The Downtown Denver Partnership presented six awards today to transformational projects in Downtown Denver that contribute to an economically healthy, growing and vital center city at the 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards Dinner, presented by Polsinelli.
The honorees, selected by a jury of key business leaders convened by the Downtown Denver Partnership, are businesses, projects and initiatives that had the most significant impact on the center city in 2015.
The 55th Annual Downtown Denver Awards winners are:
· 16M (Video)
· Balfour at Riverfront Park (Video)
· Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel (Video)
· Elan Union Station │ King Soopers (Video)
· Lawrence Street Community Center (Video)
· Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver (Video)
“We are grateful for the opportunity to pause each year to celebrate the achievements that advance us toward our vision of a world-class center city,” said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “These projects support our place-based economic development strategy and have made significant contributions to bolster Downtown Denver as a powerful economic engine for the city, state and region.”
More than 1,000 people – a new attendance record – celebrated award winners at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
More information about each winner is below. Click here for images available for media use, please credit the individual project for the photo. Additional information, as well as videos highlighting each project, are available at downtowndenver.com.
16M
16M is a thoughtfully designed mixed-use building in Denver’s historic Lower Downtown (LoDo) District that brings an authentic modern development to activate a previously overlooked intersection of 16th and Market Streets. The 10-story, 340,000-square-foot building creates space for residents, businesses, ground-level retail and increases pedestrian activity and vibrancy along the 16th Street Mall.
“16M supports the vibrancy of downtown Denver through its ‘live, work, play’ uses within the building’s modern yet contextual architectural design. Having our work honored for contributing to the transformation of downtown Denver makes this award very special to us!”
Brent Mather, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Design Director, Gensler
Balfour at Riverfront Park
Balfour at Riverfront Park brings one of America’s only four-star senior living communities to Downtown Denver. Balfour expands opportunities for seniors to experience all that Downtown Denver has to offer, while also accessing an entire continuum of care to meet their long-term needs.
“On behalf of the entire Balfour at Riverfront Park team, it is our honor to receive a 2015 Downtown Denver Partnership Award. By presenting Balfour with this prestigious award, you have recognized that vibrant cities are places for everyone, not just young professionals and empty nesters. And that’s how Balfour at Riverfront Park became more than a vision. We’d like to believe our community has helped in its own special way to make Downtown Denver a more dynamic and exciting place.”
Michael Schonbrun, Founder
Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum │ the ART Hotel
The mixed use Co-Development Expansion Project at the Denver Art Museum, including the ART Hotel, has bolstered the Broadway corridor and Golden Triangle neighborhood and established the city block as the cultural core of Downtown Denver. This world-class transformation of a public parking lot brings a new tier of visitors to Downtown and includes private mixed-use space for 55 luxury residences, new retail, 50,000 square feet of office space and the ART Hotel.
“Mile High Development and Corporex Colorado are truly thrilled to receive a prestigious Downtown Denver Partnership Award on behalf of the Co-Development Expansion Project which validates the strong commitment made over 15 years ago to enter into a public-private partnership with the City and County of Denver and the Denver Art Museum to help transform the Civic Center neighborhood.”
George Thorn, Mile High Development
Elan Union Station │ King Soopers
Elan Union Station solidified Lower Downtown’s transition from a business district to an urban neighborhood by fulfilling a long-standing commitment to bring a first-of-its-kind, full-service grocery store to Downtown Denver. The development also features a 314-unit apartment complex and additional ground-floor retail that broadly impacts Downtown’s residents, workers and visitors.
“The Elan Union Station project is the “front door” to the Platte Valley and adds a critical urban component to downtown Denver – the first full-service grocery store. The Nichols Partnership, along with Loftus Developments, worked with the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, King Soopers and a variety of other constituents over a 10-year period to create this valuable amenity and advance Denver as a true 24/7 city. We are honored to be recognized by the Downtown Denver Partnership.”
Nichols Partnership
Lawrence Street Community Center
The Lawrence Street Community Center provides a safe, clean and dignified place – the first of its kind – where Denver’s homeless community can access basic services during the day, including bathrooms, showers, laundry facilities, food, drinking fountains and power outlets. The facility includes a 325-seat dining center and outdoor courtyard, reducing neighborhood sidewalk congestion and helping the Denver Rescue Mission support homeless individuals on the path towards becoming self-sufficient citizens.
“This award means a tremendous amount to the Mission and all of our staff. We fought many uphill battles to see the Lawrence Street Community Center open its doors, and now we’re serving more meals and providing more services than ever before. It’s doing what it was supposed to do -- help people in dire need. And we’re so grateful Downtown Denver recognizes the value of this.”
Brad Meuli, CEO, Denver Rescue Mission
Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver
The Regency Athletic Complex at MSU of Denver transformed a previously unused plot of land into a 13-acre field of dreams, enhancing health and wellness among student-athletes and the community, and creating an amenity that strengthens physical and economic connections to Downtown Denver.
“The Regency Athletic Complex allows us to engage with the neighboring community, provide premier facilities for our student-athletes and bring new people to the center city. We’ve created a place that is a vital part of the urban fabric of Downtown Denver and we are thankful for this recognition.”
Dr. Stephen Jordan, President, MSU of Denver
About the Downtown Denver Partnership
The Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. partners with public, private and non-profit entities to implement high-impact strategies, outlined in the organization’s long-term strategy the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, to support its vision for an economically healthy, growing and vital Downtown Denver. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com.
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Media Contact:
Brea Olson
303.775.4712
[email protected]
