Denver Development News

[TonyAnderson]

Always nice to see some Denver updates.

[_tictac_]

Awesome. Looking forward to seeing Four Seasons later this year.

[desertpunk]

From the Denver Post: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15625013

Calatrava unveils DIA plans
By Jeffrey Leib
The Denver Post

Posted: 07/29/2010

Spanish architect, artist and engineer Santiago Calatrava today presented his designs for Denver International Airport's south terminal development project. Calatrava said his designs for the first phase of Denver International Airport's south terminal redevelopment will complement the airport's best-known architectural element — its terminal with the white-tented roof.

The DIA tent delivers an important image all over the world, Calatrava said, adding that he was conscious of preserving and protecting the airport's existing architecture and view corridors as he designed the south terminal complex. "We have given our best to create a dialogue between the two buildings in a complementary basis to respect the iconic view of the tent," Calatrava said of the interplay between his structures and the existing terminal, which was designed by Denver architect Curt Fentress.

The south terminal project's first phase, which is expected to cost as much as $650 million, includes a commuter-rail station, a public plaza that links with the existing terminal, and a 500-room Westin hotel. Calatrava said the way the plaza's canopy enters the area under the terminal tent "without touching it is a real declaration of respect" for Fentress' design. On Thursday, Fentress' office said he had no comment at this time on Calatrava's designs.

DIA manager Kim Day said the airport later will consider a second phase of the south terminal project, costing up to $250 million, that could include a reshuffling of existing functions in the terminal's Great Hall, including a move of security checkpoints to new locations on the sixth level where airline ticket counters currently reside.

On Thursday, Calatrava met with local government and business leaders and he used pencil and water colors to sketch the inspiration for his designs. "The tipping point for this project is having incredible functionality with great design," said Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau President Richard Scharf, after seeing Calatrava's presentation.

Ever sensitive

Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava showed off his designs for DIA's south terminal makeover on Thursday. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)to the budget crisis gripping Denver and other local governments, DIA's Day told the gathering that "no general fund money or city tax dollars will be used on this project." She said the airport will develop a plan of finance to pay for the project's first phase and take it to the Denver City Council by early fall.

Airlines at DIA have expressed some concern in the past about possible excessive spending on capital projects by the airport that could drive up the carriers' rates and charges. "We assure the airlines that we will not do anything that negatively impacts our airline partners," Day said.

After viewing Calatrava's presentation, Southwest Airlines Properties Manager Steve Hubbell said, "We obviously are very concerned about the potential costs of these projects." "We need to have a better understanding of how this is going to impact the rates and charges," Hubbell said, adding that DIA "is working with the airlines" to determine the project's financial implications. "They are being transparent; they are being collaborative," Hubbell said of DIA officials.

Day said the south terminal project includes at least 100,000 square feet of retail and other concession space that — along with the hotel — will generate revenue and help offset the cost of the project. Calatrava's design calls for the hotel-train station-plaza complex to dominate the view of the terminal from the south, but those traveling to DIA will retain a view of the terminal tent through a low, saddle-like space between the hotel's twin towers.

The south terminal project also includes a commuter-rail bridge over Peña Boulevard just east of the E-470 interchange that will accommodate the $1.2 billion East Corridor train from Union Station to the airport. Train service is expected to start in 2016. An animation prepared by Calatrava's firm shows the commuter-rail bridge as a graceful, cable-supported arc that will serve as a gateway for travelers driving to the airport.

DIA still must determine if it can afford the Calatrava-designed commuter-rail bridge. The airport has proposed "enhancing" RTD's design for the bridge and paying the difference between the "base price" the Regional Transportation District will budget for the bridge and what it would cost to build it according to Calatrava's design.



RTD recently selected a consortium of private companies to build the East Corridor train under a public-private partnership. On Aug. 12, RTD and the firms will be able to identify the amount of money they have for the rail bridge after they complete financial terms of the public-private partnership, said RTD spokeswoman Pauletta Tonilas.

DIA will have until Jan. 31 to decide whether it can afford to pay the difference between the base price for the bridge and the amount needed to realize Calatrava's design, said Day, DIA's manager. When an early Calatrava design came in around $60 million, airport officials said they could not afford that price.

The 59-year-old Calatrava, whose specializes in the design of bridges and train stations, is one of the most prolific engineer-architect-designers in the world. He has designed the new World Trade Center transportation station in New York City where the twin trade towers stood before the 9/11 attacks. He also has designed train stations in Liege, Belgium and Lyon, France, among other locations, and numerous bridges around the world, including spans in Buenos Aires; Jerusalem; Seville, Spain; and Orleans, France

[Jim856796]

The Colorado State Judicial Centre was imploded on August 15 to make way for the new Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Centre.

[Mplsuptown]

Your trees have lost their leaves already? I know stupid question. I just never realized though or thought about the fact you're in a higher altitude you'd lose your tree leaves so early. Still green here, just starting to change.

[TonyAnderson]

I'm sure that picture isn't recent. The leaves are still on all the trees. (It's not Alaska)

So is that building before demolition, or after? I think they've already taken it apart, no?

[jimmialli]

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

I'm sure that picture isn't recent. The leaves are still on all the trees. (It's not Alaska)

So is that building before demolition, or after? I think they've already taken it apart, no?

I may be dense - but if it was after demolition then there would be no building??

[TonyAnderson]

I'm asking if that's the old building, or the new one.

[Chadoh25]

I really like Denver. I remember going there a few times when my dad was at Ft. Carson and we lived in Colorado Springs! Can someone post the designs for the new Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Centre?

[diablo234]

Renderings of the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Centre from DenverInfill.

[jimmialli]

Originally Posted by TonyAnderson

I'm asking if that's the old building, or the new one.

So sorry - I guess by now you know that it was the old.

[richardsonhomebuyers]

I like the look of the Calatrava terminal at DIA.

[desertpunk]

From: http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/a...al_real_estate

Wednesday, October 13, 2010, 11:14am MDT
Denver named a top real estate market to watch
Denver Business Journal

Metro Denver is named one of the country’s top 10 markets to watch in the “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2011” study, released Wednesday.

In its 32nd year, the commercial real estate study is compiled by the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP financial services firm and the Urban Land Institute.

“Denver demonstrates 21st-century growth by strengthening its downtown core through a new light rail and railroad hub to serve surrounding suburbs,” the study said, referring to the redevelopment of Union Station now under way.

The other markets in the top 10 to watch are Washington, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego and Dallas.

The “Emerging Trends” study is based on surveys of more than 1,000 commercial real estate experts, including investors, developers, lenders and brokers.

Looking at the United States as a whole, the study found “hopeful signs of tempered commercial real estate market improvements” for next year. Commercial properties include office, industrial, retail and apartment buildings.

Survey respondents expect high-single-digit returns for high-quality, core assets, according to the study. They think lenders with strengthening balance sheets finally will step up foreclosure activity and property sales in 2011 and 2012. Stronger real estate lenders also are expected to increase lending next year.

Property owners whose buildings have high vacancies and lower rents may have trouble with the credit markets, and even face foreclosure.

Well-located properties with strong tenants that generate good cash flow will be most attractive to investors over the next several years, the study says. Prime apartment and office properties already are getting the most attention.

The best advice to investors for 2011, from survey respondents, includes:

• Temper expectations, and buy well-leased core assets.

• Lock in leverage; mortgage rates can’t get much lower.

• Focus on global “gateway” cities — 24-hour markets — including coastal cities with international airport hubs.

• Buy land; it won’t get any cheaper.

• Be cautious with distressed loan pools. They could be a recipe for disaster if assets aren’t underwritten properly.



Compiled by the DBJ’s Paula Moore



Read more: Denver named a top real estate market to watch - New Mexico Business Weekly

[desertpunk]

~ Bump

Is Denver really this dead? Hell no!!

Time for some updates!


Union Station Redevelopment

Work has begun on the ambitious multiyear transformation of this iconic Denver landmark now that Amtrak has been relocated nearby so the dramatic renovations can begin. Here's a recap of the plan:











Work on the new railbeds and footings for the canopies and trainshed is well underway:





When complete, the facility, along with neighboring office and residential development should become an amazing new focal point for Downtown Denver as well as a major regional transportation hub.


the temporary Amtrak station up and running.

[desertpunk]

Davita Headquarters

Work started in December on the 14 story Davita healthcare building downtown. The core is rising atop the garage base and final completion is scheduled for 2012.







Cranes in the air over Denver!

[desertpunk]

1900 16th St



Denver Infill reports that 4 floors of the recently completed first tower of this development have been leased by KPMG raising hopes that the building will begin filling up so that the second tower can get financing.

[desertpunk]

Ralph Carr Judicial Complex



Cranes in the air!

[desertpunk]

Clyfford Still Museum

A new cultural gem for Denver that has begun construction.









RyanD at SSP

[desertpunk]

History Colorado Center

This major museum complex not far from the State Capitol is nearing completion:





image hosted on flickr

[desertpunk]

Colorado National Bank Hotel conversion



Work on the Stonebridge redevelopment of this downtown icon into a boutique hotel has begun.

The owner/developer is Stonebridge, a Denver-based hospitality development firm, which recently completed the Hilton Garden Inn at 14th and Welton, and the project architect is JG Johnson Architects, which specializes in hospitality design. The plan is to add two floors to the top of the building (set back from the existing roof line), renovate/restore the existing six-story structure, and add a new stairwell and entryway on the building’s southwest side that faces a small surface parking lot. That surface lot is also owned by Stonebridge, so it will be used for a new glass porte-cochère and a few spaces for short-term guest check-in parking. All other parking for the hotel will be provided as a valet service to leased spaces off site. The main pedestrian entrance faces 17th Street and features the bank’s grand metal doors.

http://denverinfill.com/blog/2011/01...onversion.html