CU Denver’s City Heights Residence Hall and Learning Commons project is now complete and open at the Auraria Campus. This 182,000 square foot project features 555 beds for student housing, rising seven stories, a 20,000 square foot dining facility, and a three-story Learning Commons wing that will include a variety of student-support and academic-support functions.
Let’s begin the tour of the project starting from the Tivoli Quad, looking towards Downtown Denver. Most of the facade on this side is comprised of brick and fits in with the rest of the Auraria Campus architecture.
As you move around the building, the Learning Commons comes into view.
On the other side of the building, facing the CU Denver Student Commons building, you are greeted with a courtyard wrapped around by the Residence Hall and Learning Commons. You also can walk through the middle of the project to the other side via the courtyard.
What used to be a field is now a nice urban corner on the Auraria Campus. With students now living on campus, it will make this area more lively all days of the week which is a win for Auraria.
| Project Description | Developer | Architect | Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Stories | 555 Beds | 182,000 sq ft | University of Colorado Denver | Stantec | JE Dunn |
I’m sorry but you can’t call a campus greenspace a Quad if it is lined by streets and parking on two sides. A Quad is a quadrangle of pedestrian greenspace lined on all sides with campus buildings, and not cars.
The Auraria Campus master plan identifies building sites on the remaining lots fronting the quad. In time…
But if 11th Street and Walnut Street remain, and continue to include vehicular traffic and parking, it’s technically not a Quad, its a nice green plaza, lined by cars of two sides, even if it has nice campus buildings. I doubt they plan to close these streets.
“Learning Commons?”
I get that some Universities use that term to be all modern. What is wrong with “library” and just update its services? Why be so pretentious? If an institution wants to label a place where students get extra help then call it what it is: Academic Support Services. Calling it the ‘Commons’ is as pathetic as Quad without the Quad. I suppose a learning commons is a place where all students can go to learn; maybe with a side of hamburger and beer. There are many places in which to learn. Why does it have to be common? To level the playing field?
Look, I’ve taught modern undergrads. UCD is the only Auraria institution to have a “Learning Commons” building.
Did you teach at Metro or CCD? I can’t fathom why building names or titles would leave you so upset lol
This new building looks like it was built in the 80s. Maybe that was the intent to blend with the other campus buildings, but I can’t say that I’m really a fan.