Denver-based Zocalo Development doesn’t waste time. Just a few months after launching construction on their 10-story, 231-unit apartment project at 2020 Lawrence, they have just announced their next project: a 13-story, 220-unit apartment project at 17th & Chestnut in the heart of the Union Station district. In fact, this new project will be the first to front the future 17th Street Gardens, one of the new public spaces planned as part of the Union Station Transit Center project.
As you long-time readers know, we pride ourselves here at DenverInfill on providing the highest-resolution project renderings for your enjoyment. Thanks to the good folks at Zocalo, I’m happy to share with you with this sweet rendering, in two size options even. Click the image below for our usual 1,200-pixel wide size, or click on this link for a monster 3,000-pixel wide version that allows you to get up close and personal with the design.
This view is looking west toward the Glass House. The front of the building is facing Wewatta and the long side on the right is along 17th Street. By the way, if you join me for our Union Station walking tour, you can see the site in person.
For all the details on the project, please click here to open a PDF of the official press release from Zocalo. The project architect is John Gagnon of JG Architects, and the rendering was prepared by MBR Studios.
More exciting news for Downtown Denver!
I love what Zocolo does but do they try to have inaccuracies in every rendering for a where’s waldo effect? I know 2020 Lawrence had the phantom park as this one seems to as well. Additionally theirs a chain-link fence between it and one of the big reasons to lease there: the light rail station.
I guess when you are leasing and not selling you can get away with things like that.
Aaron, it’s not Zocalo, but architectural firms in general and the artistic liberties they must take to represent a proposed building at its location, when there may be buildings or other built elements in reality that would block the view of the proposed building.
Thanks for the reply. Maybe I am just being a little hypercritical as this is great news, a great project, and hopefully the first of many news items from the union station neighborhood in the months ahead.
I understand removing a building so you can show the full building. Replacing a building with a faux park/landscaping seems a little dishonest but I have seen worse dishonesty in dealing with marketing people at my company so it’s not the end of the world. Also the fence that won’t be there blocking access to a selling point that will be there seems like bad marketing.
If this is all I have to complain about then I guess it cannot be that bad. I know some may say it’s bland architecture but personally I do not want anything in that neighborhood outshining Union Station.
This is probably the most prime parcel in one of the most exciting transit developments in the entire country and the project is sliding in at a paltry 13 stories?? Current economics aside, Zocalo will be kicking themselves in the future for not going higher and adding more units. Don’t get me wrong, I love the design I’m just a little disappointed. Union Station is one of the few places where a developer could take a chance, get a variance from those ridiculous height restrictions and have gone at least 20 or 30+ stories.
Dave, thanks for your comment. The site has a 140-foot height limit. When the PUD zoning for the Commons (west of DUS) was being debated, the consensus was that this area should not have CBD densities but should be midrises. Most of the area has 140-foot height limits with a few parcels that can go up to 240 feet or so (like Glass House). I suspect there is little political support for changing these limits.
I completely agree with Dave. I think Ken’s reply citing the politics of height are also probably true, but I disagree with those political views as well. This may have some connection with those who successfully sought to preserve a mountain view from Coors Field, and subsequently seriously depressed the property value for the buyer of that light bulb building that is currently the Amtrak station since he could not build as high as desired. When Denver was mulling it’s broad-reaching, city-wide re-zoning project, I had long conversations with the consultant they hired out of Austin. He said Denver’s ‘leaders’ had a perverse and irrational aversion to density, and therefore to building height. He felt that in most proposed high-density residential areas, Denver was under-planning by a factor of at least 2. There is an obvious correlation to height, which is why I agree with Dave. I am a huge fan of the residential density that is developing all around the core city, but I shutter to think that is will end up being a broad expanse of 6 to 15 story buildings, with few if any 30 to 50, even 60, 70, or beyond story buildings. What is it we are afraid of? We are ‘planning’ like we are Fort Collins, not like a real, modern big city.
Ken, do you have any idea whether there will be low-income housing for any of the potential residential buildings behind Union Station?
Good question, Dan. I’m not sure. I know EastWest Partners had a requirement on the Riverfront Park side, but I’m not sure what’s in place for affordable housing on the Union Station side.
Great news! And a very nice looking building as well.
But I have to agree with Aaron. I can understand placing a nice green fake park with mature trees in the foreground and losing all the traffic lights. But why in the world would they separate the building from the LR station with a pug fugly chain link fence? Makes no sense.
Either way, I’m very happy to see the first “real” proposal in the hood.
And here I was thinking the fence should be taller, have razor wire on top, and be electrified…. since it’s just a render, one can imagine whatever they wish.
Why would you wish this?
Here’s what I think happened: that chain link fence currently exists along the back (Chestnut) side of that parcel. They probably took a photo in that direction to serve as the backdrop for the rendering and forgot to Photoshop out the fence from the view. Moving on…
Will the first floor contain retail/restaurant space? Having retail/restaurant space on the first floor is key to keeping the area buzzing with people.
Looks like Chris and the gang from Zocalo have another winner on their hands. I’m anxious to hear what environmentally sound features they will utilize on this building.
The link to the “monster” sized rendering actually gives me a smaller image than the regular rendering.
Then click to zoom. Which browser are you using?
The crappy one that comes on the iPad. It even says that it’s a 750×737 sized image.
This is off the subject, but are they still going to build the bell tower along speer?
Jeff, like any project, the developer responds to the market.
interesting post keep these going. forever and beyond brother! later
Will this project be family-friendly? I don’t see any mention on the PDF, but I may be missing it. Specifically will it include a mix of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments? I remember a story of a Canadian city (Toronto? Montreal?) that mandated a mix of apartment sizes in order to attract families and middle class types downtown that worked really well at ensuring a well-mixed populace that succeeded wildly in activating the core of the city. Thanks…