This past Friday, February 1, veteran developer Evan Makovsky closed on the purchase of the historic McClintock Building on Downtown Denver’s Block 162.
Makovsky achieved “urban hero” status last summer with his successful acquisition of the Steel’s Building, home of the long-vacant Fontius shoe store, as well as several other parcels on the block including the old Bank of Denver and Republic Hotel buildings and a couple of surface parking lots. The only property Makovsky did not acquire on Block 162 in 2007 was the historic McClintock building at the corner of 16th and California. With Friday’s closing, Makovsky now owns all of Block 162.
Unlike the long-blighted Steel’s Building, which is also a member of the Downtown Denver Historic District and currently undergoing a complete restoration, the McClintock is in relatively good shape. Consequently, don’t expect to see any immediate changes to the McClintock. Makovsky’s acquisition of the McClintock was a strategic move. It not only allows him to protect his investment in the rest of Block 162, but it also allows him to plan the block’s future in a comprehensive manner and potentially incorporate (physically and/or programmatically) the McClintock Building in with the new mixed-use project Makovsky is planning to construct on the now-vacant portions of the block.
For the first time in… well, probably ever, Block 162 is under the control of a single entity. That is good news for Downtown Denver and its ongoing revitalization.
Long live Radio Shack. Every downtown needs one. Now that Woolworth's is long (and I mean long) gone, something has to succeed it. Off topic, but why can't the Tabor Center lease its empty spaces? Does the developer just not care??????
And what's up with 1800 Larimer. There was some work a few weeks ago but now even the 1800 Larimer signs are gone.
a little off topic here, but does anyone have a guess about the height the 4S and spire will be for the DNC?
This is great news. Anon 2:47, I don't think your second comment is off topic. If the 16th st mall can move away from check cashing windows, Radio Shacks, and dirty Taco Bells, then perhaps some of the nicer spaces there won't have as much trouble finding tenants willing to pay "nicer" rents. There's a place in every city for check cashing windows and McDonalds', why does Denver's place have to be its premier tourist strip? I think sprucing up that block will is a huge step in the right direction.
Gotta get rid of that Taco Bell. Their food is bland and nutritionally atrocious, and their stores are ugly. Anthony's Pizza isn't any better for you, but at least it's delicious. I remember the Musicland store that was the previous tenant in the Taco Bell space; as a teenager I bought a lot of music there. I also remember the See's Candy shop that was in Radio Shack's space (and personally, I think RS is a fine tenant to have–downtown has to have the real alongside the fake).
I'd like to see zoning for 16th Street that prohibits check cashing places, pawn shops, and other marginal uses.
Congratulations to Evan Makovsky, and to Ken, whose blogging about the Fontius led directly to this news.
Sorry about the inaccuracy of my previous comment: it was a Russell Stover's candy store. See's was in the Colorado Building next to B. Dalton.
Great news!
I think this block will be the single most important improvement for downtown in a long time. So far his attention to quality on Fontius is a good sign. Lets hope for a major tenant to move on in!
Just like a regular mall, it takes major anchor tenants to make it sucessful. So far its just the pedestrian experience that is keeping the mall alive. The grimy tourist shops, chain discount stores, and large gaps without retail uses at all aren't really cutting it at the moment.
Is there any update on that contest that was held to design a temporary structure on the site for the DNC?
16th Street Mall is a tourist destination, hence the tourist shops. Not quite sure where why this is such a huge problem for everyone. Are we going to move the tourist shops to DIA? Even star studded cities like NY have grimy tourist shops ALL OVER.
I agree that 16th Street needs a spruced up look and I think in time it will get a little makeover.
On another note, an anchor tenant such as a department store will probably not happen for many many years if at all. There have been rumors for years that a Target would open on the mall and as of late…still nothing. I certainly do not have high hopes for that. What I would like to see is a change in the tides for Cherry Creek and Downtown. There are plenty of independent stores closing down in Cherry Creek to make way for the trendier retailers. I'd love to see downtown reach out for those retailers and get them into spaces downtown. I believe one of the biggest complaints has been the condition of many of these retail spots. Supposedly, many landlords do not assist in building out spaces or providing "vanilla box" finishes so that a tenant can easily move in.
I love 16th Street because of its diversity from its tourist trap stores, to Walgreens, to Barnes and Noble, to it's many food offerings…even Taco Hell!
Anon 2:47, the developers of 1800 larimer are still working on their permits. The last sign off was on 2/4/2008. If you want to track it's progress through the permitting system go to: http://www.denvergov.com/bid
Click on commercial and enter
2007M00203
I don't believe the developer has given up on the project yet.
Maybe you don't like the Taco Bell, etc., but after seeing the LRT Stations in downtown Sacramento (thru the K Street Mall as of summer of '06), I'll take the 16th St. Mall shops/buildings and cross street stations any day! The LRT stations in Sacto and the stores they sit in front of, particularly as one heads towards the outdoor shopping "mall" and Old Town are scary, even during the day! And btw, even though light rail has been running in the Sacto area since 1987, they have little or no TOD/redevelopment around stations to show for it. It's all relative, I guess.
Anyone know what's going on in that old food court building on 16th and Champa a few blocks down? It's being completely gutted, and for a few months before I saw a liquor license notice on the window.
^ Check out the LiveDowntownDenver blog:
http://livedowntowndenver.com/blog/?p=398
It has got to be fate that brings the sig. tower to this parcel, has to be watch.
Ken, Any update on the Ultimate Urban Space Initiative?