High-end condos are certainly part of the solution to bringing diversity to downtown's real estate market. My point is that they can't be — they shouldn't be — the norm, lest they ($600-$1000 sq foot) become the model for future development. That is incredibly problematic if we are to assume that downtown Denver's residents should be made up of Coloradans. If you don't agree with that assumption and would be content with New Yorkers, Europeans, and high wealth individuals owning downtown, then our disagreement is fundamental.

With all due respect, your argument about Eddie Murphy et al doesn't make sense. You seem to suggest that if 1401 or Four Seasons weren't built, movie stars and high wealth individuals would have no place to stay, as though Denver has no other option beyond sending them to Aspen. Building a Four Seasons *hotel* is one thing; it's an option for Eddie Murphy as he bops in and out of town for a movie. Building a downtown community that prices out middle/upper middle class folks in defiance of the CPV/Downtown development plan (eg – the ultimate aim of the mass transit systems) is foolish.

The City and County of Denver have addressed this issue in a limited fashion thus far. For instance, the developers for the Palace Lofts were required to include a mix of studio and one bedroom condos for working class Coloradans. (The Westword has a good article on this) They also dictated that the units couldn't appreciate more than 4% a year, ensuring that the owner got a respectable return while future buyers of modest means weren't priced out of the market. These "modest means" buyers in the Palace Lofts included a fireman and a teacher. I think this is a sensible approach… to mix in "market controlled" units with "free market" units. Many other cities around the nation — and world — adopt these "mixed income" requirements to ensure a diverse citizenry in critical city neighborhoods.

Upshot: Denver's downtown development should not be dependent upon attracting ultra high wealth folks. Colorado taxpayers are plunking down considerable cash to build mass transit infrastructure (eg – light rail, buses, etc.) to facilitate the movement of Denver/Front Range residents, not Eddie Murphy when he flies in for a two week shoot. I don't mind an occasional high end development, but $8,500 monthly mortgage/HOA/tax payment does NOT define the pocketbooks of the vast majority of Coloradans. (FYI – The $8,500 figure is on a $1M unit. Most units at 1401 and Four Seasons are $1.5M – $3.5M, with penthouse units at circa $10M.)

If so, I'm left to wonder how this development will affect the views of the Four Seasons and 1401 Lawrence? It's smack dab in their view corridor, which ostensibly justifies the $600-$1000 per square foot each is charging owners.

We have an example of how it might affect prices: Promenade Lofts and Riverfront Tower. There is a new senior citizens facility going in at Little Raven and 15th. Folks with windows facing South/South West will now be looking into a building rather than the mountains. Prices per square foot have fallen considerably (down to $300-$350).

So you want downtown Denver's residential properties to be purchased by New Yorkers and Europeans who would reside here a few weeks a year? With all due respect, I think that's bizzare.

The entire point of building condos downtown is to create a thriving community that exists beyond 5pm. If the sole driver of development was the increase of tax dollars from property taxes, then your logic stands. But I'm pretty sure most folks would disagree with you.

Downtown needs a mix of medium and and high-end condo units. The current cost per square foot in LoDo/CPV runs from $275 to $600, with the vast majority in the $300-$450 range. This reflects the majority of purchasers who live and work in Denver / Front Range. This price range also lends itself to rents that are within reach for most middle/upper middle class folks.

Indeed, the entire development of the CPV hinges on the movement of Front Range citizens, not facilitating the purchase of a second or third condo by New Yorkers or Europeans. In CPV, the heavy rail will transport folks north and south, while light rail move residents of Denver proper. The essence of the project is to cut commute times, pollution, and sprawl while increasing community and quality of life.

These goals can't be realized if middle and upper middle class Coloradans can't afford to access the new developments. Projects like 1401 Lawrence and the Four Seasons don't fit well into the pocketbooks of most Coloradans. I fear that these types of projects, and the effect they have on prices, will do greater damage to the community's goals than further them.

That said, I hope the New Yorkers, Europeans, and whoever else buy the units up in droves 'cause I wanna see it go up, whether I can afford it or not.

Combine the $7.50 sq foot condo fees with incredibly high cost for the condo itself ($650+) makes me very leery this project will move forward. Those are NYC prices on Denver salaries!

All this said, 1401 is a brilliant building and incredibly designed from the inside out. To make it viable, I'd suggest they drop the chef (condo fees) and get the cost per square foot down to $450-$550. It worked for the Glass House.

You can't see it from the photo renderings, but if the model holds true, there will be a sort of "lighted box crown" on top of the building. Unless the lighting is exaggerated, it will be a decent way to dress up those top two mechanical levels. Hopefully the model isn't embellishing the top too much. I "lighted box" on top would certainly be better than just a "box".