Less than a week after we provided an update on 19th and Chestnut, construction kicked off for this 13-story project in Union Station. Present-day, a fence now wraps around the project site with site prep underway. Since there will be minimal underground work, this building will be anchored by several dozen piers which are currently being drilled by the blue pier drilling rig.
Here are some photos around the site showing the current progress of the project.
The last remaining parcels for development in Union Station sit at 19th and Chestnut. This project will take the back-most lot which will add some great density to the north side of 19th Street. This leaves the gravel lot at the intersection as the last parcel of land to be developed.
Speaking of that last gravel lot, Union Station deserves a great “last” project. Wouldn’t it be neat if this lot got rezoned to 30 stories and a Confluence-sized tower, or point tower was built? Regardless, it’s very exciting to see 19th and Chestnut get underway.
I second the point tower on the last lot. Doubt that it would happen but it would be great
Ryan why can’t they build a slender building on the land just south of the Pullman on the other side of Wewatta?
Best guess would be RTD / Denver Transit Partners owns that land and uses it for rail maintenance vehicles, electric boxes, etc.
It’s a shame because that lot sure is ugly, especially with the steam plant across the street. Gives weirdly industrial/unfinished feel to the neighborhood.
I think a building there would be a mistake – the “throat tracks” of Union Station are already at capacity. Building the B-line to 15-minute frequency would require reconfiguring or adding more track.
That’s preposterous. One hundred percent agree with Nick/Mark. That land that looks terrible and seems dangerous to pedestrians.
Yes, it’s preposterous, but it’s true. Union Station was VE’d to the point that it does not have capacity for the full Fastracks buildout at 15-minute frequency, even without considering any spare capacity for additional commuter rail lines to the north.
From RTD’s 2014 Northwest Area Mobility Study regarding the B-Line: “The track throat at DUS and single track portion of NW Rail between Pecos and 71st and Lowell Stations would limit headways to not fewer than 30 minutes.” This frequency reduction caused the modeled reduction in ridership which pushed the B-line below the threshold for federal funding.
Our rail system will be forever limited by decisions made regarding Union Station during the depth of the recession unless we consider extreme measures like a viaduct above Wewatta street or a underground mined station like the East Side Access in NYC. These decisions were made under extreme pressure to build something for the money that was available but kicked the can down the road if we want to convert our frankenstein rail mess into a real regional rail.
They can’t build higher than 8 stories on the 20th and Chestnut lot as it would block mtn views from Coors Field. That’s protected per agreement when Coors Field wss built. This came up last year and half when they were trying to build a hotel in that lot
I could be wrong but based on the diagram of the course field view plane, I don’t think it encompasses that lot
What about all the electrical items next to this development? What are they, and how might they affect how many would want to buy/rent from this?
It’s a power substation. I live across the street from it and it’s just kind of there. It doesn’t make any noise and is mostly peaceful in terms of maintenance, etc. It would be nice if they walled it off eventually.
Ryan, there you go again! You must really like to spend other peoples money! The power substation was there before all the buildings so why should they pay to put up a fence to help with your sensitive view? Cap I25, put up walls/fences, etc. Man, you are something else!
So what about the other substations around downtown / core neighborhoods that are walled in for the sake of general safety? Cities change and you are clearly one that likes to be grumpy about anything that would change and perhaps *gasp* use public funds. I would gladly pay a little more on my power bill to ensure the safety of that lot and the surrounding buildings.
IIRC, the substation was constructed in 2001/02 as Riverfront Park was starting construction so it was built when everyone knew that the area was going to become an extension of downtown and would be filled with buildings. This is not a case of the steam plant that was there decades before when the neighborhood was still an industrial area, the substation was constructed knowing that area would be a dense urban neighborhood and the exterior perimeter should reflect this. Hell, Xcel already struck out when the expanded the Steam Plant and interpreted their internal study’s recommendation that the exterior skin be upgraded to reflect the neighborhood as meaning a new coat of paint so they need to make amends. A treatment similar to the Hiawatha Substation in Minneapolis would be appropriate (https://www.aia-mn.org/xcel-energy-substation-enclosures/) and would reflect the modern landmarks of the Union Station neighborhood (the Train Shed and the Millennium Bridge)
When will Denver catch up with Seattle, WA with at least one super tall? Both cities are similar in population. What happened to the River Mile project and the 81 story tower to be built in central downtown? Denver has not built anything taller since Republic Plaza was built in the early 1980s. I understand that downtown Denver has no height limitations since Stapleton’s demolition. And WOW! Charlotte NC has the most beautiful and majestic super tall tower in the US…a jewel!! Denver should take some cues from the architect!!! PS. Does Denver have something against lighted crowns on their buildings? Come on Denver, make a statement! Come out of the 1980s with something super tall, grand and iconic!!!!