Denver-based Westfield Development is planning on breaking ground Spring 2007 on a 22-story, 500,000 square foot office building at 18th and Larimer on Block 066 in Downtown Denver. John Rebchook broke the news this morning’s Rocky (Structure to Tower Over LoDo).

The site sits on the edge between between Lower Downtown and Central Downtown, and is occupied by a small complex of one- and two-story buildings. Here’s what the site currently looks like:

I don’t have a rendering of the project yet, but the article describes the building as having a blue and gray glass facade and a 30-foot “wall of water” in the lobby. The building will also achieve a silver LEED rating for sustainability and is being designed by RNL Design.

This project marks the seventh office building (or mixed-use project with an office component) announced for Lower Downtown in the past year (Sugar3, 1515 Wynkoop, 1400 Wewatta, 1755 Blake, Tabor II, 1900 16th Street, and now 1800 Larimer). If all or even most of these projects come to fruition, Lower Downtown will become an even more dynamic and energized place than it already is, plus several blocks of parking lots will be eradicated too. A key factor in the success of these office projects is job growth. For 20 years, Downtown’s workforce population has remained stagnant. We need to make Downtown an attractive place for new companies looking for their first space, for firms currently located in suburban office parks looking for a stimulating environment, and for companies from out of the region looking for a new home. If we can recruit new employers into Downtown, we can fill all of these new office buildings and build even more. Tom Clark’s comment in the Rocky Mountain News article about the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation’s effort to lure an out-of-state Fortune 500 company to LoDo is a positive step in that direction.

Another factor that will boost Downtown Denver’s attractiveness to new firms is a great public transport system, and with this week’s selection of a master developer for Union Station and today’s grand opening of the 19-mile Southeast Light Rail line, things are definitely looking up for Downtown!