Kidney-dialysis giant DaVita is eyeing two buildings in Denver’s Lower Downtown district and is also considering build-to-suit construction for its new corporate headquarters.
The company, which is relocating from California to metro Denver, is considering space in the vacant building at 1900 16th St. and the Gates Corp. building at 1551 Wewatta St., according to people in the real estate community.
DaVita also is looking at three sites where it could build its own building: a pad at 2000 16th St. and the parcels to the north and south of Union Station. However, financing new construction could be a challenge, those people said.
DaVita spokesman Brad Chase declined to confirm that the company has zeroed in on LoDo.
“I don’t think we’re all that close to making a final decision yet,” Chase said. “I hope to have more information by the end of the week.”
DaVita has annual revenue of $5.6 billion and more than 1,400 dialysis clinics in 43 states. It ranks No. 433 in the Fortune 500.
DaVita chief executive Kent Thiry has said metro Denver’s central location, lower costs and desirability as a place to live drove the company’s relocation decision.
About 800 of DaVita’s 32,000 employees work in Colorado. Thiry and other senior executives will move here. Other headquarters employees will be given the option to relocate. There is no timetable for the company to move.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
