CONNECT
For yet another year, the City and County of Denver led all counties in Colorado in numeric population increase, according to the US Census Bureau and their just-released population estimates for July 1, 2008. Here are the numbers:
Source: US Census Bureau
This is a great sign that our core city remains the thriving heart of the region, and that through infill development and higher densities, we are achieving a more sustainable kind of growth.
At their meeting on Tuesday, the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission upheld the Lower Downtown Design Review Board’s approval of Buzz Geller’s proposed “Bell Tower” project at Speer and Market. In February, a LoDo resident had filed an appeal to the LPC to overturn the LDDRB’s approval of the Bell Tower’s preliminary design.
Now, the rest is up to Mr. Geller and his development team to move this project from concept to reality.
For those of you interested in the appeal to the Landmark Preservation Commission regarding the Lower Downtown Design Review Board’s approval of Buzz Geller’s proposed Bell Tower project, the hearing before the LPC to rule on the appeal is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 1:00 PM in Room 4.F.6 of the Wellington Webb office building, 14th & Colfax.
Several of you wrote letters to the LPC in support of the Bell Tower, but showing up and vocally supporting the project before the Commission could certainly help the cause. You know that the NIMBYs in the Larimer Place condo tower will probably be there in force to oppose the project.
MARCH 12 EDIT: It appears testimony will not be allowed at the hearing, for or against. You can attend the meeting to observe what happens only.
Because the construction lift wasn’t running on Sunday when we went, the highest up we got was only to the twelfth floor. But even from there the views were stunning, and I’m looking forward to going back in a couple of weeks to see more of the building and to get up to the penthouse. Until then, here are some photos of what I saw last weekend:
First, we started out in the Spire sales center, which is almost finished and planning to open soon in the ground floor of the Convention Center right at the corner of 14th and Champa, directly across from Spire. Inside they have an awesome model of the tower:
Here’s looking down at the 9th floor outdoor Club level, where there will be a pool, hot tub, fire pit, and all sorts of other amenities:
Also inside the sales office are two full-scale furnished model units; one of a larger two-bedroom unit, and the other of a studio unit. Here are a couple of shots of the kitchen/great room of the larger model unit:
Here is the fire pit area under construction on the 9th floor Club level overlooking the Performing Arts Complex (left) and part of the swimming pool with the Convention Center beyond (right):
Two key themes that Nichols Partnership has for Spire is attainability and sustainability. About 60% of the units will be priced below $400,000; a great price for such a central Downtown location. Spire will also be a LEED certified building featuring, among many green-friendly elements, a handy “single-stream recycling” chute on every floor:
Finally, a couple of views from the 12th floor:
Spire will open in December. More photos and blogs about Spire coming in the future. For more information, including floorplans, check out the project website: www.SpireDenver.com.
