Back in February, when we last visited the South Lincoln Redevelopment, most of the buildings for the first three phases were still under-construction and major street-scape work had not yet started. Now, six months later, we are finally starting to see how this redevelopment is taking form. Just like the last update, I am going to be using maps to navigate you around this project. Let’s begin!
Just up the street from the 10th and Osage light rail station, and just behind the Buckhorn Exchange, a new building named The Mariposa is complete and residents have already moved in!
This building, rising 4-stories, has a giant metal flower structure in its front plaza area and solar panels on its side giving this building a very unique look; perhaps the most unique out of all the phases so far. You can clearly tell huge improvements have been made to the sidewalks complete with bulb-outs, improved street lights, and soon to be trees and planters.
Parking is in the rear of the building and is covered up along the sidewalk. There will be a future phase going in behind this building creating an alley but we’ll get to that later.
Next up, we are heading across the street to the south side of 10th Avenue along Navajo.
This multicolored 4-story building is much larger and is a half a block long. Construction for this phase should be wrapping up very soon.
Directly east of this building, another lot has been cleared and construction for another phase has commenced.
Last but not least, let’s head over to phase III. This is the largest of all the buildings in the first three phases.
There is a pattern between all the phases, they all are 4-story buildings yet each building is unique in shape, color scheme, and facade.
Somewhat kitty corner to phase III, another huge site has been cleared for another future phase which is outlined here.
And a picture of the site which sits right behind 1099 Osage.
The South Lincoln Redevelopment will have a total of six phases. One phase is complete, two are very close to completion, and site preparations have begun for two more phases. This is a huge project! Residents in these buildings will also have quick access to the 10th and Osage light rail station which has been a very underutilized station in years past.
This redevelopment is happening at a much quicker pace than I thought it would. I really like the bright colors but I’m sure you will get the comments this isn’t Miami. No law stucco has to be beige.
DHA rocks. That giant flower is awesome. Can’t say the multicolors are to my taste, but it’s nice. This redevelopment is impressive.
Denver has been so lucky to have the dollars made available for this. I’ll assume they have a heads up for the next phase and that passage of the Continuing Resolution in September will bring good tidings.
The plants and trees were actually planted just yesterday.
I go to this light rail station everyday and it’s been a pleasure watching this project develop. This is really going to bring life to this area and possibly make it a destination. But besides the Buckhorn there isn’t anything within a few blocks that you want to go to, with the exception of the park.
This station is very underutilized, especially considering that it’s the last station to switch to other lines. Not having parking is probably a big reason for this bit not having bus service has to hurt as well. Another issue is that there’s no real bike route to it from the East. 11th is the only street can really get here (12th and 10th dead end around Speer) but 11th has two Eastbound lanes from Speer to Grant and a large Median from Logan to Ogden, removing that lane and median would allow us to have dedicated bike lane in each direction. I really think this would increase the use of the station, it’s the closest station to Capitol Hill after all.
I walk by this redevelopment on my way to the train everyday and I was wondering when we would see another update.
I love the vivid colors, this fits well with the La Alma rec center directly to the north and the art district directly to the east (and a few of the homes in between). Just in the last week they have begun excavating for phase 4 (s lot from phase 3) and filled in almost all of the planters.
One last note, this needs to be added to the project map, 1099 Osage is listed as a completed project but not Mariposa.
I like it. I think the bright colors are pretty rad. It’s nice to see some investment in this area. I think the artwork and street trees are particularly important. They will add lasting character.
My only hesitation is this: I understand reds and oranges are the worst color choices for our region because they do not stand up to the UV rays. You ever notice how buildings painted in shades of red look faded and dingy faster than others? I think 4550 Cherry Creek Drive was a good example until they repainted blue/gray a couple years ago.
I agree: reds and oranges (not to mention blues, purples, and grays) don’t hold up well at 5280 feet above sea level, thanks to the extra UV we get. Another example: Highlands Garden Village, the final phase of the old Elitch Gardens redevelopment on W. 38th between Tennyson and Wolff. The Sprouts and the 24 Hour Fitness, both completed in 2007, are pastel versions of their former selves.
Thanks, Ryan. This is an excellent update. I especially appreciate the maps for navigation.
Love the colors!!!! And very cool to see how fast it’s rising. Nothing but good here so far!
The only problem I have with this (besides the cheap look) is the scale of the project in all its 6 phases. They’re basically building an entire neighborhood here. One or two Miami buildings is fine with me (I’m actually surprised there’s not an onslaught of complaints about the Miami thing; I actually thought I’d have to come in here and DEFEND the buildings to some extent) because I really do like some diversity. But an entire NEIGHBORHOOD of Miami buildings?
You’re cruising along through a Denver neighborhood. You cross a certain street and all the sudden you’re entering Miami. Then four blocks later it abruptly turns back into Denver again. It’s just odd.
Anyway, overall I’m just happy to see some TOD/infill.
I like the colors. I think I will like them as they fade to pastel, too. If reds, oranges, blues, purples and grays all fade with UV, that just leave yellows, greens, whites and browns.
I like the idea of a development that looks unique rather than exactly like everything that is already there. Nice!
For anyone who would like to have a better understanding on how the design of the building evolved, take a trip over to the DHA website. Specifically the documents under the heading “Mariposa Public Input and Information”.
The main site:
http://www.denverhousing.org/development/SouthLincoln/Pages/default.aspx
Community meeting(s) and outreach:
http://www.denverhousing.org/development/SouthLincoln/Documents/Community%20Meeting%205%20(9.22.11).pdf
http://www.denverhousing.org/development/SouthLincoln/Documents/Community_Outreach_Summary_Final_Phase_2.pdf