Back in September 2011, we announced a very exciting project; the first high-rise apartment building rising in the new Union Station redevelopment field. Twenty-eight months later, the 13-story apartment tower, Cadence, is now complete and has completely transformed the Union Station neighborhood. Cadence was a very exciting project to follow because of the impact it was making. As per our final update tradition, here are all of the updates Cadence appeared in:
New Downtown Denver Project: 17th & Chestnut
Union Station District Project Update: Cadence Apartments
Goodbye Empty Lots, You Will Not Be Missed
Spring 2013: Downtown Denver Tower Crane Census
Union Station: Cadence Apartments Update #5
Union Station: Cadence Apartments Update #6
From both Wewatta Street and the Millennium Bridge, Cadence has quite the presence in the Union Station redevelopment field. This, however, is going to change very quickly with the 21-story ‘The Platform‘ rising across the street and 1601 Wewatta under-construction right next door. The blank wall on the first three floors will also be covered up in the very near future!
Cadence has a very unique design, unlike anything we have seen lately. The facade differs in both shape and color between both ends of the building and has multiple setbacks throughout the length of the building.
The 17th Street Gardens are just to the north of Cadence providing a great public space and a clear path to get through the Union Station neighborhood. Urban public spaces are very successful when they are closed in because it gives them a sense of place; Cadence is the first piece to making that possible. The next key project will be north of the gardens at 17th and Wewatta.
Finally, let’s take a look at the most important part of any project: the street level. Cadence hits it out of the park with a very inviting main entrance, and great ground floor retail presence with very tasteful awnings along both 17th Street and Chestnut. The sidewalk pavers along 17th Street, next to Cadence, also match those used in the 17th Street Gardens.
Cadence is providing the Union Station neighborhood with 220 apartment units in a 13-story tower. The building is already open and leasing units. Welcome to Denver and the Union Station neighborhood!
Wow!! This building is amazing. It’s very tasteful and modern and doesn’t feel at all cheap. And I really love what they’ve done at street level. It’s very inviting, and it’s wonderful that it relates so well to the gardens. Nice!
Im actually surprised how dated and suburban it feels. The street level facade is pretty underwhelming for the attention the area will hopefully get in the coming years. It looks like they swapped some of the siding, opted for lighter brick and the terribly colored, blue/green steal as opposed to the black, and a more refined, richer palette.
One of the rare cases where I think the renderings look better than the actual build. Hopefully seeing it in person and at scale will bring it to life.
I’m inclined to agree. It’s not a bad building but a little bit bland and boring. At least the windows don’t seem to be claustrophobically small like a lot of construction taking place right now and it has some height (although in my opinion not enough for what the neighborhood could have been).
I think the side along 17th turned out way better than the rendering. And the retail space looks very well done and no doubt should be pretty happening.
Do we know when the fencing around the bus depot skylights in the 17th street gardens will come down?
I’m glad to see a project that has the right kind of scale for the site. More of the projects in this part of town should be pushing higher density given the proximity to the transit hub and downtown. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished project in person next time I’m in that part of downtown.
It’s going to start to be really nice when getting on and off at the light rail, finally some life in this area. Can’t wait for the this building to fill up (with residents and businesses) and for the other buildings to be completed. This summer is going to be very exciting for this neighborhood.
This is great, a first step for apartments at Union Station. The next big thing is when King Soopers opens. The entire neighborhood will come alive with people walking to the store, carrying bags and pulling carts, day and night. The street scene more alive with locals.
Apartments will rent fast.