DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[PLANSIT]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

It's a convention-center hotel, Denver already has one of those in the 1,100 room Hyatt Regency (along with the 1,200 room Sheraton close-by) and I don't think that the city can support another one. Now a smaller 500-600 room hotel is a strong possibility, but that's not going to get you a 90-story building.

As mentioned before:

http://http://m.bizjournals.com/denver/n...ild-another-major-convention.html?r=full

[PLANSIT]

Originally Posted by Scottk

I really hope it looks better than the one they are building at 14th and glenarm... I am not a fan of the buildings white lodging has developed in denver recently -- they all look so cheap.

I wouldn't get your hopes up too much.

[rds70]

Don't forget about 1550 California. It is listed as a hotel and office tower with an observation platform. I think it was noted at one point that the preliminary plan was for it to reach 900 feet.

[Interzen]

Looks Like the Sprocket Design-Build "High Iron Point" renderings were more than just a concept.

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/r...-development-to-bring-condos-retail.html

[EngiNerd]

Except the High Iron Point renderings were for a development on Denargo Street next to the tracks, the article states that the property for this one is between 31st and 35th on Brighton Blvd (which is pretty vague in of itself).

[Denver]

Originally Posted by EngiNerd

Except the High Iron Point renderings were for a development on Denargo Street next to the tracks, the article states that the property for this one is between 31st and 35th on Brighton Blvd (which is pretty vague in of itself).

I think that is the wrong location....

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by PLANSIT

As mentioned before:

http://http://m.bizjournals.com/denver/n...ild-another-major-convention.html?r=full

You forgot to "test drive" your link. Let me see if this one works. Yep, that works.

On Monday, however, Rachel Benedick, vice president of sales and services for Visit Denver.... She told a special issues committee of the Denver City Council that a cities such as Washington D.C. and Nashville recently ramped up competition for national conventions by building major hotels adjacent to or connected to their convention centers. These facilities, which also offer extensive meeting space for breakout sessions or even entire conventions, increasingly are in demand from convention planners, she said.

But the only other downtown hotel with more than the 700 to 900 rooms that organizers of big conventions often seek is the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel — and roughly 50 percent of survey respondents have told Visit Denver that they will not use it in conjunction with convention center events because, at 3-1/2 blocks away, it is too far for conventioneers to travel.

I would add that of the other 50% that would consider the Sheraton we'd still have a competitive disadvantage to other cities that might still make us losers.

Response from Councilman Nevitt:

Councilman Chris Nevitt was the first one to question, then, whether the City Council needed to get involved in some way to stop some of the smaller hotels and establishments that are eying space and find a way to reserve land for a second major convention hotel.

When Austin completes their new Fairmont Austin Hotel in a couple of years, they will have two 1000+ room anchor hotels for their convention center.

If another anchor convention hotel isn't developed in Denver then it will be a lost opportunity and a competitive disadvantage. Block 138 is right there and it would be perfect.

[Interzen]

It looks like you are right.

I just went back and looked at the concept page and it does show the development right on the river where this announcement is for the land along Brighton blvd which is across Arkins Ct from the river, or maybe even across Brighton.

I know there are tentative plans to move Arkins ct to the north of there to make room for a new park but I can't see how that would affect this section.

The scope and usage description fits though

Edit:
This image from the Greenway Foundation's South Platte River Plan does show a sliver of private land on the river side of Arkins Ct.



Source: http://thegreenwayfoundation.org/web/files/2713/6562/0518/ArtBridgeRinoPark.pdf

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by PLANSIT

As mentioned before:

http://http://m.bizjournals.com/denver/n...ild-another-major-convention.html?r=full

Yeah, I read that study, but I recall it advocating for 500-800 room full-service hotels, not a 1000-room conference hotels. I do think that there's a difference. But, I might be wrong in what the study recommended.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

If another anchor convention hotel isn't developed in Denver then it will be a lost opportunity and a competitive disadvantage. Block 138 is right there and it would be perfect.

No it's not. It's parceled with multiple owners, already has one hotel taking up a third of the block, and you can't build a mega-block hotel with horizontally contiguous conference and ballroom spaces. Better options are Block 162 (with one owner who is rumored to be already working on a large-scale hotel) or Block 170.

If what is needed is another large conference hotel, than let's starts throwing some money at Makovsky.

[rml213]

Not to sound like a "i'm so cool, I know what's going on here" type of guy but I am privy to info on the plan for this site and all I can say right now is that it would absolutely alter the landscape of RiNo if approved. Unfortunately, there are a ton of moving parts so it's about 50/50 right now at best.

Originally Posted by Interzen

It looks like you are right.

I just went back and looked at the concept page and it does show the development right on the river where this announcement is for the land along Brighton blvd which is across Arkins Ct from the river, or maybe even across Brighton.

I know there are tentative plans to move Arkins ct to the north of there to make room for a new park but I can't see how that would affect this section.

The scope and usage description fits though

[Interzen]

Originally Posted by rml213

there are a ton of moving parts so it's about 50/50 right now at best.

Like moving a city street or two

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

No it's not. It's parceled with multiple owners, already has one hotel taking up a third of the block, and you can't build a mega-block hotel with horizontally contiguous conference and ballroom spaces. Better options are Block 162 (with one owner who is rumored to be already working on a large-scale hotel) or Block 170.

If what is needed is another large conference hotel, than let's starts throwing some money at Makovsky.

Don't see Block 170 an an option (other than for expanding the convention center).

Block 162 should be fine. I still like/prefer 138 but either one passes the eye test.

[navyweaxguy]

That's pretty pathetic to say 3.5 blocks away is too far for people to walk.

[TakeFive]

Rant:
At some point you have to quit chasing the market but Denver is not there yet.

Metro Phoenix literally prints money from holding two college bowl games a year including a turn at the Championship game plus a turn with holding the Super Bowl and now they've added the NFL Pro Bowl. Add in all the Spring Training baseball games and you have a four month stretch that makes the whole year a bonanza. People fly in, stay at your hotels, eat at restaurants and bars, have a good time, drop a bundle and then go home. It's a temporary pain in the arse but so profitable and worth it. Spring Training is not so bad as the ballparks are spread all over The Valley.

Denver can't compete with this obviously but the point is that Phoenix has worked hard to maintain, enhance and grow to their tourism strengths.

The Colorado Convention Center has proved its mettle and is the best cash cow that Denver has. There is no better way to "import" cash into the economy. They need to be alert for staying competitive. Don't lose what you've already established and worked hard to get.

It is now clear that Denver would benefit from having another anchor convention hotel that's as close as possible to the center to stay competitive. Denver also needs to preserve the ability for (one more) expansion of the convention center to the south.

Your Honor, I rest my case.

[DownhomeDenver]

Originally Posted by rml213

Not to sound like a "i'm so cool, I know what's going on here" type of guy but I am privy to info on the plan for this site and all I can say right now is that it would absolutely alter the landscape of RiNo if approved. Unfortunately, there are a ton of moving parts so it's about 50/50 right now at best.

Soooooo according to Sprockets website and their renderings with map of the project, this looks like 3325 DENARGO ST. This property is owned by:

PROJECT RINO LLC
27777 FRANKLIN RD STE 200
SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034-8205

It's currently an old warehouse and vacant land. Additionally, there is a rezoning request on the land from industrial to a PUD which there will be a hearing on November 19th. If I can remember correctly.

Now, if the article from the DBJ mentions Brighton Blvd between 31st and 35th then they may be referring to 3101-3301 Brighton Blvd which is owned by:

RIVER NORTH PROPERTIES LLC
10231 PRESTWICK TRL
LONE TREE, CO 80124-9747

However, this appears to be a pretty large site AND the current industrial buildings on the site are being cleaned up by an environmental company. So, perhaps theyre cleaning up asbestos, etc then the buildings will be torn down. This site is adjacent to the old Beleza development on 31st and Brighton.

But not sure....only my observations from being in that area lately.

[DownhomeDenver]

But since I will be in the area later this week I can check to see which building is being demolished and then we will have our answer.

[Interzen]

Originally Posted by DownhomeDenver

But since I will be in the area later this week I can check to see which building is being demolished and then we will have our answer.

I'm betting it is around 3101-3301 Brighton Blvd. and not the exact project on Denargo as pointed out earlier. Still could be related. Maybe the location is shifting north to be adjacent to the proposed park I referenced.

[TakeFive]

About Time

Per DBJ:

The larger general fund will enable the city to add 30 employees to the community planning department. The new employees would help speed the approval process for building permits.

[navyweaxguy]

I will work there for minimum wage and even bring my own Approved stamp!