Ryan just posted the exciting news that the the 25-story SkyHouse Denver project is moving forward, as the surface parking lot where the tower will rise is currently being eradicated.
Long-time DenverInfill readers may remember our Worst Parking Lot contest of 2007. One of the five nominated lots from that contest was the surface lot at East 18th Avenue and Broadway—the one presently being dismantled for SkyHouse. While ultimately not the contest winner (that infamous honor went to the lot on Block 039 in LoDo, which is still as repugnant today as it was in 2007), we’re still very glad to see the parking lot at 18th and Broadway go away.
As part of the contest, we featured a “Before They Were Parking Lots” series of posts, which took a look at the buildings that once stood on each site. For the parking lot at 18th and Broadway, the former occupants were the Cosmopolitan Hotel and the Hotel Metropole.
With the Hotel Metropole already having been demolished, the Cosmopolitan Hotel bit the dust on May 20, 1984. A DenverInfill reader uploaded this video to YouTube of the Cosmopolitan Hotel implosion:
Thirty-one years later, a new building will finally rise at this site. That took longer than what I’m sure most people would have hoped for, but that’s the way it goes when there are so many sites available, only so much demand to go around, and that the completion of any high-rise development is a small miracle in an of itself. Who knows, maybe SkyHouse will be the catalyst for the redevelopment of the rest of the parking lots in this part of Downtown in the near future.
In any case, the repair of Downtown Denver’s urban fabric continues, and documenting and celebrating that process is what DenverInfill is all about. City-building is a fascinating enterprise that I, along with many of you, find exhilarating—so much so that sometimes we meet up just to talk about it!
I am ecstatic this lot is being developed! Especially for residential, since there is very little residential in that area. I like the modern Art Deco design as well, even though I understand it is almost an exact copy of Skyhouses built in other cities. Now my most loathed parking lot is the dirt lot on 17th Street.
Do you mean the lot by the bus stop? I agree. Speaking of parking lot disasters: please take a walk to the corner of Lincoln and 16th Ave. Right in front of the historic YMCA building. There you will see a dilapidated “double decker”, entire city block parking lot nightmare. It takes up Lincoln and 16th Ave, up the hill to Sherman, and then over to 17th. It is in one word; utterly hideous. It has got to be the worst downtown. And this spot used to be the most glorious residential area in Denver.
“In one word ‘utterly hideous'” – haha… that’s two words. I’m a ding bat.
Exciting stuff! That Cosmopolitan Hotel demolition was difficult to watch – almost impossible to imagine that happening today. Anyone know the history of that decision and if there were any compelling alternatives presented?
Looks like half the block will be a parking garage? Any ground floor use?
I was wondering this myself. That area of Lincoln is already pretty bleak.
There will be retail spaces on both Lincoln and Broadway, although Broadway will have the larger retail presence. Also, the latest plans, which can be found via a Google search, show the garage will be shorter, about four stories. I guess that means less parking, but a shorter building (garage) will have less of an urban feel.
What a gorgeous old building that used to stand on that site! That would have made an amazing apartment/condo project in this day. So very sad and short sighted. However, great to see dirt moving on this site – onward and upward!
Thanks to you Ken, for ‘birthing’ Denverinfill! It is in my top 3 sites. I wonder what is the net increase of public parking spaces on a surface lot after an average development happens on the lot?
Any idea if anything is planned for the two lots on either side of Market Street between 18th and 19th. Those are big, ugly and in the middle of prime real estate.
No kidding Troy. As much as I love all this other stuff, I don’t understand why those blocks don’t get filled. That Corum real estate really dropped the ball on 1800 Market St.
I also submit the open lot on 17th and Welton for consideration of worst…
Joey I think you mean 15th and Welton and yes, you are spot on. Ugly lot in a prime building area. Needs a hotel or residential there.
Would also love to see them move the Federal Reserve building on Arapahoe and 16th to the Golden Triangle area, and build a large residential multi tower project there similar to the Beauvallon.
I am so happy to see something finally going up on the old Cosmopolitan site! I was the third generation of my family to work at the “Cosmo” and my heart has ached for 31 years every time I pass this corner. I remember, before they imploded it, the promise was of a new high rise coming very soon. Unfortunately the economy soured in Denver at the same time and it didn’t happen. I have many fond memories of the old Cosmo and this new building will do the corner proud!
3325 Denargo Market. This is the black hole of parking lots, where other parking lots go to die….