DENVER | Main Development Thread #6

[denconyny]

Originally Posted by RyanD

I'm just going to leave this here. I have no comment at this time.
And no, those are not bricks.

Well, at least it fills up some surface parking lot.........

[DenverInfill]

Originally Posted by DownhomeDenver

Well looks like maybe just maybe this project is getting off the ground. Y'all remember this from way back when?



Well theres a fence up around the property now at 17th and Franklin.

Loopnet Ad

That project was at 17th and Lafayette. The LoopNet at you linked to says the project is "off market" and the website for the project is dead. I assume you meant a fence at 17th and Lafayette?

[DenverInfill]

I just discovered that the project changed hands in June 2014. It's now owned by 17th Avenue Development Group. Something may be in the works but nothing's been filed with the city yet to my knowledge.

[blm3034L!fe]

Originally Posted by RyanD

I'm just going to leave this here. I have no comment at this time.
And no, those are not bricks.

Shouldn't a cookie cutter 5/6 sorry building be over on the Westside or LoDo? What a waste of a prime lot.

[blm3034L!fe]

Double post.
Damn phone.

[RyanD]

But, we have to remind ourselves that there are some freaking awesome buildings going up as well!

Golden Triangle: Museum Center + The Art Hotel Update #4
via DenverInfill

[pablosan]

That aloft project does not belong there, not like that. Brick yes. The Art Hotel, on the other hand, nailed it. Fits the context of its surroundings.

[BG918]

I was recently in Oklahoma City and they have a new downtown Aloft that is 8 stories with a rooftop bar. Too bad something like that couldn't have gone up instead in this location. It's good to see the lots around there filled hopefully that trend continues since that area has so many visitors.

What is the exterior cladding for the upper portion of the Art Hotel, brick? What a difference it already makes along Broadway.

[DenverPoke]

Originally Posted by BG918

I was recently in Oklahoma City and they have a new downtown Aloft that is 8 stories with a rooftop bar. Too bad something like that couldn't have gone up instead in this location. It's good to see the lots around there filled hopefully that trend continues since that area has so many visitors.

What is the exterior cladding for the upper portion of the Art Hotel, brick? What a difference it already makes along Broadway.

The OKC Aloft is much, much better than this POS. Of course it is probably the most significant thing they've seen in OKC since Devon so they celebrate it like it's the Yas Viceroy. But alas it is this:


The proposed 33 story Aloft in Austin would've been nice here!

[DownhomeDenver]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

That project was at 17th and Lafayette. The LoopNet at you linked to says the project is "off market" and the website for the project is dead. I assume you meant a fence at 17th and Lafayette?

Yes, yes KennyG the fence at Lafayette and 17th. Sorry I did that entire post from my phone. Grrr!

It could be nothing. It could be a totally different project. Maybe, it's not anything exciting at all--could be just an interior renovation of the same old building that's there. Guess, time will tell. I do appreciate the spank tho.

[FunctionForm]

Originally Posted by RyanD

I'm just going to leave this here. I have no comment at this time.
And no, those are not bricks.

I'll say it. It's a scar on the face of Denver.

[DownhomeDenver]

Originally Posted by FunctionForm

I'll say it. It's a scar on the face of Denver.

Oh come on...a scar??? What was there before was a scar!! This is an improvement. We already knew by DenverInfill's coverage of this project it wasn't going to be architecturally stunning.

[denconyny]

Originally Posted by blm3034L!fe

What a waste of a prime lot.

Originally Posted by pablosan

That aloft project does not belong there...

Originally Posted by FunctionForm

I'll say it. It's a scar on the face of Denver.

I can't say that I can disagree with any one of these statements.

However, let's remember this is DENVER..... where even in the central business district, where we have all of our 25+ story buildings condensed together...... it still appears that half of the properties in the area are these ugly, asphalted surface parking lots. And these eyesore surface parking lots only increase as we get into areas such as Arapaho Square and Golden Triangle. These ugly, asphalted surface parking lot are far, far more of a waste, cry out much, much more that they don't belong, and without question do much more scarring to our DT area, as well as to our environment.

With that, from my POV, anything that eliminates a surface parking lot in the DT area is a blessing. With so many of these surface parking lots still present, it would be welcoming even if the gaudiest of single or double story suburban type structures were to cover these. Or if not, even natural vegetation on these lots would do wonders.... but then of course, the owners of these lots would lose their income from being able to collect from cars that would be parked on them if grass were planted, or left to natural vegetation.

Of course, the biggest offender has to be Rockies Field in terms of parking lots. Is this in the Guinness Book of Records for the World's longest parking lot stretching from 22nd Street all the way to 33rd Street? What city planning official gave the go-ahead for that? Hopefully, one day a multi-level parking facility can be built to accommodate the game/event day traffic, and the rest of the parking lot can be either developed or turned into a park with lots of grass and vegetation on it.... definable better for our environment than asphalt. Of give discounts on tickets for games/events to all of those who use our mass transit, and leave their cars parked at any further out Park-N-Ride.

Anyways...... as progressive as we can be and have foresight to solve so many concerns here..... the status quo just seems to continue to linger in too many ways.......

[CharlesCO]

Wake me up when they start talking about building a W in Denver again...

[RyanD]

I don't think the majority of us are complaining about the scale of the project. I'm fine with it for that corner and location. It's the aesthetics and materials used that cross the line. If the aLoft out by DIA looks better than this, than surely Downtown Denver deserves something equal or better.

But, what matters most is the pedestrian experience, so we'll see how that turns out.

[DownhomeDenver]

Originally Posted by RyanD

I don't think the majority of us are complaining about the scale of the project. I'm fine with it for that corner and location. It's the aesthetics and materials used that cross the line. If the aLoft out by DIA looks better than this, than surely Downtown Denver deserves something equal or better.

But, what matters most is the pedestrian experience, so we'll see how that turns out.

Is it actually finished? It doesnt look like it to me. But, I cannot disagree with you Ryan. You're right, the materials are crappy and the aesthetics are mediocre. A scar? Yeh...not so much to me. An ugly one story Burger King was more of a scar to me than this.

There's definitely hope for our skyline and for our architectural well being. Projects such as Art Hotel and even 1144 15th St (albeit it's a copy of a building somewhere in Canada) are perfect examples of this.

[DownhomeDenver]

I dedicate todays post to buntie_q cuz he loves pot and high priced apartments:

Vice: Pot boom pushing out Denver locals

Link goes to online Vice News.

[RyanD]

Originally Posted by DownhomeDenver

Is it actually finished? It doesnt look like it to me. But, I cannot disagree with you Ryan. You're right, the materials are crappy and the aesthetics are mediocre. A scar? Yeh...not so much to me. An ugly one story Burger King was more of a scar to me than this.

There's definitely hope for our skyline and for our architectural well being. Projects such as Art Hotel and even 1144 15th St (albeit it's a copy of a building somewhere in Canada) are perfect examples of this.

I'm pretty sure the facade is complete. If you go up to it in person, you can see that it's stucco/efis all around. But, we'll see. I'm very cautiously optimistic that this is going to look much better.

[TakeFive]

Originally Posted by DownhomeDenver

I dedicate todays post to buntie_q cuz he loves pot and high priced apartments:

Vice: Pot boom pushing out Denver locals

Link goes to online Vice News.

By quirk of unusual fate I happen to find that article over the weekend. It's an interesting, enjoyable read. It fails to acknowledge the general downtown positive changes as also a key component (in displacement) but aside from that it was very good. I found it fascinating actually.

Twas a potty weekend as DBJ also had a pot visitor enticing piece HERE. What I really enjoyed was the Des Moines Register piece that was referenced.

All for now from the potty side of the street.

[bcp]

^ yet the article seems to point out that the people being "pushed out" are selling for BIG profits, voluntarily...could have been a much different article.