It’s been five months since we last visited Dairy Block, and it is more than due for an update. In fact, we have a two part series that will explore both the exterior and interior of the project. If you haven’t been in the area recently, Dairy Block is really taking shape with most of the exterior and streetscape is complete.
For this update, we are going to be focusing on the exterior of Dairy Block. Let’s start out at 18th and Wazee Street where the office component resides. The offices are complete and tenants have already started to move in. The facade is sharp with dark grey brick on part of the building along 18th Street, and red brick down Wazee and along the rest of the 18th Street side.
Moving around the block towards 19th Street, you are greeted by The Maven Hotel, which is nearing completion. Even though Dairy Block is a single structure along Wazee, the office and hotel components have completely different facades and styles making them feel like separate buildings. This helps break up monotony and is also an easy way to identify which use each side of the building is.
The Blake Street side of Dairy Block turned out great. It blends into the rest of the block nicely yet keeps the modern appearance from the rest of the project.
Now let’s explore the amazing, new streetscape along Wazee Street. 15 foot sidewalks, plus an amenity area, are consistent along the entire block making this a pedestrian’s dream. Some of the final touches, such as the streetlights, are still underway but the sidewalk is open to the public.
While you are enjoying the wide sidewalks, there are some great features along the building that really make this project great; like a metal waterfall that extends to the height of the building.
Or the protruding brick facade on the outside of The Maven Hotel which is well lit thanks to the new street lights and lamps on the project itself.
Do you remember what was here before Dairy Block? There wasn’t a whole lot. I think we can all agree that this project has improved not only Wazee Street, but Lower Downtown in general. Coming up next, we will explore the interior of Dairy Block, including the alley!
This project is looking good. I like wide sidewalks. Now I hope they don’t get filled up with clutter.
Incredible transformation!
Excellent reminder on what used to be before dairy block was built. I was trying to remember, but couldn’t quite come up with it. This is a very nice addition to LoDo!
This is indeed a good design. I was a bit concerned about how it would mesh with existing Blake Street buildings, but it turned out well. Off the subject here, but what do folks think about the Born Hotel??? Not sure I am thrilled with its utter rectangulousness (I know, that isn’t a word.)
As far as the Kimpton Born, I wish it was a little lighter. The black stone comes off as pretty harsh in that space. Even a charcoal or lighter gray would have been preferred. Still, overall I like the design.
I think the Born Hotel should now be referred to as the “Borg” Hotel, as it looks like the Borg cube shaped ship from Star Trek: The Next Generation!
Overall, this project is a win, but I wish they would have gone with black window framing on the office portion instead of silver. Something more like 18th and Central in LoHi has an older feel that would fit better with the historic structures in LoHi. The silver window frames seem somewhat jarring to me when looking at them in-person. Has anyone else noticed that?
Black window frames are a really bad environmental choice with Denver sun. Silver or grey is about as light as you can go before it becomes a negative from an energy use perspective.
Interesting. I hadn’t thought about that. I just thought it cheapened the overall look of the project, but it very well could have been an efficiency decision.
Great modern addition to a historical district. This one was long time coming – Arnold Schwarzenegger owned the property at one point and it looked liked it might get developed right after Coors Field was built. 20 years later, it’s finally happening.
IMHO, this is the best thought-out and executed development in LODO aside from the historic Train Hall & wing buildings at Union Station. They did an amazing job of integrating into the existing fabric while still adding something new and modern to the mix.
I also think the developer and architect did a really good job with this project. Turned out nicely and has enhanced LoDo. Well done!
One question I have about this project is what’s up with the lack of streetscaping? This is a great project and addition to LoDo and a lot of great features that you all have highlighted, but shouldn’t getting more green especially around development downtown be emphasized more?
They’ve added street trees to those planters visible in the photos, they just weren’t planted when the photos were taken.
Ryan – a Final Update with interior shots and once the alleyway is activated would be great. The alleyway is the most exciting part of this project and could be really cool if they get some interesting shops and restaurants to land there.