DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[TakeFive]

Patricia Calhoun celebrates the 20th anniversary of RiNo Arts District

‘Welcome Back’ show a return for RiNo Art District founder Jill Hadley Hooper
August 7, 2026 By Patricia Calhoun -- Westword

Artist Jill Hadley Hooper had been working at home for a year, “feeling pretty isolated,” when a friend drove her by Ironton, a building in the dusty old warehouse at the corner of 36th and Chestnut streets. Four artists — Russ Beardsley, Mike Mancarella, David Walter and Debra Goldberg — had just bought and renovated the building into workspaces.

In September 2001, Hadley Hooper rented a small space there for painting and doing illustration work for Westword; she also began helping Goldberg with an 800-square-foot gallery at Ironton. By 2002, it had regular hours and a yearly schedule of exhibits that mixed studio artists with outside artists. “The outside artists never paid to show, kept any money from a sale, and just bought their own beer and wine for the openings,” she recalls.

"RiNo will celebrate twenty years as an arts district tonight, with a new show at the ArtPark"


Courtesy RiNo Arts District

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Patricia Calhoun celebrates the 20th anniversary of RiNo Arts District

‘Welcome Back’ show a return for RiNo Art District founder Jill Hadley Hooper
August 7, 2026 By Patricia Calhoun -- Westword


"RiNo will celebrate twenty years as an arts district tonight, with a new show at the ArtPark"

I thought the "welcome back" party on Friday was quite lame. I spoke to a few business owners on Larimer street that night. None are please with the direction RAD is going.

There is a feedback meeting for the recently held UMS. Will be interesting to hear other's takes on the event.

Here is another article with a bit of "here's what's happening here now" vibe.

The Death of Larimer Boy/Girl

https://therooster.com/articles/larimer-boy-girl-graffiti-removal/


Image courtesy Rooster Magazine

[TakeFive]

Finally a couple of meaningful groundbreakings

Construction for voter-approved Santa Fe Streetscape Improvements project set to begin
Aug 07, 2026 By: Lauren Lennon -- Denver7 News

DENVER — Starting Monday, construction for the voter approved Santa Fe Streetscape Improvements project will begin.

Denver Water will start improving utilities underground, replacing a 136-year-old water main that runs through the center of Santa Fe from 7th to 12th Streets. “That sort of underground work is important because then it protects all the investment we're about to do above ground,” Nancy Kuhn, the director of communications with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), said.

The $29 million project will rebuild Santa Fe with landscaping, public spaces, lighting and widening sidewalks between 6th to 13th Streets

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Images courtesy Visit Denver

[TakeFive]

Morrison Road infrastructure project brings new hope to Denver's Westwood neighborhood
Aug 07, 2026 By: Claire Lavezzorio -- Denver7 News

DENVER — In the heart of Denver's Westwood neighborhood, residents and business owners say the area's culture and community have always been strong — but for years, they've felt forgotten by the city. Now, a major infrastructure project led by Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is bringing new hope to Morrison Road, Westwood's main artery.

The plans include wider sidewalks, safer crosswalks, trees, and two new community plazas between Sheridan Boulevard and Nevada Place — all funded through more than $37 million in voter-approved bonds.

For many residents, the project marks a new chapter for a community that has kept its culture alive while pushing for change.

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Courtesy Denver7; Denverite; BuCu; Dwell Denver

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Morrison Road infrastructure project brings new hope to Denver's Westwood neighborhood
Aug 07, 2026 By: Claire Lavezzorio -- Denver7 News


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Courtesy Denver7; Denverite; BuCu; Dwell Denver

You should tag the artists if you are sharing their art.

[mhays]

That's an interesting point.

On the flip side, if your art is on the side of a building it's at least a gray area. Maybe depending how much you zone in.

Architects and owners might also like credit if you photograph their buildings, which seems like overkill.

More to the point the average "my photos of Rome/Paris" thread on SSP might show statues without listing the artists.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

You should tag the artists if you are sharing their art.

Forum rules on image posting dictate that you properly credit the source of the images that you post:

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219527

Now, I would hope that Denverite, Channel 7 News, et al would provide proper credit to the artists who's murals are in their images, but that feels like a bridge too far for moderation on this dusty, ol' forum.

Most participants on this thread do a pretty decent job of attributing their images, so everything is kosher in my mind.

But it is an interesting point and maybe something that could be done in the future with the planned forum upgrade that, iirc, will enable far easier hyperlinking and tagging.

[TakeFive]

Real Capital Solutions Launches Contrarian Office Fund
August 10, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

Real Capital Solutions (“RCS”), a Louisville, Colorado-based real estate investment firm with more than four decades of experience investing through market cycles, has announced the launch of the RCS Contrarian Office Fund, a private investment vehicle that will target Class A and B office properties in prime and secondary U.S. markets experiencing financial distress.

Marcel Arsenault, founder and CEO of Real Capital Solutions, will serve as the fund’s anchor investor through a $50 million personal commitment, fully aligning the interests of RCS with the fund’s investors.

They claim to have "generated a 24.0% realized gross IRR" but who can predict the future, eh?

IN 2024 they bought several buildings locally mostly in the DTC. In January they bought a 750K SF office building in Chicago with a local partner who both invests and manages office buildings.

In places like NYC and San Francisco lots of vacant office space has been grabbed for AI purposes. It's hard to know how much of this space is needed OR how long it will last. The demand could come and just as easily go away.

It's also unknown how much AI may contribute to WFH or at least three days a week? Buying office buildings is not for the faint of heart.

[TakeFive]

In the News

BusinessDen is reporting that Brookfield Properties owned Republic Plaza is facing receivership. Metlife is also a 50% owner. This is not a surprise and both owners are ready to move on to the next chapter in life. What's interesting is what happens to the building from here.

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The City closed the 'tiny homes' Monroe Village

AI Overview

Denver's oldest tiny-home village at the former Monroe Street site (4001 and 4121 Monroe St) closed in mid-2026 after the city chose not to renew its contract. The Colorado Village Collaborative placed the tiny homes in storage.

Proposed Future Plans for the Site

• New concept: Proposals filed for the vacant Monroe Street parcels outline a transition from decentralized micro-homes to large-scale congregate shelter structures,
• Facility layout: Conceptual site reviews detail plans for two large buildings totaling over 40,000 square feet
• Planned amenities: The new buildings are intended to feature mass sleeping quarters, dining areas, warming kitchens, intake offices, and on-site hygiene and support

[TakeFive]

Going with the notion of 'Treading Water'

It has seemed like there's been Green Shoots over here but brown grass over there. So it wasn't a surprise to see this update:

Uneasy CU economists cut their new jobs forecast by more than half
Aug. 12, 2026 By Sarah Mulholland -- CPR News

Colorado’s job growth in 2026 is weaker than expected, according to a report from CU’s Leeds School of Business. CU economists cut their forecast from 17,000 new jobs this year to 6,000.

Weak employment in retail and leisure and hospitality jobs are the main reasons for the slimmed-down expectations, according to Brian Lewandowski, a CU economist.

Interesting summary

“We've got this labor force headwind where if we don't have population growth in the labor force, why would we expect to have job growth like we did a few years ago or a decade ago?” Lewandowski said. “And so why are people chasing other states or not chasing Colorado? And is it a cost of living issue? Is there something more? But … if we don't have that supply of labor, how do we maintain growth on the job front?”

[TakeFive]

Bill Mosher moving on as Denver’s Chief Projects Officer
August 14, 2026 By Patricia Calhoun -- Westword

Patricia Calhoun does a nice job of writing as expected; few highlights:

Bill Mosher is still up on downtown Denver, even after staying months longer than he’d originally intended at a job he didn’t ask for.

“It’s been an honor, being entrusted with this job by a mayor I didn’t know that well, in a system I didn’t understand,” Mosher says, as he prepares to leave his consulting role as the city’s Chief Projects Officer. “Fifty years ago, I got into the community development business. I think 50 years is a good milestone. Hopefully, I have made a difference with what I’ve done. It’s been a great experience.”

From the start, Mosher ignored people suggesting that downtown’s empty buildings should be demolished. He also didn’t want to spread grants around “like peanut butter,” he says. Instead, he focused on a three-point strategy for the DDA: ... The strategy divides 16th Street into three physical areas. The biggest challenge is Upper Downtown, starting at Broadway, which is lined with empty storefronts and office buildings.

“Is it better off than it was five years ago, three years ago? Safer? Absolutely,” Mosher says. “But this is slow going.” ... “All you’re doing is managing change, hopefully leading with some direction,” concludes Mosher. “It was an honor to be able to bring my experience and serve my hometown of Denver.”

[TakeFive]

Denver minimum wage hike means bigger paychecks for workers, higher costs for some businesses
Aug 16, 2026 By: Sophia Villalba -- Denver7 News

Sophia Villalba does a credible job of looking at the issues.

DENVER — Denver's minimum wage will rise to $19.84 an hour on Jan. 1, renewing debate over how higher labor costs affect workers and businesses. Some say the increase is necessary, while others say the higher wages could impact business operations.

Denver’s minimum wage is currently $19.29 an hour. On January 1, it will increase to $19.84, a $ 0.55 increase or a 2.85% increase.

While the amount of pending increase seems modest, the real issue is that Denver's minimum wage is 27% higher than outside of the city's borders or in other metro area cities. That creates all kinds of hard-to-predict dynamics.

Didn't Mayor Mike just sign up for another four years as Denver's Mayor?

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said the minimum wage increase will help workers keep up with the cost of living.

“Denver workers deserve to be paid their worth. This increase reflects our belief in an economy that is strongest when its employees can afford to live in the city where they work. It’s why we’re not only increasing wages but staying laser-focused on solutions like making it easier to afford a home or access childcare,” Johnston said in a statement.

The Mayor has a penchant for getting out over the 'tips of his skis' which is partly why he's such a good politician.

Props to Mayor Mike for the city providing some funding for more 'designated' (especially) affordable housing. What most misunderstand is that the great majority of tenants wish for more affordable Market Rate units.

Then there's the issues around future revenues for the city and city budgets.

‘Expect 2027 revenue to remain flat,’ finance officials warn Denver budget planners
4/28/2026 By Deborah Grigsby -- Colorado Politics

CP has some very good analysis of expected revenue. BTW, it's not just Denver, there's ongoing general inflation everywhere when it comes to expenses.
CP also had nice coverage for the city's handling of 2026 budget issues. 2027 looks to be a replay with less ability to cut costs without cutting basic services.

[TakeFive]

Denver has an impressive amount and choices of culinary talent

Up and down or close by 16th street is an impressive choice and variety of places to eat.

RiNo has some especially well-done places to eat.

The Best of the Desert has planted their flags primarily in Cherry Creek or at 9th & Colorado. Although Postino's in addition to 9th & Colorado also has locations in Highlands and at 145 Broadway.

[TakeFive]

EXCLUSIVE:Building On Former Denver Johnson & Wales Campus To Sell For $11M
August 17, 2026 By Cassidy Ritter -- Denver Bisnow

An approximately 66K SF building near the heart of the former Johnson & Wales University campus in Denver is expected to trade hands for $11M later this year.

Denver Public Schools plans to purchase Centennial Hall, located at 1800 Pontiac St. in Denver’s South Park Hill neighborhood, DPS confirmed to Bisnow. The seller is real estate development nonprofit Urban Land Conservancy. After the deal closes in October, Emily Griffith Technical College will occupy the more than 100-year-old building, according to DPS documents.

Centennial Hall sits near the center of the former Johnson & Wales campus in Denver




Photo credit: Courtesy of Urban Land Conservancy

[RiNo Randy]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Denver has an impressive amount and choices of culinary talent

Up and down or close by 16th street is an impressive choice and variety of places to eat.

RiNo has some especially well-done places to eat.

The Best of the Desert has planted their flags primarily in Cherry Creek or at 9th & Colorado. Although Postino's in addition to 9th & Colorado also has locations in Highlands and at 145 Broadway.

Is this a joke? Name one restaurant that isn't part of a chain at 9th & CO. Even Postino that you mentioned has locations in 7 states.

And there are plenty of spots around the city with pockets of great cuisine - Highlands, Berkeley, Ballpark, etc.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Is this a joke? Name one restaurant that isn't part of a chain at 9th & CO. Even Postino that you mentioned has locations in 7 states.

Le French. I'd argue it's better than Bistro Vendôme.

[TakeFive]

Perhaps I was using 'culinary' in broader context

Originally Posted by RiNo Randy

Is this a joke? Name one restaurant that isn't part of a chain at 9th & CO. Even Postino that you mentioned has locations in 7 states.

It all started from that first location:

AI Overview

Postino WineCafé was founded in 2001 in Phoenix, Arizona, by co-founders Craig DeMarco, Kris DeMarco, Lauren Bailey, and Wyatt Bailey under Upward Projects. The original restaurant opened inside a historic 1950s-era post office in the Arcadia neighborhood, inspiring the Italian name "Postino"

• The First Location: Founders discovered the vacant 1959 Arcadia post office while walking dogs and chose it for its unique neighborhood charm rather than a standard commercial strip
• Adaptive Reuse: The brand built its identity around historic preservation, breathing new life into old, architecturally distinct community buildings instead of building new spaces
• Core Offerings: They popularized approachable wine selections, local craft beers, and signature artisan bruschetta boards

Back in 2001 wine had become especially popular.

NOTE: For an entrepreneur to grow their culinary success is the American Way.

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The Master of Culinary success down here was Sam Fox and his Fox Restaurant concepts.

The Cheesecake Factory to Acquire Fox Restaurant Concepts and Remaining Interest in North Italia
July 31, 2019

“Since making our initial minority investments in North Italia and Flower Child in 2016, we have not only helped fuel the growth of both brands, but also developed a deep relationship with Sam Fox at Fox Restaurant Concepts,” said David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated.

The transactions will be completed for $308 million in cash at closing. An additional $45 million will be due ratably over the next four years. The Company previously invested $88 million in the North Italia and Flower Child concepts over the last three years in anticipation of their purchase.

That is what you'd call a Great Culinary Success.

If you're curious about what Sam Fox is up to now check check out the Global Ambassador. It's hugely popular after dark.

[TakeFive]

Five-Story Office Building Proposed Along South Colorado Boulevard
August 18, 2026 -- Mile High CRE

The proposed office building would occupy 55-65 S. Colorado Blvd., at the intersection of South Colorado Boulevard, South Harrison Street and East Bayaud Avenue.

The concept plans, dated Aug. 14, were submitted by OZ Architecture and show a 38,388-square-foot office building with five levels of office space above a partially below-grade parking level.

[RiNo Randy]

Troy Guard's New Restaurant to Elevate 1900 Lawrence Denver

Follow up on this news article, originally published in December 2025. In the article, it stated a planned Spring 2027 opening. Vinyl wraps recently went up in the space and now it states Coming in Fall 2027. Granted, TAG Restaurant group has been on in expansion recently.

https://www.nakeddenver.com/post/troy-guards-new-restaurant-to-elevate-1900-lawrence-denver

[RiNo Randy]

Hurley seeks public help in bid to bring Sprouts to RiNo

I imagine this would be an interesting article, if it weren't behind a paywall.

As I've said before, I was told on good authority that his was a done deal. The property is the former Blue Moon Brewing space at 38th & Delgany/Chestnut. It was originally a plumbing supply warehouse, so a conversion to a grocery store shouldn't be very difficult. Anyhow, I guess we stay tuned for now.

https://businessden.com/hurley-seeks-public-help-in-bid-to-bring-sprouts-to-rino/