There’s a new infill project planned for Downtown Denver’s Arapahoe Square district: Carbon Flats. The project will be located at 2130 Stout on Block 145, approximately mid-block along Stout and across the street from the Off Broadway Lofts–a nice project that was one of Arapahoe Square’s first infill developments.
Carbon Flats is a 22-unit, four-story condominium project to be built in two phases. Each phase features a ground-floor retail space and 11 residential units on the three floors above, plus a shared rooftop garden. Here’s a rendering of the project, courtesy of RAW Architecture, which is both the designer and the developer:
Groundbreaking for the first phase is planned for this fall. For more information on the project, including pricing, please check out the project website at www.carbonflats.com.
That's quite a high-profile site for such a low-density project of 4 stories. It's only two blocks East of 1999 Broadway which is 43 stories, and three blocks East of 1801 California, which is 53 stories tall!
It looks like Arapahoe Square is shaping up to be another LoDo-type neighborhood, with low-density right on the edge of some of the most densely developed sections of Central Downtown. That might be a good thing because is easier to fill up a neighborhood with low-density projects, and Arapahoe Square is overwhelmed by parking lots. I think if we want the neighborhood to fill in within the next 20 years, we'll have to deal with it being low-density.
But unlike in LoDo I'd hope we eventually get one or two mid-rises to spread out the skyline and blend in with the 700+ foot towers. I think mixed heights make for a nice place to live.
I dig it!
Nice project, I'm sure, but this is bad for downtown. Arapahoe Square needs a sub area plan that limits development to higher densities. This area will be downtown's last chance for more 10 story + buildings, after CPV and the Golden triangle, and so the potential for higher densities should be viewed as a resource, and preserved, which would make developments like this questionable.
Agree with pizzuti, "…might be a good thing because is easier to fill up a neighborhood with low-density projects, and Arapahoe Square is overwhelmed by parking lots." There's a HOT spot for the 10- , 12- & 15-story towers… surround the new passenger rail station at Fox & 41st with 'em.
Matt's absolutely right. Given the choice between this and the environment there now, give me this 4-story infill ANY time. Even in a good economy, financing for 10-story-plus buildings is hard to come by. That they're announcing this project now makes me want to give the developers the key to the city.
Whatever happened to A Square being a high density neighborhood? Wasn't that the plan? Way to stick to your guns, friggin cow town.
Relax, this is only one project in a sea of parking lots that can be developed into 10+ story buildings. Take a drive through Arapahoe Square and you will see what I mean by the mass availability of land for development.
Was there ever an Arapahoe Square neighborhood plan finished?
Really? Is this serious?
It's not that I don't like this project – far from it – I just find it hard to believe that there's sufficient demand for additional condos at the moment, especially with Spire about to add nearly 500 units. I suppose a developer putting their money where their mouth is can be interpreted as the ultimate "green shoot." Well, good luck to the developer, this is a good omen for the economy and a good omen for Denver… now if I could just find a job…
If Denver wants density, Denver must bring back its streetcar system. A good model we can use is Melbourne's, which has the world's largest tram system.
Agreed with most of the comments – nice project, looks great, and even if it's not "perfect" for the neighborhood, it's a welcome addition. However, I can't help but wonder if this is needed? There appears to a a bunch of similar condo/townhomes within a 1/2-mile or so radius of this. I do like the location & price, so maybe that's what the developer is thinking – can anyone provide some insight into this?
there are plenty more parking lots in Arapahoe square to fill in with high density towers. It's not like this project is a McDonalds or little one-story deal. I say fill it in with a few medium-sized projects now and show investors a neighborhood can exist.
How are the sales at Spire going? That sure is a boatload of new inventory downtown.
Well, let's face it, this is a well designed piece of residential property. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water just because it is a smaller project. I compare this architecture to say, the Alliance (Piggly Wiggly annex)on 22/Market at 8 stories where their only claim to fame is it's height. Bottom line, it's cheap construction but has your desired taller profile. This is one case where "less is more" unless you like the phony facade of cutsy stucco elements.
Any project, anywhere in Denver that is done well, needs to be encouraged. I appreciate this building and wish God speed to the designer and kudos to the developer!
Out with cheap-o looking buildings anywhere in Denver!
Dori
Certainly not the preferred high density project this area is zoned for, but in this market and considering A square is basically one big parking lot, I'll take it and just hope its not indicative of a low density trend.
It scares me that some of you are ready to hand the keys to the City over to someone who clearly hasn't learned from our current economic situation. This project looks to be just like any one of the profit driven projects that sprung up weekly 4 years ago. I see no differentiation between these and any number of units currently on the market – where's the up side for a potential buyer? Our buildings are turning into cars, asset that depreciate the day we drive them off the lot.
SC48
I believe the price point on these units are well below that of Spire. Two completely different demographics, don;t see much overlap at all.
Nice to see a new project, wouldn't be too concerned about the lack of density. walking through the CBD and Arapahoe Square yesterday there is still plenty of space to develop those 30+ story condo towers. Even smaller projects like this make downtown a more enjoyable place to walk around and live which will eventually manifest itself in demand for the larger residential projects.
"How are the sales at Spire going?"
They just announced a $35k credit if you buy now. That has to make buyers feel very comfortable. What next price insurance? I don't know what if anything they are offering those that already bought. It will really bring down Glass House sales as well, as it is essentially the same product. Check out the Metropolis and Spire projects in Atlanta, essentially the same thing but 40% cheaper. The Lodo condo market really got out of whack and you can expect to see a 20% drop in prices. The Glass House also wants to build an identical building next to Glass House. That was shelved for now, but will be another serious price blow.
I should add the Spire really upset a lot of potential buyers by offering units with no parking spots and making them expensive add-ons. Denver is just like Manhattan don't you know. I estimated that move cost them over a million. People don't like to feel like they are being taken advantage of. If people feel they are being nickled and dimed they will take their business elsewhere. Why all the childish games?
I was surprised to hear about this project a month ago, as there is an over supply of condos in downtown and LoDo, and the market has been very flat.
However, the design is very nice and the prices are reasonable, unlike many upscale townhouse developments in the area (selling for $600,000) which most of them remains vacant and unsold.
I still can't understand how developers could think they could build and sell expensive townhouses which are co-mingled with homeless shelters and missions, where transients wander around the neighborhood.
I think this project will do reasonably well.
Using HTML to scale an image is just not acceptable in this day and age.
people arent being nickled and dimed because the spire is offering parking a la carte…they are being given a choice since the cost of the space isnt being automatically rolled into the cost of the condo unit. its a good thing.
I also would love to see the Arapahoe Square master plan, if there is one completed. I think that neighborhood needs a shady central square. Put the "square" into Arapahoe Square. One neighborhood I love, but would probably be hard to replicate is South Park in San Francisco. It has a park at the center of four city block area. It is self-contained, but it has a unique character. The neighborhood was developed in the late 1800's and is based on similar neighborhoods popular in England and Scotland at the time. I also love all the park squares in Savannah, Georgia.
Corey
"people arent being nickled and dimed because the spire is offering parking a la carte…they are being given a choice since the cost of the space isnt being automatically rolled into the cost of the condo unit. its a good thing."
They could have easily given prices based on one parking spot per bedroom like everyone else, and then given you the option chose to deduct it. That way in their pricing advertising they would be comparing apples to apples. They intentionally chose not to do so and then advertise a low price point knowing they are, in fact, not comparing apples to apples. Such games are not appropriate. Personally, I do not think it should be be even legal to build new condo units with less than one parking spot per bedroom. It is bad design and is asking for problems.
I don't think it's that big of a deal. Just don't drive… OR… park your car somewhere else that is a LOT cheaper.
Are you kidding? This project is a good thing, you could wait 100 years and there still would not be enough demand to fill Arapahoe Square with wall to wall towers. Heck even in Manhattan there are smaller buildings of 3-5 stories!
Selling parking seperate from a high-rise condo unit is quite common here in downtown denver and especially common in larger cities. I think it was the right move for the Spire and I believe they went beyond the norm since they offer specially designed parking spots for scooter and motorcycles that cost much less than a normal parking spot. Plus, factor in the Hertz on the ground floor where people can rent a wide array of cars hourly and the proximity to th e light rail station, there is little need to actually have a car. So people who take advantage of all of these features are quite grateful they don't have to pay for a spot they won't use. I live in a high-rise condo fairly close by and the parking spot start at $55K+. A parking spot that starts at $25K at the Spire seems like a steal to me!
I'm seeing arapahoe square as THE prime spot for some action. It has been bypassed by developers for the past 10 years because of high land costs and little movement. Now with the economic "reboot", land costs are in check, along with construction pricing and it's now possible to create new development at a very good price. There is little to no inventory in arapahoe square, yet plenty of access to light rail and downtown. I think the time has come.
"Selling parking seperate from a high-rise condo unit is quite common here in downtown denver and especially common in larger cities. . . . A parking spot that starts at $25K at the Spire seems like a steal to me!"
Can you name the other newer buildings whose condo units were not priced with at least one parking space? You should be able to name a few since it is "quite common." With new builds, they have an opporunity to build the garage (preferably underground to the greatest extent possible) to match the building. Also do you really think it is practicable to not have a parking spot in Denver? Your statements seem more like those of a Realtor or someone that already bought a condo there and is trying to rationalize backwards. Anyhow, the market has already decided this issue – hence the need for the 35k credit to try to get these things moving. You have to be able to tell the difference between excuses/rationalizations and truth/real motives to survive in this real estate market.