Construction on CU Denver’s Wellness Center at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Auraria Parkway is mostly finished, so let’s take a final look at this new Auraria campus building.

The Wellness Center was approved by the university in 2015 after CU Denver students overwhelmingly voted for a fee increase to help pay for the building. The $42 million project encompasses 85,000 square feet and includes weight and fitness studios, basketball courts, a wellness and information center, training and assessment rooms, social lounge, locker rooms, a multi-activity court, and a six-lane indoor swimming pool.

Architecturally, the building’s most prominent feature is the glass-enclosed three-story rock climbing wall that anchors the Speer Boulevard/Auraria Parkway corner.

CU Denver Wellness Center at Speer and Auraria Parkway
CU Denver Wellness Center's climbing wall at Speer and Auraria Parkway
CU Denver Wellness Center at Auraria Parkway at 12th Street

Situated between the CU Denver Student Commons building and the SpringHill Suites Hotel/MSU Hospitality Learning Center (both constructed within the past five years or so), the new CU Denver Wellness Center represents another step in the process of creating an urban edge to the campus, a key component of both the Downtown Area Plan and the Auraria Campus Master Plan. Doing so brings the campus and downtown closer together—both physically and perceptually—to the benefit of pedestrians. Additionally, the reconstruction of the Larimer Street bridge over Cherry Creek, part of the 2017 GO Bonds approved by Denver voters, will aid in connecting the campus with downtown through wider sidewalks and other pedestrian and bicycle amenities.

CU Denver Wellness Center along Speer Boulevard
CU Denver Wellness Center along Speer Boulevard

The CU Denver Wellness Center also adds to the street wall along Auraria Parkway.

CU Denver Wellness Center at Auraria Parkway and 12th Street
Auraria Parkway side of the CU Denver Wellness Center

On the campus side of the building, the CU Denver Wellness Centers offers a welcoming glass-walled entry and pedestrian plaza.

CU Denver Wellness Center main entry along 12th Street on the Auraria campus
CU Denver Wellness Center entry plaza along 12th Street on the Auraria campus
CU Denver Wellness Center entry plaza along 12th Street on the Auraria campus

Here’s a final view of the new CU Denver Wellness Center from the CU Denver building at 14th and Larimer, home to the College of Architecture and Planning, where I work.

View of the CU Denver Wellness Center from 14th and Larimer

The new CU Denver Wellness Center is getting its finishing touches and will be ready for students this coming fall semester. Another nice addition to downtown’s Auraria campus!