DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by BG918

Tony's Market is just down the street from this proposed Sky House. I live nearby and go often for prepared foods and small items, usually walking there. There's a full meat and seafood market and bakery. It's a fantastic urban grocery.

It's also retarded expensive. Like making 65k a year expensive

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by Scottk

It's also retarded expensive. Like making 65k a year expensive

If you're living in Skyhouse, you're going to be making that.

[blm3034L!fe]

I know it's a pipe dream. But I like to dream big for this great city we are lucky enough to call home.

I was checking out the renderings of 1144 14th street Hines Proposal. And it's slated for 38 Stories and 590' but I was thinking about it's position and it's overall impact and location to Union Station.

And I got to thinking, that would actually be THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A NEW TALLEST SIGNATURE TOWER!!!

Think about it, the Four Seasons is across the street, the Convention Center is just up the Street, then Union Station is just down the street.

Does anyone else see the potential and logistics of what's swirling around in my cranium? Or have I lost my damn mind?

I say go 70/75 Stories And 1000'/1100' tenants would fill the tower, no doubt. It would have the latest and greatest and it's proximity would make it a no brainer.

But what do I know eh.

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by RyanD

If you're living in Skyhouse, you're going to be making that.

Yes but my point was more that Tonys can't be considered a viable option as a downtown grocer if only the upper middle class can afford it

[awholeparade]

Tony's Market is 1.2 miles away from where Skyhouse will be. They might get Skyhouse residents driving there, but certainly not walking there.

[bobg]

Skyhouse has PLENTY of grocery options within a mile by foot/biking. As has been mentioned the Safeway is about the same distance as Tony's (at about 0.9 miles ). Additionally, there's a Vitamin Cottage where the office depot used to be on Colfax, and Marczyk's on 17th, both of which are closer than the aforementioned Safeway and Tony's. Then you throw in the KS on Speer,the convenience stores scattered everywhere, and the two pharmacies on 16th.

[EngiNerd]

Originally Posted by Scottk

Yes but my point was more that Tonys can't be considered a viable option as a downtown grocer if only the upper middle class can afford it

Who do you think this apartment development (and pretty my 99% of those going up in downtown right now) is catering to, the middle class?

Here, I will take a few snippets from the press release for the Houston SkyHouse and then you can make your own conclusions. The price per square foot will not be less than $2.50 with those amenities and finishes, that's $1,500 per month in rent for 600sf. If you go by the 30% of income rule, that would mean you are making in the 60-65k range to afford the place.

Ground has broken on Houston’s second SkyHouse luxury apartment tower, representatives said Monday.
....
SkyHouse River Oaks will feature one- and two-bedroom units with floor-to-ceiling glass, among other high-end finishes. The so-called “SkyHouse” will be on the 25th floor and includes a club room, fitness area and outdoor plaza with two swimming pools, as well as fireplaces and kitchens.
....
The projects aim to provide cost-competitive urban living targeting a younger population.

“This is a demographically driven program targeting younger residents who desire a high-rise urban lifestyle with entertainment and leisure options close by,” Mark Stewart, director of investments for Batson-Cook Development, said in a statement Monday. “Between the years 2012 and 2017, 4.2 million people will turn 22 every single year and for many in this demographic, they will find SkyHouse to be an ideal place to call home.”

[mhays]

I assume that in Denver like many cities, $65,000 is below the household average, and maybe even the household median. It's the middle of middle class.

With that income, many people afford even $2,500 rents. Not that it's easy.

But that's the living-downtown equation. Residents generally don't have kids, and many don't have cars. Much like living in San Francisco often means spending 50-60% (or way more) of your income on housing, living in a big downtown can mean the same. With minimal other costs, that can work just fine. That's particularly true with condos, since the payments will seem cheaper over time.

[EngiNerd]

Median household income for 80202 is $67k. Which is why I tried to point out to ScottK above his comment of Tony's only being for those earning 65k....well if that's they case they are hitting their average downtown target market.

Average rent in 80202 is $2.18/SF. And I agree if you cut out some of the other expenses then more rent is achievable, its just priorities is all, like everything in life.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by Scottk

Yes but my point was more that Tonys can't be considered a viable option as a downtown grocer if only the upper middle class can afford it

Downtown is/will be an upper-middle class neighborhood. Let the commoners/proletariat trudge in from their dwellings outside of the city center. That is, until the day that they grow tired of their forced commute from the tract housing in Aurora and lack of options and rise up. Yes, rise up at the urging and leadership of a mysterious figure with flowing locks known only as Comrade Bunt.

[TakeFive]

Didn't Jan Bucholz write for the Denver Business Journal at one time?

I noticed the name Simpson Housing attached to a couple of the SkyHouses. Indeed they are from Denver so I'd guess that they will be involved with SkyHouse Denver.

I also found the grand opening article for SkyHouse Austin on the Austin Business Journal which is worth the read.

According to the Skyhouse Austin website, a one-bedroom, 679-square-foot unit on the 22nd floor will cost $2,095 a month. A three-bedroom unit on the second floor is going for $3,290 per month.

[King DenCity]

Originally Posted by blm3034L!fe

I know it's a pipe dream. But I like to dream big for this great city we are lucky enough to call home.

I was checking out the renderings of 1144 14th street Hines Proposal. And it's slated for 38 Stories and 590' but I was thinking about it's position and it's overall impact and location to Union Station.

And I got to thinking, that would actually be THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR A NEW TALLEST SIGNATURE TOWER!!!

Think about it, the Four Seasons is across the street, the Convention Center is just up the Street, then Union Station is just down the street.

Does anyone else see the potential and logistics of what's swirling around in my cranium? Or have I lost my damn mind?

I say go 70/75 Stories And 1000'/1100' tenants would fill the tower, no doubt. It would have the latest and greatest and it's proximity would make it a no brainer.

But what do I know eh.

I think you are spot on. But the developers don't want that.

[DenverPoke]

RDS posted a few new renderings of 1144 15th.

Going to be a beauty. Let's get Confluence, 1144 15th, and 1401 Lawrence going so we can add some more modern design to the skyline!

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by blm3034L!fe

Does anyone else see the potential and logistics of what's swirling around in my cranium? Or have I lost my damn mind?

Sure, and I also see a $600M tower instead of a $250M tower. The NPV of the project probably shrinks dramatically because the payback period is outside of whatever acceptable time frame the developer is using.

Damn economics.

[Cirrus]

Originally Posted by DenverPoke

RDS posted a few new renderings of 1144 15th.

lol. Today in misleading renderings:



It's a heavenly crystal charging up out of the hellish dull red masses! I guess they were going for more subtle than a halo would've accomplished:




But wait, what if someone else learns photoshop?

[RyanD]

I would be totally fine if Denver was the new capital city of the Protoss race.. 1144 15th Street is a great start to making that possible.

But first, we need to construct additional pylons.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Yes, rise up at the urging and leadership of a mysterious figure with flowing locks known only as Comrade Bunt.

Someday. You don't need armor when your enemies are on bicycles.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by Scottk

It's also retarded expensive. Like making 65k a year expensive

65k is retarded expensive? Yeesh. Also, "retarded expensive" ??? That is both offensive (the r-word is no good) and makes no logical sense as an expression.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Damn economics.

I didn't want to embarrass the thread but if you've been following the news then you know that Aurora edged out Washington DC and Austin to take 1st place.
Denver got nary a sniff.

But then we've known all along that Aurora was an up and comer whereas Denver has likely already seen its day in the sun.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I didn't want to embarrass the thread but if you've been following the news then you know that Aurora edged out Washington DC and Austin to take 1st place.
Denver got nary a sniff.

But then we've known all along that Aurora was an up and comer whereas Denver has likely already seen its day in the sun.

And the feature photo? A half-built VA hospital. Awww yeah.