DENVER | Main Development Thread #7

[Buffaboy]

Bennett Wagner Grody Architects Joins CannonDesign

DENVER, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CannonDesign announced today that Denver-based Bennett Wagner Grody Architects has joined the firm. This merger establishes CannonDesign's first office in Colorado and better positions the practice to serve clients throughout the Mountain State region.

Founded in 1989 and in its 28th year of practicing architecture, Bennett Wagner Grody Architects is known for designing spaces that enliven the human experience and address environmental, social and economic challenges. Recent projects include Colorado State University's Behavioral Sciences Building, Colorado Mesa University's Engineering Building and numerous projects with Kaiser Permanente.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/02/pr-newswire-bennett-wagner-grody-architects-joins-cannondesign.html

[RyanD]

Oh what a difference one year makes:

11/02/2016:



11/02/2017:

[seventwenty]

That’s a cool mini sun in that photo.

[Robert.hampton]

Originally Posted by seventwenty

That’s a cool mini sun in that photo.

Anyone know the story of why WeWork backed out? They are expanding like crazy and opened a new hq in a signature tower in sf......but decided denver wasn't their market for more afte signing an loi ??? Smells fishy

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Robert.hampton

Anyone know the story of why WeWork backed out? They are expanding like crazy and opened a new hq in a signature tower in sf......but decided denver wasn't their market for more afte signing an loi ??? Smells fishy

Let me guess that you're referring to WeWork having executed a Letter of Intent to lease space in 1144 15th St and later deciding not to take the space?

I was only aware of WeWork being a growing successful company but w/o that much of a presence in Denver I paid little attention. One of the knocks on WeWork is that they're just a real estate company renting out space and not worthy of their high valuation since there's no disruptive tech involved. But that was before they received a $4.4 billion investment from Softbank, a Japanese company. Not aware of the terms but that is obviously a game changer.

It appears they want to change the focus of the company somewhat, perhaps by leasing out space to tech companies for shorter term project specific or just expansion purposes. Or according to this article: Now WeWork Wants To Build Out Your Office And Run It For You. They've also been expanding internationally.

It could be that Denver doesn't have enough of a presence of larger tech companies like an Austin for example. It could be that they want to focus on larger, more international cities. It could be that they want to spend predominantly on overseas expansion creating a world-wide brand. It could be any number of things.

For anyone who's curious Recode has an informative article featuring WeWork's pending new HQ in the new Salesforce Tower pending construction completion.

[CherryCreek]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Let me guess that you're referring to WeWork having executed a Letter of Intent to lease space in 1144 15th St and later deciding not to take the space?

I was only aware of WeWork being a growing successful company but w/o that much of a presence in Denver I paid little attention. One of the knocks on WeWork is that they're just a real estate company renting out space and not worthy of their high valuation since there's no disruptive tech involved. But that was before they received a $4.4 billion investment from Softbank, a Japanese company. Not aware of the terms but that is obviously a game changer.

It appears they want to change the focus of the company somewhat, perhaps by leasing out space to tech companies for shorter term project specific or just expansion purposes. Or according to this article: Now WeWork Wants To Build Out Your Office And Run It For You. They've also been expanding internationally.

It could be that Denver doesn't have enough of a presence of larger tech companies like an Austin for example. It could be that they want to focus on larger, more international cities. It could be that they want to spend predominantly on overseas expansion creating a world-wide brand. It could be any number of things.

For anyone who's curious Recode has an informative article featuring WeWork's pending new HQ in the new Salesforce Tower pending construction completion.

All true. Or it could be that found a better option elsewhere in Denver. LOIs don't mean squat.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by RyanD

We have a bunch of Le Meridien/AC photos on DenverInfill. Nice looking project!

https://denverinfill.com/blog/2017/11/le-meridienac-hotel-final-update.html

Great photo and photos on Denver Infill.

Did you know?

Swinerton Celebrates 75 Years In Denver In Hotel It Just Finished
October 19, 2017 Margaret Jackson, Bisnow Denver

Swinerton Builders celebrated 75 years in Denver on the rooftop deck of the dual-branded hotel it completed just weeks ago for Marriott International Inc. The 272-room Le Meridien Denver Downtown and the 223-room AC Hotel by Marriott are owned and managed by White Lodging Services Corp.

For anybody who's curious, it's true, even I can't remember back that far.

Originally Posted by CherryCreek

LOIs don't mean squat.

Isn't it like one step up from the guy who meets three different women at a Rockies game, collects their phone numbers and says he'll call them sometime?

[Denveropolis]

For what it's worth (probably not much) today is the 4th day of core samples being taken at the 1901 Arapahoe site.

[Robert.hampton]

Originally Posted by CherryCreek

All true. Or it could be that found a better option elsewhere in Denver. LOIs don't mean squat.

Yeah I was just wondering if anyone had inside information. Seems like 1144 15th is exactly the kind of building WeWork goes after, so I was surprised that they pulled out of such a large space.

[seventwenty]

Denver begins demolition work for National Western Center project

Originally Posted by Denver Post

Ceremony [at the old International Paper site] marks start of ground clearance work two years after voters approved tax extensions

The International Paper site, bought by the city for $6 million in October 2015, was the first purchase made to assemble the campus.

. . .

There’s plenty of ground-clearance work to do on the eventual 250-acre campus before vast new livestock and equestrian centers can begin rising, likely in 2021.

After the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo’s annual run in January, contractors will begin extensive building demolitions, environmental cleanup, road reconstruction and railroad consolidation.

. . .

The decade-long project will transform the area into a year-round tourism, event, education and agricultural innovation center, with Colorado State University set to play a prominent role. The stock show has committed to stay on the campus, which is expected to host 100 more events a year.

[Denver Dweller]

https://www.denverite.com/elitch-gardens-not-going-away-anytime-soon-owner-says-45175/

[Denvergotback]

Originally Posted by Denver Dweller

https://www.denverite.com/elitch-gardens-not-going-away-anytime-soon-owner-says-45175/

Personally I actually enjoy having Elitch Gardens part of downtown, it adds character and I really like the fact of having that one more attraction bringing in suburbanites and out of towners into the downtown area. And its unique in the fact that no other downtown has it. The parking lots on the other hand I do agree with that they should be redeveloped. It will help encourage those wanting to go to the park and stadium to park elsewhere and or take the train/buses in creating a more vibrant area, maybe part of the redevelopment of the lots can include a dense urban/small shopping/bar/dining area like a more modern Larimer square connecting the Pepsi center and Elitch gardens. I think that area can be something really special and unique only to Denver if ever taken really seriously. Add some modern art/sculptures along the new developments and add incentives for small local businesses along it and really make it a must visit area of the city.

[transistor]

Originally Posted by Denvergotback

Personally I actually enjoy having Elitch Gardens part of downtown, it adds character and I really like the fact of having that one more attraction bringing in suburbanites and out of towners into the downtown area. And its unique in the fact that no other downtown has it. The parking lots on the other hand I do agree with that they should be redeveloped. It will help encourage those wanting to go to the park and stadium to park elsewhere and or take the train/buses in creating a more vibrant area, maybe part of the redevelopment of the lots can include a dense urban/small shopping/bar/dining area like a more modern Larimer square connecting the Pepsi center and Elitch gardens. I think that area can be something really special and unique only to Denver if ever taken really seriously. Add some modern art/sculptures along the new developments and add incentives for small local businesses along it and really make it a must visit area of the city.

Most of the people that go to Elitch never leave the Elitch grounds. They add nothing to downtown except for traffic. Also theme parks are tacky as hell, we may as well build a 30 ft Coors can, advertise it as the worlds biggest, and watch the weirdos roll in from all across the Midwest.

[mr1138]

Originally Posted by Denvergotback

Personally I actually enjoy having Elitch Gardens part of downtown, it adds character and I really like the fact of having that one more attraction bringing in suburbanites and out of towners into the downtown area. And its unique in the fact that no other downtown has it. The parking lots on the other hand I do agree with that they should be redeveloped. It will help encourage those wanting to go to the park and stadium to park elsewhere and or take the train/buses in creating a more vibrant area, maybe part of the redevelopment of the lots can include a dense urban/small shopping/bar/dining area like a more modern Larimer square connecting the Pepsi center and Elitch gardens. I think that area can be something really special and unique only to Denver if ever taken really seriously. Add some modern art/sculptures along the new developments and add incentives for small local businesses along it and really make it a must visit area of the city.

I'm totally with you here. The problem with Elitches is that it has been trying to compete as a "Six Flags" style park for decades, with less than half the rides and no room to expand. The sea of parking is typical of the type of park (think "Worlds of Fun") that it is trying to be, but probably is its biggest failing in an urban location (again, not enough room to expand either the park or the parking, but still trying its hardest to attract people in from the suburbs - which it does less well every year that it fails to add another big roller coaster, because it can't). That said, it is definitely fun to have on the skyline, is a big part of our city's history, and I think could have a long future if they could re-think the business model (think old school ticket books rather than an all-day admission ticket). Stop pretending to be a top-tier thrill park, and focus on bringing back the garden-like ambiance of the old Elitches, preferably with plenty of beer. Remember that much of it is in the flood zone and cannot be redeveloped anyway. I have expanded on this idea in the past and don't feel the need to do so right now. Unfortunately, I think if they simply continue trying to be Denver's primary thrill park with no acknowledgement of their inevitable inability to expand, they will most likely eventually fail - that land is too damn valuable.

And no, theme parks are not "tacky as hell" just because one fails to understand why others find them fun.

[mojiferous]

Originally Posted by mr1138

Stop pretending to be a top-tier thrill park, and focus on bringing back the garden-like ambiance of the old Elitches, preferably with plenty of beer. Remember that much of it is in the flood zone and cannot be redeveloped anyway. I have expanded on this idea in the past and don't feel the need to do so right now. Unfortunately, I think if they simply continue trying to be Denver's primary thrill park with no acknowledgement of their inevitable inability to expand, they will most likely eventually fail - that land is too damn valuable.

I've mentioned this over and over again too - we're a town that brews a lot of beer and Elitches could easily be turned into something like the Theresienwiese...
And there are definitely more horrible parking craters that need filling first and foremost.

[Denver Dweller]

http://www.businessden.com/2017/11/07/gr...b1506f0c-ebfb14a64a-147998669#newsletter

[transistor]

Originally Posted by mr1138

And no, theme parks are not "tacky as hell" just because one fails to understand why others find them fun.

This is every trip to Elitch Gardens summed up in a short and concise article. They attract nothing but the dregs of humanity.

https://www.theonion.com/nation-s-gratuitously-sexual-couples-announce-plans-to-1819576732

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by transistor

Most of the people that go to Elitch never leave the Elitch grounds. They add nothing to downtown except for traffic. Also theme parks are tacky as hell, we may as well build a 30 ft Coors can, advertise it as the worlds biggest, and watch the weirdos roll in from all across the Midwest.

Good Lord... Rest assured that downtown Denver will always be elite enough; I guarantee it. It's important to point out that it takes a lot of worker bees to sustain all that cachet and quiche. In addition to being a fabulous amenity for the tapestry of various neighborhood residents, including lots of diversity, Elitch Gardens substantially adds variety and character to the growing glassy class but dullness of downtown. BTW, that piece in The Onion has Nothing to do with Elitch Gardens.

Originally Posted by Denvergotback

Personally I actually enjoy having Elitch Gardens part of downtown, it adds character and I really like the fact of having that one more attraction bringing in suburbanites and out of towners into the downtown area. And its unique in the fact that no other downtown has it. The parking lots on the other hand I do agree with that they should be redeveloped. It will help encourage those wanting to go to the park and stadium to park elsewhere and or take the train/buses in creating a more vibrant area, maybe part of the redevelopment of the lots can include a dense urban/small shopping/bar/dining area like a more modern Larimer square connecting the Pepsi center and Elitch gardens. I think that area can be something really special and unique only to Denver if ever taken really seriously. Add some modern art/sculptures along the new developments and add incentives for small local businesses along it and really make it a must visit area of the city.

Superbly stated. As to your vision it's worth mentioning that Revesco who put this deal together is a retail oriented group as is Kroenke who was brought in as a partner.

[mr1138]

Originally Posted by transistor

This is every trip to Elitch Gardens summed up in a short and concise article. They attract nothing but the dregs of humanity.

https://www.theonion.com/nation-s-gratuitously-sexual-couples-announce-plans-to-1819576732

Sorry, I wasn't aware that you were the official taste police.

I guess if theme parks are tacky, we should just get rid of all the old neon signs on Colfax, anything left from the old Route 66, most of Estes Park, the last remaining drive-in movie theaters, etc. ect. I mean what purpose do they serve other than being reminders of kitschy Americana anyway? The people who enjoy that kind of thing I guess are just a bunch of degenerates who have no business mixing with "classy people."

[Denvergotback]

As I see the argument why some people want the park moved, I can't help but think that the one thing Denver does better than most cities in America is they have almost all of their big attractions in the city's core (outside of the mountains). It helps make downtown as vibrant as it is. Look at Dallas, it looks like a huge downtown from the outside but it almost doesn't feel like a big city when you go downtown, its like you have the tall buildings but nobody on the streets outside of office hours. I think Dallas would've been a huge vibrant city if they didn't banish most of their main attractions out to Arlington.

I'm not saying that by moving Elitches that its going to hurt the vibrancy downtown. But it definitely helps with it there. It may not be significant, but it does help. Just one more reason to go downtown. Just one more reason for outsiders and suburbanites to say "dang, downtown Denver is awesome." I mean nobody thinks going to downtown Houston or Phoenix is awesome.

With Elitches there it does open some development avenues that can be extremely unique.