By Jose Esparza
Mi Casa Resource Center, a 38 year-old resource center based in Denver with a mission to advance the economic success of Latino families, has partnered with Gorman & Company, Inc., a real estate development firm with a vision for strengthening neighborhoods through strategic investments, to provide 42 mixed-income housing units with the entire first floor being occupied by the offices of Mi Casa. The mixed-use development will infill a 56,190 square foot vacant lot at 3116 W. Alameda Avenue. Here is a Google Earth image showing the project location one block west of the Federal and Alameda intersection:
One of the unique aspects of the Terraza del Sol building is how it will incorporate a second floor Futsal court and playground. This is just one of the many ways Gorman was able to take community feedback and incorporate it into the design to create a building that gives its residents more than just a home.
The two renderings below of Terraza del Sol are courtesy of the project designer, Shopworks Architecture.
The construction of Terraza del Sol is expected to begin late summer or early fall 2015 with the hopes of opening its doors in late 2016.
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Jose Esparza came to Denver in 2011 to study Urban Planning. He attained a BS in Architecture from the University of Michigan and a MURP from the University of Colorado Denver. Currently, Jose is Executive Director of West Community Economic Development Corporation, a 501c3 non-profit in west Denver, and serving on the Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
I really like the sun mural on the building – I’ve always thought that some bright paint and a few abstract designs are a great way to make an otherwise boring building kind of interesting. I’d love to see more new constructions (and renovations of our boxier 70’s buildings) use a similar approach to design.
Hat tip to Mr. Esparza.
It’s always great to see infill going on outside the urban core! This area of town could use a bit of density with a new and fresh building!