DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[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/

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by 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

It's impressive the lengths that landlords will go to to secure a ground floor restaurant.

[RiNo Randy]

3850 Blake Street now has a name. Appears that this project will be know as NICO as signage on a corner of the 15th and 16th floor wall panels was installed recently.

On that note, most of the 15th floor wall panels are in place. They should wrap that portion of the project up next week.

It appears there was an event held there today (big white tents, tables, chairs, etc.) so a milestone, like topping out, may have happened recently.

All three other projects along Blake/Walnut are making significant vertical progress above grade.

[Fritzdude]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

It's impressive the lengths that landlords will go to to secure a ground floor restaurant.

True. They’ll do anything and everything except drop the base rate. Got to keep up the illusion that this is a normal market rate retail price for those bond investors who are carrying their mortgage note or to capital markets that may lend against their leveraged assets. Gotta keep that price-point illusion up.

[TakeFive]

Very interesting...

Originally Posted by Fritzdude

True. They’ll do anything and everything except drop the base rate. Got to keep up the illusion that this is a normal market rate retail price for those bond investors who are carrying their mortgage note or to capital markets that may lend against their leveraged assets. Gotta keep that price-point illusion up.

CBRE contends they have a high quality asset since there won't be any new construction of more buildings in downtown/RiNo for years. But it's also a bit like a 'house of cards.'

The problem is twofold; 1st there doesn't seem to be any NEW demand by companies moving into the area so that leaves them dependent on existing tenant lease rollovers. Then the question is how many of those tenants will jump at really nice new space versus taking advantage of much lower bargain rates at older buildings? It appears as though this will play out like a slow motion movie.

[TakeFive]

Sounds a lot like Denver

Developers Line Up To Convert Boston Offices To Housing, But Most Still Stuck At Starting Gate
August 20, 2026 By Taylor Driscoll, Boston

Denver is a step ahead though if Asher Luzzatto is successful.

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AI Overview

The 17-story Columbine Place office tower at 216 16th St. in downtown Denver recently sold at auction for $3.6 million.

• New Ownership: The distressed tower was acquired by the entity behind Infinity Home Healthcare

BONUS: IF Infinity Home Healthcare plans to occupy the building they would be new to downtown Denver. Their current location is 1450 S Havana St, Aurora. Interesting how things happen, no?

Columbine Place


Credit DBJ

[TakeFive]

U.S. Census Bureau dropped some updated population growth figures.

Weld County leads the pack for Colorado’s population growth
Aug. 24, 2026 By Ava Kian

After years of being one of the fastest-growing states, Colorado is now in the middle of the pack for growth compared to the rest of the U.S.

Weld has three of the top five growing cities in the state: Erie, Windsor and Johnstown. The other two are Colorado Springs and Aurora. The largest growth across Colorado, accounting for 90 percent of the state’s growth, is along the Front Range.

So what’s behind the rapid growth in Weld? Marquez says jobs and housing affordability are the most important factors that draw people in. Some areas have slowed more – like Denver, as people move elsewhere in the state, said state demographer Neal Marquez.