The Denver Post and the Union Station Neighborhood Company have been publishing many details this week in an indication that it may be time for construction to start on this exciting Denver neighborhood. Here is an excerpt from a USNC release...
"As master developer, USNC is required to purchase and develop five real estate sites on the Union Station property between now and 2013. Last fall we began design on the first two buildings – four and five story mixed use buildings that will flank the historic station building.
Approximately ten days ago we announced that IMA Financial Group has committed to be the anchor tenant for the first of these buildings. IMA will occupy nearly all of the office space in a five story, 100,000 square foot building to be constructed between the historic station building and the Ice House at approximately 18th and Wynkoop Sts. USNC expects to close on this first parcel within the next 30 days. A second much larger headquarters office tenant is also close to making a decision to locate within the Union Station neighborhood. We expect an announcement of their decision shortly. While the tenant is still evaluating multiple sites, we believe they will select a site within the tax increment district that helps finance the transportation hub and that all the revenue generated by this new building will contribute to supporting the Union Station transportation project financing structure."
If you aren't familiar with the term mixed use it means.. well.. mixed use. It's a wonderful thing in terms of Urban Planning and for residents of downtown Denver Condos and lofts. The uses that are mixed could be office, retail or residential. It's the idea that instead of having a building or an area with just residential or just retail you mix it all up for a fantastic combination. The residents get the enjoyment of walking out their front door to enjoy restaurants, shops, and more. Office workers get the same benefit as they enjoy their lunch or their after work happy hours. It creates an energy and flow that is part of the magic of downtown condo and loft living.
And it's starting at the Union Station Neighborhood site. From these press releases it looks like the office component will take the stage first in establishing some initial blocks and parcels. Landing a new office tenant involves a number of "carrots". There is the location, the price, and the amenities... which usually translates into some impressive restaurants, bars and shops. And in this case a huge component will be the benefit of sitting at one of the biggest transportation hubs in Denver. When you think of all the hundreds and thousands of people that will pass through the Union Station Neighborhood transportation hub in the future you can see why it might be extremely attractive for business owners.
If you are following this train (no pun intended) of thought this transportation and foot traffic benefit should draw some incredible restaurants and bars to the area. All of these new office workers, existing downtown Denver light rail users, and local downtown condo residents will fill up the booths, tables, and bar seats to enjoy wonderful meals, drinks, and laughter together. We can't wait to see what superstar restaurants step up to the plate to take these cornerstone first spots.
And of course.. the residential. In this mixed plan through the next decade will be a number of great residential offerings right in the middle of the magic. Nothing on the horizon as of yet and these initial plans didn't mention much in the way of residential but you know we will have our eyes peeled. Somewhere in these first five buildings we might expect to see some penthouse style residences gracing the top floor, or at least the residential side of the equation would love to see that. Or perhaps some of those top floors will be occupied by these tenants or an incredible sky view restaurant. We will have to wait to see.
So while we don't have any more details for you than what the Union Station Company has released we wanted to make sure to share the news with you. Keep posted here and we will let you know whenever something new and exciting happens and our views. Till more comes out here is a link to a slide show of the proposed design.
More questions? Please feel free to contact us about this area or any Downtown Denver Condo or Loft development.