Today you get two posts in one day from your friendly DenverInfill contributor. Since November 4th, I have had ‘The Rossonian’ sitting in my drafts waiting for final renderings and details. Seven months later, we can finally announce the project here on DenverInfill, with credible details!
Located at 2650 Welton Street, there is a bold vision to redevelop the site around the Rossonian Hotel while incorporating the original structure, built in 1912. According to the Five Points Business District, Tim Walsh of Confluence Companies announced the project specifications back in April. This development will feature 105 guestrooms, two resturants, a jazz club, fitness center, 60,000 square feet of collaborative office space, and 152 public parking spaces. Below is a rendering of The Rossonian project, courtsey of the Five Points Business District.
Here are some front and back photos of The Rossonian site. Some demolition will be needed to make way for the 8-story structure behind the 3-story historic hotel.
When I took these pictures back in October, fall-time was in peak and Denver was truly shining that day. Here is a bonus picture with all things city-like: trains, great urban fabric, and skyscrapers.
A construction timeline has yet to be announced but the ball is rolling as companies are lined up to make this project happen. We will keep you updated as we get more details!
So are they going to tear down the rest of the buildings on this block to make this happen?
Yes. Some demolition is required for this project.
My concern is that by tearing down these smaller buildings, we are removing places for small businesses, non-chain restaurants, etc. We also loose some detailed character in our buildings. I’m in favor of development, but I’m also in favor of some range in the scale of business spaces, from small to large.
In some ways Denver’s evolution was interrupted from out of the flow of the natural evolution of a city by the planning policies and white flight of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. In that natural evolution, a larger building, perhaps similar to the one proposed, might have already replaced these smaller buildings, but those would have been displaced or built in the neighborhoods a little further out from the center. Density would spread. However, I agree with you that it is really important to have a full range of businesses including different types (not all restaurants) in all neighborhoods as much as possible.
Have you ever been on Welton St. in Five Points? There are plenty of space for small businesses. Also it is a fairly vacuous statement to think that only chain restaurants will be able to afford the restaurant space in the new building. There are examples of non-chain restaurants occupying high-rent downtown space. Lastly, the size of the retails pads has not been announce so out of curiosity how do you know the building does not have spaces that can fit both large and small businesses?
Will, is that the way you talk to people? My observation is that the bigger the development, the less likely it is to be filled by locally owned businesses. Are there exceptions? Yes. Are there small vacant storefronts in this part of town? Also, yes. I think they would be filled if we had infill on the vacant lots (not taking down existing small buildings. Business would attract business. You might disagree, but I don’t think these observations are vacuous. Sincerely, Jeffrey
Frankly, I think the small businesses in the area need “anchor tenants” such as this building. I’m pretty sure the existing enterprises in the area are ecstatic.
Welton will be a completely different street in the next couple of years. Frankly, I’m thrilled! Bring on the density (and vibrancy, businesses, and new neighbors/visitors).
You are so right, Daniel! Ryan’s last photo sums up more than a hundred years of history, in this same spot. And here comes the streetcar, again! Mountains, skyscrapers and streetcars, postcard images of our Mile High City.
While it is very exciting that the Rossonian will become a hotel once again, the design of the modern addition seems rather unfortunate. The lower brick facades – clearly attempting to relate to the historic structure in scale and context – are completely consumed by the random assortment of glass and gray boxes in the upper stories. The overall design looks like it is unsure of itself, unsure of its identity and the historic significance of the Rossonian. The independent, lively spirit of the jazz scene that once took place here has been replaced with an building that looks corporate, generic, and poorly designed.
When I took a more detailed glance at the rendering, I noticed the upper floors are set back after four-stories. Obviously you’ll see the whole structure when you are standing across the street, but the street-level should still be quite nice. Here’s an example from a residential project that finished in Cheeseman Park (The Amaranth):
Across the street:
Street Level:
Great photos as always! And I understand the general massing and design intent, but the issue I take is with the design of the setback itself. The Amaranth’s setback is simple and tries to minimize its impact on the overall design of the building and streetscape. At the Rossonian, however, the setback looks like a random assortment of blocks for no apparent reason. It looks like it’s trying too hard to break from the rest of the building, and it falls on its face in the process. The mishmash of transparent curtain wall with gray stucco massing conflicts too much with the street-level design, as if one architect designed the lower levels and another designed the top without cooperation or harmony. I do hope that the design goes through refinement to make the building look cohesive and help establish a good design precedent for Five Points.
These are old renderings. Since this is in a Landmarked Historic district, it was reviewed by Landmark Preservation Commission for mass and scale. The top has been greatly simplified. Gone are the floating top and random setbacks and pop out. It now steps back at 4th & 8th floors with a simplified and rhythmic facade. The 8th floor acts as finished top of the building rather than just the end of the building. It is much better now.
That’s okay, it’ll look completely different after the wealthy people who moved to the neighborhood last week mobilize against an 8-story “high rise” that’ll ruin the (yoga-and-dog-spa-loving?) character of Welton Street that they’ve all grown to know and love.
Ah how things have changed. When I first lived proximal to the neighborhood, instead of people mobilizing against a 8-story “high rise”, they would mobilize against the 8 bodies that surfaced that month. Density or death….I think I’ll take the former thank you.
I guess as long as the “body” isn’t someone you know.
It is great that the Rossonian building will be utilized. It is too bad that they are displacing existing businesses to do it: the Public Realty folks with their newly refurbished historic neon sign and the Taste of Haiti in the historic “Ethel’s House of Soul” building. Oh well, maybe we’ll get a Noodles & Company. People really seem to love their “could be anywhere” generic architecture. Gentrification is a double edged sword.
Yes, because Rino and Five Points are filled with chain restaurants. Affluent yuppy hipsters love chain restaurants.
For those of you interested, Westword did a profile on the history of this building back in January. Here’s the link to the article: http://www.westword.com/news/with-developers-jazzed-about-five-points-the-rossonian-hotel-could-soon-be-hopping-again-6279485
Is this really going to come to pass? Odds – 50/50 or better? Seems like the plans have been in place for a long time now.
This is going to happen. But these plans are not final. Landmarking has approved mass and scale but not design. So 8 stories is going to happen. Eight stories was what was in the neighborhood plan that was completed with input from community members.
All the property owners that are having their building demolished were actually given shares in the new project. The developers wanted them as partners. I’m sure they don’t have a lot of power, but they are still invested in it.
Most everyone I’ve spoken to, including residents and old timers are excited about bringing life to this street.
I cannot wait. A great blend of history and the future! Can’t wait for this and the other developments to fill in the block!
Anyone know where the current residents and business owners are going once they get priced out of their own community?
Commerce City…Arvada…North Aurora?
I’m not too sure that Arvada belongs on that list.
There are no residents. As for the business owners, since some of them owned the buildings that are being demolished, my guess is that they are going to go to the bank with a big check. The 3 tenants will move to wherever they feel is the best place for their business.
I still can’t believe that demolition is so highly advocated and practiced in Denver. This is not infill (except for the infilling of landfills). The buildings slated to be torn down here may not be exceptional architecturally or historically like the Rossonian, but they are a few cool old buildings that could be really interesting if remodeled or something. Why not build the new building around the existing buildings and integrate them into the new building as well as the Rossonian? I’m just confused as to why we tear down all the buildings with character in this city and put up all these bland buildings. Who wants to go eat on a generic patio at a restaurant in some bland building that could be anywhere? Some of my favorite places to go eat and drink are in renovated buildings built a century ago. Welton Street is about to lose all its character if boring generic buildings like this replace the old existing buildings that could become something great someday.
Of course this is infill — seven additional stories of it!
You can’t be so precious about such insignificant structures when it comes to proper city planning. This building is going to elevate the entire street in such a way its previous occupants would never be able to.
Businesses on Welton can’t last when Cervantes is the major attraction.
Welton is protected under a cultural historic district and, as such, building cannot be just torn down without review. Furthermore, any new building must also be approved for design. Those smaller buildings that will be torn down are either too new (1950’s, 1960’s) or were determined not to be ‘historically significant.’ I agree with you that a lot of the new buildings are not that architecturally attractive and that historic buildings should be preserved as much as possible. However, while more buildings should have been protected during the 70’s, it is not practical nor feasible today to protect every single building that was built before 1950. Better design should be emphasized.
Better design should be just that: better. It’s one thing to tear down buildings for something significantly better. But when buildings are torn down to put up a new building with no character I cannot call that better design. Better design would be innovative, not just the quick, cheap, and boring buildings going up around Denver right now. And innovative would be building around what is existing, filling in surface parking lots and dead space, and incorporating the buildings they decided not to tear down. The result could be stunning. And the design, I would argue, would be the better design you advocate for.
Can’t good design also be a building that maximizes the property? There are too many amateur architecture critics in the world. Not every building needs to be a work of art. Some of them merely need to provide their intended function.
And frankly, as a resident of this neighborhood, I think nearly all of the newer buildings not only look better, but better serve the area.
Height and square footage are not all that can maximize a property. And I by no means am advocating against height or square footage. But in 50 years when we look back at this time, I think we may mourn the loss of some of these almost hundred year old buildings made of brick. Particularly when comparing what is lost to the boring boxy buildings being built right now. History is repeating itself. Except this time, instead of iconic buildings like The Tabor Opera House and The Postal Annex being torn down, or the attempted demolition of the Lower Downtown area (which contains many “insignificant” buildings, as was argued in the ’70s; though I think we can all agree saving LoDo from the wrecking ball has been nothing but worthwhile), the target now has become any old building deemed historically insignificant where demolition can help turn a tidy profit. What would Denver be without the old brick buildings scattered about the city? A collection of cheap, boxy buildings built in the in the 2010’s? In 50 years, that is not the Denver I want to look back on.
Tyler, Based on the photos in this article, the handful of 1- and 2-story buildings being torn down really aren’t anything to write home about. If the architectural character is the reason you think they are worth retaining, I would think you might want to find a different argument. They’re what some people call “scrape aways.” It’s a place holder until a larger more productive building comes along. As for the new architectural character. I really don’t mind it. Don’t love it, but don’t hate it either. Besides with the brick on the lower levels, I think it will make the streetscape quite a bit better than it is now. I just don’t like that glass connecting piece. Feels very 1980’s to me.
I will agree, the one story buildings are nothing special. However, I find the 2 and 3 story buildings quite charming. But the fact of the matter is that demolishing buildings of any sort is not an environmentally sound practice. Reuse what we have.
The most up to date design can be found on the Landmark Preservation Commission website. It will be under the June 2 Agenda. A lot of the complaints of the design look to have been addressed and it should be noted that any concerns about casting long shadows on the smaller homes to the southeast are unfounded. The design of the building steps inward away from the alley.
http://www.denvergov.org/cpd/CommunityPlanningandDevelopment/LandmarkPreservation/LandmarkPreservationCommission/tabid/433592/Default.aspx