same as where RiNo started. They're separate questions.

The most obvious and simplest of questions is where does the river lie?

https://www.jzvacationrentals.com/the-hi...for%20manufacturing%20and%20distribution.

Early Beginnings


The Artistic Renaissance


Official Recognition

Obviously Brighton Blvd lies along the RIVER but the rest of that paragraph could suggest that RiNo wasn't limited to Brighton Blvd. Makes perfect sense to me.

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/21/denver-brighton-boulevard-project-impact/



One last time

Where the river lies, it's history in forming RiNo does NOT mean RiNo was limited to Brighton Blvd. In fact, as the concept took root it was not limited to Brighton Blvd. While Brighton Blvd may have been the initial catalyst RiNo became much more than just Brighton Blvd.

So cute that you cite a source that belongs to a company that illegally* runs short term rentals in my building.

*technically legal, but unethical.

[TakeFive]

Stuff in Denver you can't make up

Denver condo prices are down 14%
Aug. 05, 2026 By Sarah Mulholland -- Denverite

Aspiring homeowners in Denver should look at the condo market for a good deal.

To make a guess, the rising costs of HOA insurance could be one reason especially with older units which may be more vulnerable to special assessments.

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Denver wants to know how failed immersive theater spent $400,000
Aug. 05, 2026 By Kiara DeMare -- Denverite

The city of Denver is looking into how the failed Denver Immersive Repertory Theater spent a large loan from taxpayers — and whether that money is ever coming back.

DIRT made a big splash with a plan to spend up to $2 million in total to transform a downtown building into the “world’s first resident immersive theater,” including a bar, a cabaret lounge and other scenes for theatergoers to explore.

The allure of the Big Apple?

DIRT is owned by Steve Wargo and Blair Russell, two New Yorkers who relocated to Denver to launch the new theater. Wargo did not respond to a request for comment.

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Squatting swallows delay City Park bandstand demolition
Jul. 10, 2026 By Paolo Zialcita -- Denverite

The City Park bandstand is set to be demolished ahead of a full reconstruction — but first, the city has to wait for its tenants to vacate the premises.

[TakeFive]

Yeah, I remember when this was built

SkyHouse Denver residents claim recurring elevator outages, maintenance issues disrupt daily life
August 6, 2026 By Jasmine Arenas -- CBS News Denver

Residents at SkyHouse Denver say repeated elevator outages, maintenance problems and other building issues are making daily life difficult at the downtown high-rise.

"When we did return from our trip, we were told that we had to lug our luggage up 19 flights of stairs, and that's a huge safety concern for me," Lawson said. "We were told we didn't have any other choice."

Residents say the issues extend beyond the elevators. They describe weeks of uncollected trash and recycling, the loss of concierge service, package thefts and poor communication from management.

AI Overview

SkyHouse Denver was built between February 2015 and late 2016. The 25-story luxury apartment tower located at 18th and Broadway broke ground in February 2015, topped out in December 2015, and officially welcomed its first residents on November 1, 2016.

Skyhouse Denver -- 1776 Broadway Street



Big Boys play property roulette

Equity Residential Acquires 978 Apartment Units in Denver
August 8, 2024 -- Mile High CRE

Equity Residential has agreed to acquire 11 apartment properties — including three properties with 978 apartment units in Denver — from Blackstone Real Estate strategies in separate transactions, including Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Blackstone Real Estate Partners and Blackstone Property Partners, for approximately $964 million.

Equity Residential is a REIT worth $25 billion. This property means nothing to them... although I don't know the specific ownership structure for this specific property.

[RiNo Randy]

I walked by Upton Residences tonight.

The sign on their sales center has been updated.

They are offering up to $50K in incentives and free parking.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

I was hoping that Edens would also proceed with the redevelopment of the entire block across from The Market. Looking forward to that grocer on Lawrence between 26th and 27th. That would be a huge win for the neighborhood.

I'm assuming that Edens does NOT want to operate a Grocery store so they'd need to find an operator.

As RiNo Randy points out virtually every brand of grocery is somewhere around the periphery with the exception of Aldi's and Aldi's has already picked a site in Central Park.


Speaking of food deserts

7 Chicago Save A Lot stores set to close as SNAP cuts deepen food access concerns
July 24, 2026 By Kasey Chronis -- FOX 32 Chicago

CHICAGO - There is growing concern on Chicago’s South and West sides, where seven Save A Lot stores are set to close Saturday, July 25.

The closures are a result of Save A Lot cutting ties with Yellow Banana, which operates the stores — leaving the financially troubled operator with no choice but to shut them down.

The backstory is a convoluted mess but the above is the result.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I'm assuming that Edens does NOT want to operate a Grocery store so they'd need to find an operator.

Trader Joe's is going in the space at 27th & Lawrence.

[TakeFive]

Fingers Crossed

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Trader Joe's is going in the space at 27th & Lawrence.

Trader Joe's would be the ideal choice. They're certainly in expansion mode with a new store in Westminster, one under construction at the Shops at Northfield and another new store as as part of a 170 unit apartment redevelopment in Platt Park by Kentro.

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Fingers Crossed


Trader Joe's would be the ideal choice. They're certainly in expansion mode with a new store in Westminster, one under construction at the Shops at Northfield and another new store as as part of a 170 unit apartment redevelopment in Platt Park by Kentro.

It's happening. Bookmark this if you'd like.

[phxjack]

Anyone know what's being built?

[BrIced_Tea]

Originally Posted by phxjack

Anyone know what's being built?

There's a 3 story afforadable housing project proposed for this site by an organization affliated with Jehovah Witness. The SDP isn't approved yet though so maybe they are just clearing land?