DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[Scottk]

Originally Posted by enjo13

Sure looks it would be tho? One of those first floor concrete buildings with sticks on top.

I thought that at first but I noticed that it is a 7 story building.

As far as I know the tallest wood structures allowed are 6 stories with a concrete first floor.

Maybe they could build 2 levels of concrete and then 5 stick on top?? I don't think I've seen that in denver before though

[PLANSIT]

^ 8th + Lincoln Apartments are 5 over 2, I believe.



Image source: denverinfill.com

[lumos]

Living in Little Raven Street (identified by the Glass House on the right of the image) feels like the heart of an urban centre (in a very good way), but seen from the East one can see how far the last twelve years' development has spread. Confluence will really be a visual anchor next year.

[bcp]

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

[Brainpathology]

Originally Posted by bcp

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

If that's what you're looking for I think we've been over that before and there is no problem with it.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by bcp

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

People thinks it's cheap. Unless it's an old stick-build which elicits a strange sexual arousal due to the oldness.

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by bcp

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

Ironically, I'm working on that post right now, as we speak. It's not a bad project! Decent infill.

[balugajames]

Originally Posted by bcp

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

You obviously have not heard or read the famous true tale of the "Three Little Pigs".

Our distrust of stick builds is ingrained during childhood. And that is a fact...

[TakeFive]

Big Day/Week Ahead

Thanks to www.interpretingthetimes.com

"Campaign cash flows to Colorado lawmakers who will decide construction-defects bill's fate"
Apr 27, 2015 by Ed Sealover, Denver Business Journal

Ed Sealover has a nice DBJ level in-depth report that is worth the read. Apparently it's not without hope. They need one Dem to support the bill to get it out of committee where much easier sailing is presumed.

Ted Leighty, vice president of government affairs for CAR, said the group supports the bill because it believes it can re-start the largely nonexistent affordable-condominium market, which can give home buyers more options and can help to diversity the housing stock going up around commuter-rail lines now under construction as part of RTD's FasTracks project.

He said CAR’s lobbyists continue to talk to her as well as the other five committee Democrats about why they believe the changes to defects law contained in SB 177 could be so beneficial to the housing market.

Here's your hope.

“Our lobbyists were reporting to me that they’re not getting ‘no’s. We’re hearing: ‘I’ve got to wait and see. I’ve got to hear the testimony,’” Leighty said. “I have more optimism than I did [last week] that we can find a way through. But I’d say that it’s still a 50 percent chance. We need one vote, and we can help our legislators make a good choice.”

With more of a public spotlight on a bill for members that aren't used to seeing such public interest, some may be more circumspect in thinking of what is best for their own voting constituency as this issue is not going away unless SB177 passes.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

People thinks it's cheap. Unless it's an old stick-build which elicits a strange sexual arousal due to the oldness.

So you're saying I still have a chance then?

Originally Posted by RyanD

Ironically, I'm working on that post right now, as we speak. It's not a bad project! Decent infill.

I like what Alliance Res. has done with Broadstone Blake Street. Bowling anyone? I also liked what they did with TwentyOne | 01 on Market. They did a nice job of saving/restoring and incorporating the old Piggy Wiggly building.

Courtesy of www.emporis.com

A step below Holland Partners and Zocalo in quality (for example) Alliance Res. still builds a credible quality apartment. Very nice lipstick and decent bones. Although they were the number one apartment developer in the country last year, they haven't been the speediest builder. Their projects should (ultimately) be a step down in rental price point from Holland and Zocalo projects also which is a good thing.

But thinking back they snapped up that block across from Coors Field at a time when nobody was clamoring to build in the Ballpark Neighborhood.

[DownhomeDenver]

Originally Posted by balugajames

You obviously have not heard or read the famous true tale of the "Three Little Pigs".

Our distrust of stick builds is ingrained during childhood. And that is a fact...

Pffft whatev

[seventwenty]

Originally Posted by bcp

22nd and Blake is 6 over 2...what's the problem with stick build? (looking for facts and trends here...not opinion and populist outcry)

While better than an empty lot, it's unfortunate to see stick build if zoning allows for higher buildings.

[Stonemans_rowJ]

As long as the facade is good materials, shouldn't be too bad.

This stick turned out awesome in my opinion:

[BG918]

^ I realize not every new building needs retail space especially a lot of the Ballpark infill but not having it at the corner of 15th & Little Raven was a big missed opportunity IMO. Or they could have at least made the windows larger there, it just feels strange walking by it even though overall it's a nice building.

I had hopes for something taller at 18th. & Little Raven but it looks like a decent project for that site. Will the last remaining vacant lot at 19th end up as townhomes? Once Riverfront Park is built out the next place for more density is along the river at Platte St north of 16th. I doubt the zoning allows anything tall though.

[Stonemans_rowJ]

Originally Posted by BG918

^ I realize not every new building needs retail space especially a lot of the Ballpark infill but not having it at the corner of 15th & Little Raven was a big missed opportunity IMO. Or they could have at least made the windows larger there, it just feels strange walking by it even though overall it's a nice building.

I had hopes for something taller at 18th. & Little Raven but it looks like a decent project for that site. Will the last remaining vacant lot at 19th end up as townhomes? Once Riverfront Park is built out the next place for more density is along the river at Platte St north of 16th. I doubt the zoning allows anything tall though.

There are often vacant retail spaces in the 3 adjacent buildings, so I don't know if retail would have been a slam dunk there. I believe Platte St. is mostly MX-5. The Vitamin Cottage building received non-historic status last year.

[bcp]

Originally Posted by seventwenty

While better than an empty lot, it's unfortunate to see stick build if zoning allows for higher buildings.

an under-use of allowed height is a shame...but there are many factors contributing to that...not sure we can blame 2x6's

even a 5 story CMU clad with brick building would be a shame if it grossly under-used it's height allowances.

[TakeFive]

Moar apartments please

There's plenty of room at the back end of the pipeline for new projects.

After completing the largest apartment sale ever I wonder what Simpson Housing has in mind? A long time high quality builder they could focus near downtown or in the suburbs or both? They are currently working on three projects: the 165-unit Hartley Flats at 27th, the 114-unit Studio LoHi and the 354-unit SkyHouse (partnership). No doubt there will be distributions to partners but presumably plenty left over for more new fun stuff. I wouldn't be surprised to see one signature type project downtown of say 30 stories or at least something in the 15 story range.

The Golden Triangle looks ripe at this point, doesn't it? I'll assume the 13th and Cherokee site needs a land sale?

TOD's anyone?

[Cirrus]

Originally Posted by seventwenty

it's unfortunate to see stick build if zoning allows for higher buildings.

Not if we'd have to wait 30 years for a higher building.

[TakeFive]

Zoning Questions

What is the height limit in the Golden Triangle and what is it across from Coors Field on that parking lot/land at 20th and Blake street?

[rds70]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

Zoning Questions

What is the height limit in the Golden Triangle and what is it across from Coors Field on that parking lot/land at 20th and Blake street?

Golden Triangle:


Maximum Height
The maximum height of structures shall not exceed 175 feet above the elevation of Broadway
Street as measured at the highest point on Broadway directly east or west of the subject property,
as the case may be, as determined by the City Engineer. Upon request by the applicant, the
Zoning Administrator, after consulting with the Manager and the chairperson of the Planning
Board or their designated representatives, may increase the maximum heights by up to 25 feet
according to the Administrative Adjustment procedures in Section 12.4.5, in order to compensate
for design constraints imposed by unusually high water tables, irregularly shaped parcels
not caused by the property owner, and other unusual site conditions not caused by the property
owner.