Another six months has gone by so let’s take another look to see where we stand with Denver’s 3D Future Skyline! Since our last update, Google updated their several-year-old 3D imagery to May of 2017. This allows us to view many projects in their completed or under-construction states as opposed to our general massing representations.
As a reminder, the buildings have been color-coded to match our DenverInfill Project Map, where yellow is residential, orange is office, red is hotel, and blue is civic/other. Mixed-use is indicated by combinations of these colors. Completed buildings for which Google has not yet added their own models are colored gray.
Let’s start off with a look at downtown. In these images you can see several completed projects, including the Quincy Apartments, 1144 Fifteenth Street, The Dairy Block, Le Meriden/AC Hotel, and some multifamily projects on the Welton Corridor. In the newly proposed category, Two Tabor and Kenect towers would be prominent additions to Denver’s skyline. Kenect in particular would add substantial height to Arapahoe Square and extend the downtown skyline to the northeast. Also you can see in the first image, Elitch Gardens, the Pepsi Center, and their associated parking lots. City Council recently approved an amendment to the Downtown Area Plan that will guide the proposed River Mile project as it totally transforms this parking wasteland into a high-density extension of downtown. We look forward to covering the projects to be built here as they are announced:
Next up is the Union Station neighborhood and LoHi. As you can see, Google has rendered nearly all of the completed projects at Union Station and many in LoHi. Due to its height and relative isolation from other tall buildings, the Confluence apartment tower is the most visually prominent:
Next let’s have a look at the Golden Triangle and RiNo areas. Not much has changed when it comes to proposed projects in the Golden Triangle and most of our models here are currently under construction. The completed Eviva Cherokee apartments in the center of the image has made a major impact on this neighborhood. In RiNo, many projects have been completed and the neighborhood is quickly moving from industrial to mixed use:
Last up is south of Downtown and Cherry Creek. Google captured the topped out Country Club Towers while they were under construction but now they are complete. As the tallest buildings outside of the central business district, they can be clearly seen from all across the city. To the west, two major apartment buildings have been proposed: one on Broadway and another at the old Kmart near the Alameda light rail station. The latter represents the beginning of a complete transformation of this suburban big box shopping center into a new mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood.
The transformation of Cherry Creek into a high-density neighborhood is also clear. A great deal of densification has already occurred and more is on the way:
That wraps up this edition of the Denver 3D Future Skyline. Our next update will be coming this Winter!
Why are you still even touting 650 17th after it’s been reported multiple times that it isn’t moving forward?
Good question. To clarify, what was recently reported was that the developer failed to close on the land when the closing date arrived. Their development application, however, was still filed with the city and it is still in active status. It is not uncommon for a developer to move forward with a development application with the city without owning the land (usually they’ll have an option on the land) and then close on the property only when they have their project approved with the city. That way they don’t own land they can’t use as they desire. The developer of 650 17th has not stated the project is dead and there’s also the possibility that the developer could sell their development scheme to a different developer who could take it forward. Anyway, for these reasons, we’re leaving the project “on the books” at DenverInfill for now.
Ken,
I do think you should drop 1901 Arapahoe from your projects list. This one will never happen.
On a related note, how about another “Top 10 lots needing development”, with a background on their current status. I think you did this several years ago and it was quite interesting.
Among many sites I am curious about is the block across from the main entrance to Coors Field on Blake Street. How can such a great location just continue to sit there undeveloped?
Also, are there plans to demolish the former Excel Energy shell building on that block?
As you may know, we started a new project tally at the start of the decade (January 2010), whereas the original DenverInfill website tracked 2000 – 2009. What we are planning on doing is starting a fresh tracking list in 2020. So projects like 1901 Arapahoe (and 650 17th Street) that don’t appear to be an “active proposal” by the time we do our first development summary in June 2020 will get dropped.
Regarding the “Top 10” list, that’s a great idea and something I was thinking about recently too. I think we will do that.
I too have wondered why a site across from the entrance to Coors Field could sit empty for so long. Clearly an unmotivated property owner who for some reason doesn’t want to sell or develop. I’m not sure what’s going on with the old Xcel Energy building. Despite the huge number of infill projects, there are still so many sites to go!
Ken & GC – The site across from the entrance of Coors Field is still in use by Xcel Energy. The brick walls are just sham walls and there is actually no roof because it’s a sub station, which provides power for a large chunk of downtown. The Rockies have inquired purchasing the land, but it would require Xcel moving the sub station to another location and I don’t think it makes sense for them to move it at this time.
I don’t think that’s the case anymore. Because there’s no roof, Google Earth imagery shows what’s inside the walls and it looks empty. Maybe someone from Xcel can clarify?
I’ve walked by the building before multiple times while Xcel energy employees are inside. Looking more closely it looks to be somewhat of a work shop with half the building being roofed while the other side sitting empty, besides when the park larger Xcel work trucks there. During big games and events they turn the gravel lot into parking.
No, this is still the case. I do work for Xcel Energy on the power side, so I can confirm there is a substation there and we also use some of it for storage.
Great! Thanks for the info.
Agree with GC: it would be interesting to see and compare the top 10 lots needing development with the list that was floating around 10 years ago. 18th and Market would be on the top of my wish list; especially since both sides of the street are barren.
Someone who works at the Cherry Creek Mall said that the former Bed, Bath and Beyond will be torn down and a large apartment building will go in its place.
Golden Triangle should have a few more 17 story tower proposals added soon. One at 12th & Acoma, one at 10th & Acoma and one at 10th & Bannock. Along with an 8 story office building proposal also at 10th & Bannock (directly north of the Parc on Speer tower).
Looking at the Union Station picture… does the Davita HQ parking garage have support for a tower on top?
If you are referring to the parking garage behind 1900 16th Street that parallels 15th Street, yes, the development plan allows for several floors of residential on top.
Would the El Jebel tower be considered an active proposal? It shows up on Denver’s major projects spreadsheet. Didn’t they submit the concept plan a few months ago? That has been an interesting project to try to get a read on.
I think the tower is currently conceptual, though @Ken Schroeppel may know more. The proposal from last year was more about rezoning Sherman Street so that future development may be possible.
https://crej.com/news/sherman-street-rezoning-proposed/
Personally, I would really like to see this plan (including the tower) to come to fruition.
The El Jebel tower is one that we are tracking. A new development app was filed with the city this year so it is definitely a “fresh” proposal but we haven’t blogged on it yet as we don’t know much else. Typically, we wait until a rendering and a few more specifics are known before doing a New Project post. Stay tuned!
Anyone have any information on what is going on in Jefferson Park with the former La Loma site? there’s been a tower crane stored there for months but no movement.