Tennessee-based Southern Land Company has started site preparation for its first Denver project, a 302-unit apartment community located at the corner of 18th and Central in popular Lower Highland. Since the mid-1980s, the site was the headquarters for Mile High United Way, which moved last September to a brand new facility on Park Avenue in Curtis Park. Southern Land purchased the property from Mile High United Way in the spring of 2013 and arranged for United Way to stay in the building while their new headquarters was under construction. The L-shaped development site is outlined on this Google Earth aerial:

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Over the past few weeks, the 1970s-era concrete-block building and surface parking lots have been undergoing demolition:

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The new apartment project will feature two five-story buildings: one occupying the half block facing 18th Street between Central and Boulder, and the other located on a parcel on Boulder Street next to Highland Gateway Park and behind Prost Brewing Company. Here are two drawings, courtesy of Southern Land Company, showing the preliminary design concept:

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Although the project’s details are still being finalized and may change, the development is envisioned to include approximately 330 spaces in underground structured parking, bicycle storage, a resort-style pool, rooftop decks, fire pits, and a high-end fitness center. Also proposed is approximately 9,400 square feet of restaurant and retail space facing Central Street. Here is the retail streetscape concept plan for along Central:

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Finally, here’s a preliminary glimpse of the design from project architect EVstudio:

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The 18th and Central Apartments project is planned for completion in 2016.