So what is up with the proposed Embassy Suites Hotel project in Downtown Denver on Block 138? Tracking this project is like watching paint dry. The project was first announced on April 1, 2005, before I began my DenverInfill blog. Then, during the summer of 2006, the old Motor Garage Hotel on the site was closed, with the obvious expectation that demolition of the garage and construction of the hotel would commence soon thereafter. But it took until November 2006 before there was evidence that demolition of the garage was imminent. But demolition didn’t actually begin until May 2007, and then it took months for the building to be razed. Even to this day, there is still rubble and equipment on the ground at the site, as if the demolition effort still isn’t quite complete. Meanwhile, with the exception of the original announcement of the project in 2005, there have been no press releases or public announcements (that I’ve been aware of) about this project since then from Whiteco, the Indiana-based hotel developer that is supposedly doing this project, or from anyone else for that matter.
I can appreciate the difficulty in doing high-rise development in a downtown setting and how long it can take to put all the pieces together, particularly in our current environment of uncertain financial markets and escalating construction costs. I have spoken with many developers who have told me how difficult it can be to execute a major project, despite the apparent demand for the end result, and I truly respect that. Nevertheless, a little PR during the process goes a long way. This isn’t some remote site that only a few people might care about. This is one of the most prominent sites in Downtown Denver, located directly across the street from our convention center. Some news–any news–about the status of the proposed Embassy Suites Hotel project would be appreciated. Denver’s Four Seasons project took almost three years to get from announcement to groundbreaking, but at least they had periodic press releases to let people know what was going on. From this Embassy Suites project? Zilch. Let’s just hope no news is good news.
I'm still curious about the Spire project. Obviously nothing has come through on the funding side? I don't think anything is going to be done for the DNC in Aug. Slow, slow Denver.
Lifter, go check out the forum at skyscraperpage.com. What does slow, slow Denver have to do with anything?
I'm pretty sure the Hyatt, the Convention Center, the Pepsi Center, SE Light Rail, the DCPA, LODO, the 16th Street Mall, Ritz, Investco Field, 6 Flags Elitch Gardens, MCA, etc will all be done by the DNC in August. In other words all the things that make the delegation pick Denver in the first place. One fairly tall project near the convention center that may or may not be done is going to have as much effect on the convention as moronic irrelevant comments on the general pace of Denver's development speed will have on any projects completion dates.
anon, it makes us look pathetic that's what it has to do with something…the project's marketers obviously don't care enough about Denver's market to spend enough to start a buzz and create excitement about their buildings. Its embarassing to have these lots sitting still…it's going to make Denver look super ghetto whent the DNC comes to Denver this summer.
amen Ken
kcollins-
are you worried that people in New York or Miami or L.A. will make fun of us? WHO CARES!?
We know that Denver is a great place to live with exciting things happening all over and if you don't recognize that, LEAVE!
The only thing that is pathetic is people who wine about things that they have no control over.
Bring on the democrats!!
Anon 12:28,
Yes I think it is important that Denver makes a good impression, the people who are coming from New York and Boston, and the images that will be flashed over national television may influence more corporations to create or move their offices to Denver. So, for Denver to look like a mess is not in its best interest.
I think if there are enough of us upset about a certain development there can be action, must I bring up frontus….so people complaining about an issue can change things.
Also if you are going to make a low jab at me, perhaps you should check you spelling first.
Have a nice day 🙂
Ken, have you heard any updates on the W hotel & residences on 16th & Market?
While it would be nice to have the project going, Denver will look great during the convention! Spire will be back going and have some solid height, as will the 4S. Convention goers are going to stream out of the Pepsi Center and into Lodo to see the many projects going on there. My one wish is that it look like something is happening at the 1800 Market site by that time. Market Street, from about 1750 to 1900 is probably the most pedestrian unfriendly part of Lodo, if not downtown! I know it is very wishful thinking, but come on, get it going!
kcollins-
sorry for the low jab, but I get annoyed when folks rag on my city and call it pathetic.
First of all, Denver is far from a mess compared to NY/Boston/L.A. We have one of the cleanest cities in the US. We also have a slew of shiny new buildings to show off.
Second, two stalled projects are not likely to deter any corporation from expanding into Denver and it certainly does not make Denver look like a mess.
Third, it will take more than a few upset citizens to get the spire completed. It will take over a hundred million dollars.
hopefully Whiteco and Nichols can get their projects moving before the crowds come in. If not, let's get them to throw some tarps over their sites 😉
Also, take a minute a review your spelling as well…
Thanks 🙂
Im curious what grounds MR. Anonymous (second one down) up there, has to assert his more than obviously under educated opinions on? There is more than a year's worth of work to be done on most of the buildings in progress downtown, right now. And yes, we should care about what NY and LA think. As Ken mentioned, they bring the budget to make Denver a place worth living in. Just like all of the people making Denver a happening place to live, are from NY, LA, and other cities where things don't go "slow, slow."
Im not even sure what the hell the last compound, run-on, fragment, sentence was supposed to mean.. I honestly wish people like you would move, to a small town in southern CO or something. You are the lazy asses that keep Denver slow!
It is kind of embarassing to have a big rubble patch in front of the Convention Center, and what the hell that demolition company is thinking ADVERTISING their demolition effort, I have no idea. This is the slowest, most inefficient job of demolition I've ever seen. And they hang signs up for it! Amazing, really. I really wouldn't mind if they'd plant some grass or something, but it's just hideous. Even the strip club across the street has more class.
Most people going to the convention won't know The Spire is stalled. It will just look like another building under construction. I don't see a problem in that.
AMEN LIFTER BARON!! YOU ARE AMAZING!
Saint you are awesome as well!
Lifter Baron, If you read closely and carefully, maybe a bit more "slowly" you'd see that none of the projects I mentioned are under construction. All of them are newer and have contributed to Denver's vitality and appeal. A work in progress in front of the convention center even if stalled is going to have no effect on people from larger cities. Indeed I'm sure they are well aware, being from cities full of development, that projects often start, stop, start again, stop and then finally finish. I'm sure being from bigger much much more sophisticated cities like the ones you think you belong in, they will understand that demolition is a necessary step toward construction sometimes. They also won't know that it's been being demolished for as long as it has. Indeed they are from much much more sophisticated cities than Denver (like the kind you feel you belong in) and won't have been paying attention to that specific lot lo these many 'slow, slow' years.
Assuming that everyone is going to come to Denver and think it's ghetto because of one or two projects takes calcuated, intentional ignorance. The kind of ignorance and wild assumptions that lead to saying someone who comments is undereducated when he, in fact, has education in architecture, medicine, neuroscience research, art, design and published work in several journals. The kind of assumptions that lead one to suggest that I move to Southern Colorado when I grew up there and understand the workings of development and pace in this state as much as or more than every other poster on this board. The kind of assumptions that lead one to call out someone for being lazy when, in fact, I work 80 to 90 hour weeks in 3 jobs including 2 that are held by exactly 1 person in the country at a time. Then lumping this imaginary moron that you've made up into a group causing a problem that doesn't even exist in Denver is VERY classy and spectacularly builds up your credibility.
Calling everying in Denver "Slow, Slow" because one or two projects aren't going forward fast enough for YOU requires the same backward troglodite thinking that calling an entire race lazy or violent does based on watching one or two people of the same color. These kinds of statements are nauseating and counterproductive.
The DNC is going to be just fine and as nearly every other event that comes to Denver has found, they will be impressed with the city.
Amen… ^^^^
Good Lord, people should calm down and be civil. This is Denverinfill, not Denverinfighting (or even Denverinbreds!).
Peace.
Do to recent activity at the site, it looks like the Spire construction will restart in the next few weeks. Also,I think the Embassy Suites will start construction in the next few months. So, by the time of the DNC both construction sites will be very active. I really don't think there is anything to fret about. Besides, it is true that any visitor will not know these two projects are sitting idle. They will just assume they are in the early stages of construction. However, I do not understand why some projects take so long. It seems the developers would like to have the projects completed asap so they can start making money.
i also don't think that the delayed construction on these two projects is something to worry about for the DNC, but i would think that the developers would want their projects up for this exact reason. this could be very good marketing for them.
ya think!
I'm just tired of this dirt lawn directly outside of my building. I'd rather the demolition have taken place and they have laid some grass down if construction weren't due for a while. And that's for MY own sake, and the sake of other downtown denizens. The Spire construction site isn't so bad, since it gives me the feel that I live in some sort of bleak, futuristic, Dickian, post-modern 80's movie.
I completely agree with Saint.. I'm sure the city is putting due pressure on both the Embassy Suites rubble pile, and the site at 15th/California to spruce up for the DNC. I am fairly confident this project will get out of the ground sooner rather than later, the hotel market is just to strong in Denver right now.