DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

I don't think people in Denver dress terribly, just casually. A big difference. We're not slobs, just laid back. Frankly, one of the things I love most about the Denver culture is the fact that most professionals here are quite content to not have to wear the silly corporate dress uniform. The notion that someone must wear a suit & tie or dress & heals to be considered "professional" is absurd and rooted in classism and prejudice. The world would have a lot less discrimination and intolerance if we stopped judging people by what they look like--and that includes what they wear.

Sure, but that doesn't happen; classism and prejudice are plainly evident in the corporate environment in Colorado. Even though people in Colorado are "laid back" that doesn't mean that they are not being judged on their appearance for one second. We're no more laid back than the East Coast, but we're certainly more passive-aggressive in displaying our discrimination's and intolerance. As Stomeman alluded to- there's a difference between someone wearing jeans and a tee from Old Navy versus from Nordstroms and people are still being judged for it. I think that the business informal attire is a bit more forgiving when one is being judged on how presentable they are- as long as a suit fits a person than they are deemed good. There are exceptions, such as in finance, where informal attire is judged on a more nuanced level, but in Colorado this wouldn't apply as much.

In Colorado I also think that people tend to be far more judgmental of how one looks physically than in place such as the East Coast. The fat guy in jeans and a t-shirt is going to judged more harshly here than a fat guy in a suit and tie in New York.

[Mulligan]

Are we really having a fashion discussion?

[DenverInfill]

1144 groundbreaking is happening soon. Stay tuned.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by Mulligan

Are we really having a fashion discussion?

It wouldn't be the Denver thread if we didn't have some serious digressions.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by Stonemans_rowJ

People in SF might dress casually, but they're wearing higher end clothing. There's a difference between shopping for jeans and a tee at Old Navy and The Rail from Nordstrom.

This is why it is absurd to think Cherry Creek would ever get a Bloomingdales. We couldn't support the Saks. We have a long long way to go before we would get department store of that caliber again in my opinion.

Not my area of knowledge but I couldn't recall a Bloomingdale's in Arizona. Scottsdale has always been a shopping mecca of sorts. Perhaps it's because they play up their Western Heritage so well. The presence of so many high end resorts may also be a factor. Who knew that some of their best customers are Mexican? Yup, they come up in droves from the likes of Monterrey, Mexico City or one of the many resort communities.

Anyway, no Bloomingdale's at the Scottsdale Fashion Square. I believe that both centers (Scottsdale and Chery Creek) generate about the same sales per square foot or about $750 per. Scottsdale though does it out of two million Sq. Ft. Their anchors are Barneys New York, Dillard's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. But no Bloomingdale's.

Being a curious sort, the Bloomingdale's site tells me that they have their stores primarily in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and New York. I believe they've tried twice to go into Dallas and failed.

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Sure, but that doesn't happen; classism and prejudice are plainly evident in the corporate environment in Colorado. Even though people in Colorado are "laid back" that doesn't mean that they are not being judged on their appearance for one second. We're no more laid back than the East Coast, but we're certainly more passive-aggressive in displaying our discrimination's and intolerance. As Stomeman alluded to- there's a difference between someone wearing jeans and a tee from Old Navy versus from Nordstroms and people are still being judged for it. I think that the business informal attire is a bit more forgiving when one is being judged on how presentable they are- as long as a suit fits a person than they are deemed good. There are exceptions, such as in finance, where informal attire is judged on a more nuanced level, but in Colorado this wouldn't apply as much.

In Colorado I also think that people tend to be far more judgmental of how one looks physically than in place such as the East Coast. The fat guy in jeans and a t-shirt is going to judged more harshly here than a fat guy in a suit and tie in New York.

Originally Posted by Mulligan

Are we really having a fashion discussion?

You have no idea what it's like to have no tie Friday with an H+M shirt, pants I got from TJ MAXX, and shoes from Payless.

[Stonemans_rowJ]

This is mostly information I have learned from my wife, but I believe Bloomingdale's is regarded to be the highest end department store. In order for it to work in a city, it would have to be a very affluent city that spends a large amount of money on expensive and designer clothing. That is why it would not work in Denver. I'll be surprised if the Suit Supply makes it in Cherry Creek.

Did you guys see this?

http://www.5280.com/news/digital/2015/05/denvers-rent-too-damn-high

Apparently the reason for the rents being so high is because no condos are being built.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by rds70

https://www.facebook.com/LegacyMechanical

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

1144 groundbreaking is happening soon. Stay tuned.

Oh Jeez, it takes a lot to get this body excited...
they better be using Gold Shovels; don't want no cheapo silver ones.

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

1144 groundbreaking is happening soon. Stay tuned.

Can confirm!!!

[PLANSIT]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

That's the other base design again (the one I like). Still curious which one is final.

I *believe* it's a bit of a hybrid of the two, but mostly aluminum/glass for the podium.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by RyanD

Can confirm!!!

Will this be a real ground-breaking or a Gaylord hotel ground-breaking?

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by wong21fr

Will this be a real ground-breaking or a Gaylord hotel ground-breaking?

You mean are the Four Seasons residents going to sue Hines and the City into oblivion just as soon as they see the sun glint off those golden shovels?

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by bunt_q

You mean are the Four Seasons residents going to sue Hines and the City into oblivion just as soon as they see the sun glint off those golden shovels?

I'm amazed the Four Seasons folks haven't gone up in arms about this project...

[DUPio]

Just drove by the Country Club Towers site... It seemed to be cleared with an awful lot of heavy equipment present, though my view was sub-par. No official groundbreaking?

[Stonemans_rowJ]

[seventwenty]

Run off debate highlights from the Denver Post.

I wish the article flushed out the agreements and disagreements more, but I can catch the rebroadcasted runoff forums here. You can also view the original buzzword heavy introductions here. And if you can't view the the rebroadcasted forums online, the debate rebroadcasts will be on Channel 8.

[RyanD]

IMG_8991 by Ryan Dravitz, on Flickr

[TakeFive]

Easy Like Sunday Morning...

I swear I can't keep up with half the stuff that's going on out there. Gratefully, Burl Rolett at BusinessDen fills in a few blanks.

www.apartmentlistings.com

RiNo developer to hand off 300-unit project - May 14, 2015 by Burl Rolett

A 2-year-old RiNo apartment building will soon have a new owner. Texas-based Cypress Real Estate Advisors has a contract to sell The Yards at Denargo Market. The building broke ground in 2011 as the first project at Cypress’ 30-acre Denargo Market development just off of Brighton Boulevard..

Some may recall the site's original master plan vision? That was before the Great Recession though. I can recall wondering if "phase two" was real? Someone's handy photo work assured me that it was. Called "The Crossing," you can see an updated construction photo HERE.


I knew it was out there somewhere... somewhere along the Boulevard.
Sure enough, 2785 Speer Blvd. is starting to cross the finish line. Nice updated photo HERE. Their web site is nice as well.

"Move-in day at $80M apartment project" - Burl Rolett March 6, 2015

The first residents are moving in at a gargantuan Highlands apartment project. The $80 million development is leasing out units at monthly rates of $1,635 for 660-square-foot one-bedrooms up to $3,000 for 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom apartments.

Construction is still underway on the first phase of the project that includes slightly more than 100 apartments. Another 210 apartments are scheduled to come on to the market in a second phase this summer, Heinz said.

www.yelp.com

Lastly, there is Highland Place at 3372 W. 38th Ave. which has micro apartments. Much better photo update HERE.

"In maxed-out market, mini living takes hold" - Burl Rolett February 11, 2015

“People want to live in an urban environment but can’t afford a one-bedroom or a studio, so they look at the micros,” said Darell Schmidt, a principal at Allante. “Any high-price market now is doing micros, and Denver is now considered a high-price market.”

Apartments in the building range from 378-square-foot micro studios to two-bedroom units at about 950 square feet. None of the one-bedroom units top 700 square feet, and studios range up to 540 square feet.

Rates are currently listed at $1,055 per month for the smallest studio and $2,240 for the biggest two-bedroom. That puts rent in the smallest studio just shy of $2.80 per square foot. Schmidt expects rental rates in the building to climb even higher over the next year.

It's crazy, man, and just to tie the week together, not only are rents crazy but I heard "Crazy" and other songs performed at DCPA back in my Country dance days. Between rents and that song there's no doubt that I'm fast becoming a relic.

[sphinx88844]

Getting sick of the Post's weekly NIMBY opinion pieces.... When do we get the one that applauds development?

[TakeFive]

At the end of the day, downtown Denver isn't just buildings; it's people interacting with buildings.
Let's take a look at one nice success story.

One project that existed as an idea, a promise for a long time was finally provided for through the Better Denver Bonds. The Mile High Vista project site was selected to get a long wanted library to serve west Denver. Chad Reischl has the Denver Infill Final Update for Mile High Vista.

1st photo courtesy of Confluence Denver; 2nd photo courtesy of www.gettyimages.com

Sarah Harvey on May 13, 2015 has the story (and photos) at Confluence Denver.
"New Gonzales Library a Hit for West Colfax"

The Gonzales branch has been hugely popular with the community since day one. For its grand opening the library had planned on an attendance of 1,000 to 1,200. More than 2,500 people showed up to celebrate the new branch.

"It makes us very proud to know that we hit the nail on the head with this one," says Chris Henning, marketing communications manager for the Denver Public Library system.

So far, the community's use of the Gonzales branch has exceeded expectations. Since opening in late February, the Gonzales branch has signed up more than 10,600 people for new library cards and averaged more than 3,600 visits per week.

Of course you can't have a Grand Opening without people and politics. Thanks to Joe Contreras with Latin Life Denver Media the event was well covered.

..........