As I pondered in yesterday’s blog about the announcement that Denver had been selected to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the question of the Embassy Suites/Homewood Suites towers being done in time for the convention was raised by John Rebchook in today’s Rocky Mountain News. Here’s the article: Two Hotels Could Open by August 2008. Looks like it could be close. We’ll have to see if Whiteco, the developer, thinks it’s worth going for or not.
Regardless of the actual opening date of the Embassy/Homewood project, Denver should be sporting a number of major Downtown construction projects when the Dems come for their visit. The Spire (now planning an April groundbreaking, I hear) should be topping off on its 41 stories. Both the Spire and the Embassy/Homewood projects occupy sites within a block or two of the new Hyatt, which will serve as the headquarters hotel for the Democrats. Having those three new towers under construction next to the Hyatt will certainly send a very different message to our guests than if they were to see the nasty parking lots that are there today.
Also under construction during the convention should be: the Denver Justice Center, the Museum Residences tower, City House, 1800 Market Residences, and possibly three or four major office/mixed-use projects in the LoDo/CPV area (take your pick… 1400 Wewatta, 1515 Wynkoop, 1900 16th Street, 1800 Larimer, 1755 Blake). And, if we get really lucky, add in the Great Gulf Tower and/or the Four Seasons. Wouldn’t that be sweet!
A great way to show the rest of the nation and the world how dynamic and thriving our Downtown (and, by extension, our entire community) is, would be to have a dozen tower cranes looming over our Downtown streets. Bring it on!
