Developers on Tuesday made two announcements that are expected to give downtown Denver a big boost in its revitalization efforts.
Toronto-based Great Gulf Group said it’s collaborating with renowned glass sculptor Dale Chihuly on its previously announced $165 million residential tower at 14th and Lawrence streets.
Separately, Denver developer Evan Makovsky said he has assembled about 75,000 square feet of property between the Hyatt and the 16th Street Mall.
Makovsky plans to spend about $350 million developing 1 million square feet of shops, offices, residences and hotel rooms on the site, which is viewed as a crucial bridge between two major tourist draws.
Makovsky did not unveil a specific plan for the site, saying he intends to spend up to eight months exploring alternatives to what his team already has designed.
Demolition already has started on the Bank of Denver and soon will be followed by razing of the old Colonial Hotel. The property will remain open space through the Democratic National Convention in August 2008.
“We will try to improve its looks,” said Makovsky, who spent three years assembling the property.
Makovsky did not acquire the Fontius or the Washington McClintock buildings fronting the 16th Street Mall.
“Those two buildings have limitations because they are historic buildings and can’t be torn down,” Makovsky said.
Over the past three years, the Downtown Denver Partnership and the mayor’s office encouraged the assemblage of the block, long considered one of Denver’s biggest eyesores.
“We all dug deep in terms of civic leadership,” said Don Hunt, co-chairman of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Revitalizing the Core Task Force. “Evan dug deep in a different way.”
The Great Gulf project is the first residential project Chihuly has been involved with, said Gary Switzer, Great Gulf executive vice president. The building will feature 145 residences ranging from 1,200 square feet to 7,400 square feet.
Chihuly artwork will be featured in the public spaces, including the lobby, lounges and private dining room, as well as rooftop gardens, elevators and hallways. Twenty-five-foot blue towers will flank the project’s pool and be visible from the street.
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com.
