Learn more about NAIOP Colorado member and sponsor company's past and ongoing projects transforming the metro Denver skyline.
Made possible by our NAIOP Construction Corner Sponsor, The Weitz Company, LLC.

WEITZ TAKES PRIDE IN BEING THE BUILDER ON TWO NAIOP AWARD PROJECTS

Submitted June 2023, Posted August 2023

Weitz has been ‘Building a Better Way’ since 1855, and in the Rocky Mountains for more than 70 years, since 1952. We attribute our success to our client-focused business practices, and elevated standards of quality and safety. We are proud to have been the contractor partner of two NAIOP Awards of Achievement- Development of the Year Awards.

“Vectra Bank Corporate Center” won the Office Development of the Year

This 41,490-square-foot, transit orientated mixed-use project is located at 7222 E. Layton Ave. in Denver, just steps from the light-rail platform at Belleview Station. Vectra Bank partnered with Confluent Development as their build-to-suit development partner for their new headquarters, along with open studio architecture.

The Class A office development project entails a new nine-story, mixed-use office building of approximately 129,800 gross square feet (GSF) which includes; retail at the ground level, four levels of parking structure above the retail, and office use for the top floors (6-9 floors). The proposed conceptual design yields approximately 120,900 GSF of office and 5,200 GSF of retail.

      
^{Vectra Bank Corporate Headquarters, images courtesy of Weitz}   

“Citizen West 10”, won Multi-Family Development of the Year

The 17-story, 393 Unit project is located in Denver’s Golden Triangle Neighborhood. The entire structure is comprised of Post-tensioned cast in place concrete. Exterior skin combines a mix of masonry, to blend the building with the neighborhoods historic aesthetic, but adds in a mix metal panels and stucco to bring a newer and modernized appeal. The first five floors of the project will house parking for the building’s tenants, with Townhouses and units on the Acoma and 10th Street sides. A pet lounge that expands to the outdoor dog run with operating overhead doors is located on the buildings south side. Bike storage and a repair shop is provided to tenants that prefer an alternative commute to their downtown offices.

    
^{Citizen West 10, images courtesy of Weitz}   

Also included on the ground floor is two retail spaces, designed to house a restaurant anchor and coffee shop. Above the garage, the podium deck on level 6 will provide the communities amenities including game lounges, a 2-story gym equipped with a climbing wall, outdoor activities, and spa lounge. The pool is on the 18th floor, and is the highest elevated pool in the state, which required heavy detailing and engineering. Quarterra, formerly known as Lennar, developed and manages the property, and Shears Atkins Rockmore (SAR+) providing the planning and design.

Weitz is proud to have been the selected partner for these two projects, along with “Building a Better Way” for years to come in the Rocky Mountain region.

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Revesco Properties, Alpine Investments, Pinkard Construction, and OZ Architecture Break Ground on Residential Highrise in Denver’s Golden Triangle

Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

Denver, Colo. — Revesco Properties/Alpine Investments (RPAI), Pinkard Construction, and OZ Architecture celebrated the groundbreaking for a 12-story, multifamily project, akin Golden Triangle, on March 14th. Construction commenced in early February and is expected to continue into Q4 of 2024. The luxury-boutique building will contain 98 units of multifamily and amenities.

“The Revesco and Alpine teams, along with our design and construction partners, have worked diligently over the past year and a half to get this project entitled and financed in a challenging environment, "said Churchill Bunn, Managing Partner of Alpine Investments. “We are excited to see akin Golden Triangle go vertical in the coming months and look forward to delivering a first-class project to one of Denver’s most exciting urban neighborhoods.”

    
^{Photos of akin Golden Triangle, courtesy of Alpine Investments}

Positioned along Bannock Street, akin Golden Triangle is one of four of RPAI’s upcoming projects that will operate under the umbrella of one brand known as “akin”. RPAI is developing the brand to appeal to a sophisticated, discerning, urban-minded resident, while elevating each local neighborhood by creating an elegant and timeless living experience. While exterior and interior aesthetics and amenities will vary per location, each will draw upon the same brand foundation: a distinctly urban recipe of design, wellness, culture, service, and connection to the neighborhood. Continue Reading. 

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Confluent Senior Living and MorningStar Senior Living Celebrate Grand Opening of Observatory Park Community in Denver 

Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

DENVER — Project partners Confluent Senior Living and MorningStar Senior Living have completed MorningStar at Observatory Park, one of the newest senior living communities designed to establish a unique “Whole Health Standard” in the industry. 

Located in Denver’s historic Observatory Park neighborhood at 2100 South Josephine Street, the 89,900-square-foot senior living community represents the development partners’ 13th joint venture across five states.

To celebrate the grand opening, the project partners will host an inaugural reception at the property on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 4pm-6pm MST.

“When this project broke ground in early 2021, many senior living projects had recently ground to a halt as credit tightened and investors expressed concern about viability. Today, as the industry experiences uncertainty in delivery, the successful completion of MorningStar at Observatory Park underscores the quality of the community, our collective team’s strong, proven track record, and commitment to collaboration and mutual trust,” said Matt Derrick, now managing director at Confluent Senior Living. 

The five-story, urban infill community offers 58 assisted living and 23 memory care suites as well as 47 underground parking spaces. The entire property was developed under the “Whole Health Standard,” the partnership’s comprehensive, holistic approach to the latest in healthy building technologies while enhancing resident physical and mental wellness, safety, comfort and quality of life. Continue Reading.

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 GE Johnson Takes Flight at  Hotel and Event Center at U.S. Air Force Academy's North Gate

Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023

When driving south off the North Gate Boulevard exit on I-25 in Colorado Springs, you see a towering red crane. This is the site of the future four diamond standard hotel and event center being constructed by GE Johnson just outside the gates of the United States Air Force Academy. The nine-story building will rank second in Colorado Springs for number of rooms and square feet of meeting space. With 375 rooms and 26,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, this design-build project is essentially two builds happening simultaneously.

The conference center and upper event lawn and amenity deck, built with composite steel frames on the west side of the building, is a three-story podium structure. Here, conferences will take place with floor to ceiling windows where the mountains surround the space, showcasing the true beauty of Colorado. The top level of this structure will feature an event lawn for weddings and other events as well as a pool, bar, and restaurant and plenty of places to take in the breathtaking mountainous backdrop.

The hotel space, consisting of a six-story tower, is being constructed using load bearing metal stud (LBMS) walls by Infinity Structures. The 600 lineal feet by 30-foot-high panels are prefabricated and brought on site, followed by the concrete decking. This process adds a new level to the structure every few weeks.

GE Johnson is making great use of prefabrication to assist in keeping the project on schedule. In addition to the LBMS wall panels, bathroom pods are incorporated into the hotel rooms. Prior to construction, GE Johnson built two full model hotel rooms to scale. One room was built with a traditional build and the other with the Surepod bathroom pods incorporated. The Surepods were selected as the preferred building delivery method and are currently being delivered and installed.
The prefabrication elements have not only been useful for saving time, but also for preserving the safety of the crews. The first vertical structure placed above the lowest slab was the RediCor stair core. These factory-built modular units are brought in and stacked on top of one another. Inside these steel form cores are the stairs where concrete is poured, providing crews with the main access to the top of the structure for the duration of the project. This is the first use of the RediCor system in Colorado Springs.

A unique recreational element of the space is the two flight simulators, providing guests with a real-life pilot experience. The hotel promises an unforgettable stay and amenities abound with fitness and spa facilities, the pool and event lawn, and six kitchen/food and beverage spaces throughout. The project is expected to be complete in fall of 2024.

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HDA Denver Office Flourishes with New Projects, Substantial Growth

Submitted May 2023, Posted August 2023 

DENVER, CO (May 15, 2023) – In alignment with continued growth and expansion of the firm, HDA Architects’ Denver office has added several new projects to its roster in just under nine months. Spearheaded by industry veteran and Principal Angela Feddersen, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, projects range from large multi-family developments to exciting new retail establishments.

Highlighting the project roster for HDA Denver is the 90,000 SF multi-family development that will include 47 market rate townhomes in Evergreen, CO. The project is nearing completion of construction documentation and is estimated to be $23M.

Recently added projects include the 5,600 SF expansion and renovation of Fjällräven in downtown Boulder, CO, which is located within the iconic Pearl Street Mall. As the product demand from this flagship brand center continues to skyrocket, an upgraded, larger store for the outdoor clothing equipment company was needed. 

Three new restaurants for The ONE Group are also currently in various design phases, including two Kona Grill restaurants in Henderson, NV, and Tigard, OR, and a restaurant debuting under their new brand concept called Saltwater Social in Denver, CO. The design of all three new locations reflects The One Group’s upscale and polished casual, high-energy atmosphere and will bolster their position as the global leader in “Vibe Dining.” 

In addition, HDA’s Denver team has already completed its first project, a MAX Boutique high-end women’s fashion shop. Located in Cherry Creek North, this 2,000 SF interior tenant improvement for the “Style Leader” as named by Harper’s Bazaar showcases its unique assortment of top women’s designer and contemporary collections.

“The quick success of our Denver office is truly exhilarating,” said Angela Feddersen, Principal, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C. “Expanding the HDA brand in the region not only allows for additional opportunities but helps us to better serve our clients throughout the U.S. We have some fantastic clients that are shaping the Denver market and beyond, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside them.” Continue Reading.

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JR Engineering Celebrates 50 Years of Pioneering Engineering Solutions

Submitted May 2023, Published August 2023

Centennial, CO – JR Engineering, a leading Colorado engineering and surveying firm, celebrates its 50^th anniversary in 2023. Five decades of providing innovative solutions to its clients began with the firm’s founding in 1973 by Jim Fraker and Roger Guertner. Working with two other staff members, they focused on providing high-quality, cost-effective services to what even then was a fast-growing Colorado.

Today, JR Engineering’s four locations, in Centennial, Fort. Collins, Colorado Springs, and Genesee employ more than 85 engineers, designers, surveyors, planners, and administrative personnel. More than a quarter have been with the firm more than 20 years.

JR is led by Aaron Clutter, president, Kurtis Williams, VP and director of business development, and Ellen Orlowski, director of operations and finance. Aaron and Kurtis have been with JR Engineering 28 years and joined the firm within a month of one other. Daniel Clark, a twelve-year JR employee and group lead for JR’s Land Development Group in the Genesee, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs locations, recently accepted an invitation to join Aaron and Kurtis as the firm’s fourth and newest principal.

Clutter, on this milestone stated, "We are incredibly proud of our legacy and the opportunities we have had to contribute to Colorado’s growth. Our success reflects our team’s hard work, dedication, and expertise and our commitment to delivering outstanding results to our clients."

Since 1973 JR Engineering has established a reputation for excellence and has played important roles in hundreds of projects for an extensive, diverse client list. Continue Reading.

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New Apartment Hotel Developed by Revesco Properties Opens in LoHi

Submitted May 2023, Published August 2023

DENALI LOGISTICS PARK BREAKS GROUND IN DENVER’S GROWING AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL SUBMARKET

Posted on March 23, 2023

Hines, a global real estate investment, development, and property manager, in partnership with L.C. Fulenwider, Inc., ("Fulenwider"), announces the start of construction for the first phase of Denali Logistics Park, a Class A industrial and logistics park in Aurora, Colorado. Denali Logistics Park sits on 57 acres within Fulenwider’s larger Box Elder mixed-use development and will deliver over 760,000 square feet of industrial and logistics space across three speculative buildings. Leasing for the project will be managed by Mitch Zatz, Carmon Hicks and Jason White of JLL. The buildings are currently available for lease with an expected delivery of fall 2023.

“Denali Logistics Park is the new marquee of Denver’s industrial scene, allowing occupiers to achieve and exceed their future supply chain and logistics goals,” said Courtney Schneider, director at Hines. “Each site offers a variety of sizes, allowing for flexibility to fit the needs of any occupier. The development is a significant addition to Hines’ growing industrial and logistics portfolio.” 

Located east of E-470 between East 64th Avenue and East 68th Avenue in Denver’s growing Airport submarket, Denali Logistics Park provides direct unparalleled access to the Denver Metro and all its major interstates. Phase 1 of the speculative development consists
of three buildings varying in size:

· Building 1: 352,600 square feet, 370 feet deep, 40-foot clear height. Cross Dock.
· Building 2: 205,800 square feet, 210 feet deep, 32-foot clear height. Rear Load.
· Building 3: 201,200 square feet, 230 feet deep, 32-foot clear height. Rear Load.

The site also includes abundant trailer parking and auto parking, separated truck courts with the ability to fully secure, and unmatched site amenities including a fenced basketball court and outdoor seating.

“Denali is strategically situated right in the heart of Denver’s hottest big box distribution and manufacturing submarket,” said Jason White, Executive Vice President of JLL. “With some of the world’s most recognizable brand names selecting this area for their state-of-the- art
production and logistics facilities, this location has defined itself as the new place to be.” Denali Logistics Park is zoned “Airport District” and allows for warehouse distribution, light manufacturing, high-tech industrial, and e-commerce fulfillment center uses, among other permitted uses.

Denali Logistics Park is designed by Ware Malcomb’s Denver office and is being constructed by Arch-Con ® Corporation.

For leasing information, contact Jason White at [email protected].

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Venture Architecture Leading Design for Crocs’ Headquarters for the Second Time
Submitted by Connor Haney, Venture Architecture
Posted on November 28, 2022

Venture Architecture, a Denver-based firm specializing in client-centric design, announced today that the firm is serving as the architect of record to design Crocs’ next headquarters. Crocs will be moving just two miles south from its current headquarters at 13601 Via Varra in Broomfield, Colorado to 500 Eldorado Blvd, a decision driven by the company’s rapid growth over the last 19 months.  

Located within Oracle’s Broomfield campus, the 190,000-square-foot space will transform an existing building into Crocs’ “Home for Work.”  Plans for the new space will more than double Crocs’ current footprint to accommodate the company’s 450+ new team members. Renovations will emphasize the company’s culture of collaboration and openness, reflecting Crocs’ values of democracy, comfort, and simplicity.  

The design inspiration seeks to maximize opportunities for the Crocs team to collaborate, gather, and team build in the social hubs of the building, including the lounge, huddle spaces, and coffee counters. These features come together to compose a natural flow throughout the space that connects teams across departments, aligning with Crocs’ spirit of partnership. 

“Venture Architecture is proud to be partnering with Crocs on their second headquarters project,” said Martin Goldstein, principal at Venture Architecture, “Like Crocs’ approach to the design of their footwear, our goal for the space is bring comfort and approachability to the team’s workspace, reflective of their ‘come as you are’ culture.” 

The windows and three-story atrium ensure that every employee has equal access to daylight, an essential component for creating openness and comfort in the space. This prioritization of simplicity and comfort in the new headquarters realizes Crocs’ “come as you are” culture. 

Renovations began early last summer and are expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.

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First Industrial Acquires 17 Acres in Denver, CO for Development of New 199,500 SF Class A Industrial Facility

Submitted by Joshua Deale, Cushman & Wakefield
Posted on September 22, 2022

Cushman & Wakefield announced that First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. has purchased a 17-acredevelopment site in Commerce City (Denver), Colorado. First Industrial plans to construct a brand new 199,500-square-foot Class A state-of-the-art industrial warehouse/distribution facility to be known as First 76 Logistics Center. The project is strategically located at 8000 E 96th Ave immediately off Interstate 76 in Denver’s highly active I-76 submarket.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Drew McManus, SIOR, Ryan Searle and Bryan Fry were retained by First Industrial to perform leasing for the new development, working with John Strabel, First Industrial’s senior regional director and market leader for Denver. The Cushman & Wakefield team also represented the seller in the land sale.  

First 76 Logistics Center is aiming to break ground in early 2022, with an estimated completion in mid-2023. 

“First 76 Logistics Center will be an exceptional addition to Denver’s sought-after I-76 corridor submarket while fulfilling the modern needs of today’s industrial, logistics and distribution users,” said Ryan Searle. “This site presented a great and unique opportunity to develop an infill site with tremendous regional access.”

Drew McManus, SIOR, Executive Director added, “The property provides excellent transportation access for businesses looking for convenient and efficient distribution channels, as well as access to a large pool of highly skilled labor from Commerce City, Aurora, Denver, and the surrounding areas.”

First 76 Logistics Center offers heavy industrial zoning, ample trailer parking or outside storage, and easy access to I-76. The new facility will feature 150-feet truck court, 286 auto stalls and 45 trailer stalls, 32-feet clear height, 62 dock-high doors and 2 drive-in ramps, ESFR sprinklers, and LED lighting. 

Located just 0.3 miles from I-76 and with no traffic signals, First 76 Logistics Center will be built on one of the most accessible sites in Commerce City. The property is also close to I-25, E-470 and I-70 and proximate to the Denver International Airport and Downtown Denver. 

“First Industrial is pleased to add this well-located development site which positions us to meet additional tenant demand and grow our regional portfolio,” said John Strabel. “Denver’s I-76 corridor has been

To view the First 76 Project Progress video, visit https://vimeo.com/750458666. 

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Lincoln Crossing

Submitted by Carson Wyatt, Lincoln Property Company
Posted on September 28, 2022

Built in the 1970s and ’80s, Lincoln Crossing is an iconic two-tower office property located at the crossroads of Denver’s Central Business District and the vibrant Uptown neighborhood. Developed by Lincoln Property Company, Lincoln Crossing has been transformed to align with today’s creative and innovative workforce to provide an environment that encourages a sense of community and empowers employees to collaborate. Renovations completed include street-level exterior facade refresh, a collaborative area with bleacher stairs, outdoor patio, lobby elevators, fitness center, multipurpose room, bike box, and new spec suites.

Lincoln Crossing will offer a diverse selection of dynamic office spaces ranging from 1,200 SF to over 100,000 SF. The space includes full-height windows that will maximize downtown views and offer an abundance of natural light creating a setting that enables high-performance work. 

Located right next door to Denver’s established Central Business District and Uptown, one of Denver’s most walkable neighborhoods. Just one block from Restaurant Row, the stretch of 17th Avenue from Broadway to City Park that boasts some of the best eating and drinking establishments in the city – almost all of which feature an outdoor patio.

For more details about Lincoln Crossing, please visit: https://lincolncrossingtowers.com/.

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GRANITE PROPERTIES NAMED NAIOP 2022 DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR

Prepared by NAIOP Corporate 
Posted on August 1, 2022

Dallas-based developer, Granite Properties, was selected as the NAIOP 2022 Developer of the Year - the association's highest honor. The award will be presented during NAIOP’s CRE.Converge conference in Chicago this October.

“On behalf of everyone at Granite, I want to thank NAIOP for this great honor of naming us the 2022 Developer of the Year,” said Michael Dardick, Founding Partner & CEO, Granite Properties. “Granite supports companies and their employees with high quality, sustainable and wellness-focused office and mixed-use environments in desired locations. Putting people first is instilled in everything we do. It’s why we’re always focused on enhancing the customer experience and making a positive impact on our communities. I’m proud of our team’s innovative spirit and ability to adapt to the many changes our industry has experienced over the 30 years we’ve been in business. This recognition is a reflection of their talent, and I thank them for their hard work positioning Granite for long-term success.”

Granite Properties is a privately held commercial real estate investment, development and management company that owns 11 million square feet of high-quality office space valued at $3 billion in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Southern California, Boston and Nashville. The company has completed more than $8 billion in real estate transactions and more than 29 million square feet of real estate development and acquisitions. It focuses on creating extraordinary customer experiences through mixed-use environments, rich amenities, customer-centric service, and innovative wellness features.

The company's size, operational experience, partnerships and breadth of resources allow it to make appropriate adjustments to short-term and long-term objectives with flexibility and speed-to-execution in response to economic changes and opportunities. The company cites adaptability and flexibility as core characteristics that are leveraged throughout the lifespan and growth of the 30-year-old company.

Granite’s advancement of technology and building wellness includes a partnership with Fifth Wall that keeps the company on the forefront of technology, benefiting customers and their businesses; evolve®, an innovative Granite trademarked program of flexible office leasing solutions; and development guidelines that meet and exceed certification requirements for both Fitwel and U.S. Green Building Council LEED.

Across the U.S., Granite is known for its social, philanthropic and employee-focused efforts. Since 2009, the company’s charitable impact surpassed $3 million. It has been named one of Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces nine consecutive times, and is committed to fostering diverse and inclusive teams across the company.

“On behalf of NAIOP, I am thrilled to recognize the fantastic achievements of Granite Properties and honor them as our 2022 Developer of the Year. The company’s strong commitment to developing and operating exemplary properties across the U.S. is inspiring,” said Thomas J. Bisacquino, NAIOP president and CEO. “Throughout the company’s history, it has successfully navigated challenges and downturns, always emerging stronger. Granite’s company culture and mission of inspiring both its employees and tenants to flourish has made it a leader in the commercial real estate industry.”

Granite employees are active NAIOP members across several association chapters, including NAIOP Colorado, NAIOP Georgia, NAIOP Houston, NAIOP North Texas and NAIOP SoCal.

Since 1979, the NAIOP Developer of the Year award has been presented to a development company that best exemplifies leadership and innovation. Granite Properties was selected from an impressive slate of nominees and was evaluated by a team of seasoned developers on the following criteria: outstanding quality of projects and services; active support of the industry through NAIOP; financial consistency and stability; ability to adapt to market conditions; and support of the local community.

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ST. JOHN PROPERTIES PLANS 600K SF SIMMS TECHNOLOGY PARK IN BROOMFIELD

Submitted by St. John Properties
Posted on August 1, 2022

The Broomfield City Council recently granted approval to St. John Properties, Inc. to initiate development activities on Simms Technology Park, a nearly 81-acre mixed-use business community in Broomfield that, upon completion, is expected to support nearly 600,000 square feet of single-story, multi-story and flex/R&D space, in addition to complementary retail amenities. The full-service commercial real estate development and management firm owns and has developed more than one million square feet of space in Colorado since 1987 and intends to invest $95 million in this project situated approximately 20 miles northwest of the Denver metropolitan area. Grading and infrastructure activities are expected to commence this summer, followed by the initiation of Phase I development activities.

Acquired from Brocade Communications Systems, LLC two years ago, Phase I of the business community located at the intersection of N. Simms Street and W. 112th Avenue in Broomfield County will be comprised of three single-story office buildings comprising approximately 100,000 square feet of space and two flex/R&D buildings containing nearly 70,000 square feet of space. St. John Properties is also marketing the sale or ground lease of four pad sites ranging from 1.3 acres to 2.4 acres that can support numerous uses including restaurants, convenient stores/gas stations, and fast food. The final development plan is expected to consist of 14 buildings with all designed for LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. St. John Properties plans to initially break ground on the single-story office and flex/R&D buildings with delivery of the first product expected to occur in summer of 2023 before proceeding to subsequent phases.

“This strategically-located acreage provides the opportunity to execute our long-term development strategy in a submarket of Colorado that contains every essential metric for sustained growth and economic vitality,” explained Brandon Jenkins, St. John Properties’ Regional Partner for Colorado. “We appreciate the support of the Broomfield City Council to greenlight a business community that will be a long-term job generator, a home to businesses both small and large and a significant contributor to the local tax base. Simms Technology Park will contribute significantly to the economic health of the region with construction jobs, the creation of jobs within the business community and both business and consumer spending with existing businesses in the region.”

As part of the development agreement, St. John Properties has pledged to complete significant upgrades to W. 112th Avenue including the addition of sidewalks, lighting, supplemental landscaping, both left hand and right-hand turning lanes and the expansion of the road by one additional lane. Two new public roads will be constructed as part of Phase 1 of the development. The new roads (Doppler Drive and Brocade Parkway) bisect the site. Brocade Parkway will be renamed to Quantum Parkway as part of the Phase 1 development plan.

“St. John Properties is differentiated from our peers by our philosophy of remaining ahead of the development curve and speculatively building commercial real estate product that anticipates the future needs of our clients,” Jenkins added. “This site provides immediate access to the Boulder and Denver markets along the U.S. 36 northwest “creative corridor” of the Denver metropolitan area. In addition, our on-going research shows the continuing trend among end-users of commercial office space in all product categories interested in migrating to Denver’s northwest suburbs for expansion and relocation.”

St. John Properties has developed and presently manages nearly one million square feet of commercial real estate assets in the Colorado region including Corporate Center, a fourteen-building 600,000 square foot business community in Golden; Sixth Avenue Place, a 145,000 square foot project in Golden; and Walnut Creek Business Park, which contains more than 200,000 square feet of space in the city of Westminster.

According to data from the Broomfield Economic Vitality Division, Broomfield County is the third-fastest growing county in Colorado with a population that has nearly doubled over the past 20 years. Approximately two-thirds of new residents have relocated from within the state. The median age of all residents is 36.7 with a median household income approaching $109,000. Major employers include CenturyLink, Oracle America, SCL Health Care, Ball Corporation and Vail Resorts. A number of companies engaged in high technology and research and development have relocated to the region in recent years.

Nearly six million people reside in Colorado, including nearly two million households, with a median age of 36.4 and population expanded at twice the national rate between 2010 and 2020 with a nearly 15% growth. Additionally, the populations of Broomfield and Weld Counties grew by 30%. According to figures released in March, the statewide unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent from 4 percent the previous month.

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 51-year history, the company has developed more than 22 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, warehouse space and has investments in over 2,600 apartments. The company proudly serves more than 2,500 clients in Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.

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The Current, River North, Class-A Office Building

It’s a tall order to promise building tenants a well-designed project that promotes tenant health, wellbeing, and productivity. Especially one that is innovative to be a culture-ready workspace with significant input from local entrepreneurs, CEOs, HR leaders, and talent and one forward-thinking enough to offer a leading-edge view on the world via state-of-the-art “smart” windows. 

Such a vibrant environment is emerging in the form of the Class-A 238,000-square-foot The Current, River North (The Current), a joint venture partnership between Schnitzer West, LLC, one of the West Coast’s leading real estate investment, development and property management companies, and Craft Companies, LLC, a Denver-based, multi-directional real estate firm. The 12-story Class-A office building is located at 3615 Delgany St., in Denver's vibrant and sought-after River North Art District (RiNo).

The Current’s “ecosystem of innovation” design ethos is a strong fit for Denver’s RiNo neighborhood. It offers multiple state-of-the-art amenities, including smart windows from View, Inc. View Smart Windows employ artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically evaluate and adjust window tint to optimize natural light and tenants’ unique vista of the outdoors, all while helping regulate temperature and glare. 

The benefits of natural light in workplace productivity are becoming more widely known. One study discovered that employees working next to View Smart Windows – while dramatically adding to the building’s light-filled and sleek aesthetic – “experienced half as many headaches, slept 37 minutes longer each night and improved their cognitive function by 42 percent.” 

This is the second private office development in the state of Colorado to utilize View Smart Windows. The first and only other project in the state to implement the View Smart windows was Schnitzer West’s mixed-use, elegant, tiered development, Civica Cherry Creek, situated in the desirable Cherry Creek neighborhood.

"At Schnitzer West, we recognize that intelligent design and world-class amenities are not only aesthetically important but also why tenants choose our buildings over those of our competitors. Tenant’s ability to attract and retain talent is a significant contributing factor to their success,” said Kyle Flippen, development manager for the Denver market at Schnitzer West. 

Schnitzer West and Craft Companies purchased the RiNo site in March 2019 and began construction of The Current in April 2021. Designed by Davis Partnership Architects, the site includes eight floors of office space, two levels of underground parking, and four levels of above-grade podium parking with car charging stations and secure bike storage. The Davis Partnership design includes extensive use of architectural glass, which frames the top two floors of the building. These levels offer private amenities for tenants, including Schnitzer West's signature "great room," working and leisure space, and a rooftop terrace so that tenants can enjoy views of downtown and the Front Range mountains.

The Current will offer a vibrant environment for an engaged workforce, with its proximity to multi-family housing, upscale hotels and retail space, and public transportation, including the RTD A-Line station, offering increased flexibility for commuters and business travelers to and from Denver International Airport.

“We take great pride in contributing to the further development of RiNo and Denver's continued success and economic growth," said Lucas Schornstein, senior investment manager for Schnitzer West. "There is a growing demand from tenants for increased availability of high-quality, state-of-the-art, forward-thinking Class-A office space in this culturally vibrant hub. The Current will help attract, retain and empower major talent in this region.”

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Featuring 6900 Layton, NAIOP's 2021 Office Development of the Year

Posted on September 6, 2021
By Shawn Donohoe, Senior Business Development Manager, The Weitz Company, LLC

When 6900 Layton broke ground in the dynamic Belleview Station development back in 2018, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock was quoted to say, “Belleview Station is well on its way to redefining how people can work, shop, dine and live all in one place – making it a signature asset for economic development and underscoring Denver’s position as a leading city for business success. We’re proud to celebrate the latest premier office space to take shape at one of Denver’s many transit-oriented development sites.”

Completed in September 2020, this sleek 385,000-square-foot Class AA Design Build and it’s custom, glass curtain certainly live up to expectations. Named Office Development of the year during the NAIOP Colorado “Best of the Best” in 2020. The project is located just 200 feet from the light-rail platform and the building rises 15 stories, bringing a stunning beauty to the office park by reflecting the skies of Denver and providing spectacular views for those inside the building.

The project was a design-build partnership between Prime West as the developer, Weitz as the General Contractor, and Gensler’s Denver studio. Throughout thechallenges of the pandemic, the team remained focused on safety and integrity. As Jim Neenan, president and CEO of Prime West said in the Colorado Real Estate Journal in August 2020, “Together as a team, we have pushed expectations on innovation and schedule. The result will be an elegant, progressive, mixed-use office asset further animating what is becoming a dynamic node on the southeast light-rail line.”

Bruce Porter, Executive Vice President and General Manager of The Weitz Company Rocky Mountain Business Unit, also believes the working relationships were key to the success of the project, saying “6900 Layton was a special project. I was continuously impressed by the attention to detail and the commitment from each of our team members, the design-build team, and our trade partners to maintain great working relationships across the project. Our Weitz office is located near 6900 Layton, and our team feels a great sense of accomplishment when we drive by the project each day.”

Structurally, the building is a hybrid, with the building frame accommodating garage parking (1,250 parking spaces) on the first five levels. A central cast-in-place concrete core is surrounded by a precast podium coming out of the ground for five stories, capped by a structural steel tower rising to the full height. On level one, 15,000 square feet of retail is joined by a large tenant-accessible fitness center and bike storage to encourage alternatives to auto-centric transportation.

Another unique feature is the integration of two completely independent mechanical systems. A primary central plant, located on the roof, serves floors 7 through 15, while a water source heat pump system is used on the lower six floors. The dual-process solution affords overall savings in both first costs and long-term operations.

6900 Layton was named the NAIOP Colorado Office Development of the Year in 2021.  The project also achieved LEED Gold and was a 2020 Regional Award Winner of “Excellence in Subcontracting” from the Design-Build Institute of America, Rocky Mountain Region.

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