Canadian Developer to Build Downtown Residential Tower

Executives from Toronto-based Great Gulf Group announced plans in late January to build a 55-story condominium complex on a 25,000-sq-ft site at 14th and Lawrence streets.

The project is the first downtown Denver development for the company, which also developed and built the Pinery in Parker. One of Canada's premier residential developers, Great Gulf anticipates building approximately 200 luxury residential condominium units on the site. At completion, the project will be valued at an estimated $165 million.

The 55-story tower will be solely private residences although amenities and services will be on the level of a five-star hotel - doorman, concierge, valet parking and an onsite recreational director to name a few.

Peter Clewes of Toronto's architectsAlliance released preliminary concepts for the project, which will be modeled after another collaboration between Clewes and Great Gulf - 18 Yorkville, an acclaimed luxury condominium project in Toronto, Ontario.

Construction of the onsite sales center is expected to begin this spring.

Ground Broken on Hilton Garden Inn

A groundbreaking was held in mid-January for the Hilton Garden Inn, a $35 million design-build project now under construction at 14th and Welton streets in downtown Denver. The event was hosted by the Stonebridge Companies, the developer.

The project team is led by Ivins Design Group in Denver and Loveland's Alliance Construction Solutions.

Although construction had started a few weeks earlier, the ceremony was held to commemorate the 16-month schedule, which will allow the new facility to open in the second quarter of 2007.

The 12-story, 225,000-sq-ft hotel, located next to the Colorado Convention Center, will include 221 guest rooms, a three-story parking garage and a wide range of amenities and executive services. They include a concierge desk and business center; full-service kitchen to support the restaurant, bar and room service; and an indoor swimming pool and fitness center.

Southridge Recreation Center Completed

Construction manager and general contractor Pinkard Construction Co. completed the $13.1 million Recreation Center at Southridge, the Highlands Ranch Community Association's newest facility.

The 72,000-sq-ft, structural steel and masonry facility includes a gymnasium, locker rooms, fitness pool, two indoor leisure pools, a community room with a stage, a catering and teaching kitchen, running track, aerobic/workout rooms, five tennis courts and an outdoor family pool.

Southridge is HRCA's fifth recreation center project with Pinkard and Denver architect Sink Combs Dethlefs.

Phase 1 Construction Begins on Wheatlands in Aurora

Alberta Development Partners LLC announced in January Phase I at Wheatlands, the 407-acre residential development adjacent to its Southlands retail development at E-470 and Smoky Hill Road.

Construction has already begun on Phase I, which consists of four neighborhoods of multi- and single-family homes that will be developed by TriMark, D.R. Horton and Richmond American Homes.

Sitework is under way for Wheatlands' Phase II, which includes six additional residential neighborhoods. Closing of the second phase will take place in the spring, with construction beginning in the summer.

Construction is also under way on the 6,000-sq-ft clubhouse, as well as a junior Olympic pool and toddler pool with a secured entry and playground. Community amenities will be complete by Memorial Day.

When fully developed, Wheatlands will encompass approximately 1,441 multi-and single-family homes. The final value of the master-planned community will exceed $360 million.

Denver's Byron G. Rogers Courthouse Reopens

The Byron G. Rogers federal courthouse has reopened in Denver after undergoing a $53 million, 32-month renovation to modernize the 40-year-old structure. The 248,000-sq-ft project included a new public entry and lobby; a complete upgrade of the mechanical, security and technology systems; abatement of existing asbestos; renovation of interior spaces; and rejuvenation of existing facades.

Bennett Wagner & Grody Architects PC was the architect-of-record for the project. The general contractor was a joint venture of MCDS/PCL. Project Manager Chris Lewis represented the client, the General Services Administration. Other team members included the RMH Group, Walsh Environmental and Martin/Martin Inc.

Originally designed in the mid-1960s by Fisher & Davis with James Sudler Associates, the five-story courthouse is a classic example of the Formalist tradition, which gained prominence after World War II. Bennett Wagner & Grody worked closely with the GSA and the Colorado Historical Society to preserve the building's Formalist hallmarks.

Pinkard Finishes Wilcox Square Mixed-Use Facility

Pinkard Construction Co. also completed Wilcox Square, a 33,000-sq-ft, three-story restaurant, retail and office addition in downtown Castle Rock.

The first floor of the structure serves as retail and restaurant space; the upper two floors are office space. A courtyard highlights the building's front entrance.

The building has spread footers on stem walls, wood framing for walls and floors, exterior brick and stucco veneer and aluminum-clad windows. Pinkard constructed the core and shell with a 4,200-sq-ft office build-out on the second floor. Three existing buildings were demolished to make room for the new addition.

Pinkard is also constructing Wilcox Phase II, a 13,000-sq-ft tenant finish, at the same location.

Cheyenne Mountain School Completed

GE Johnson Construction Co. completed work on Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School, the latest in a string of projects the general contractor has done for Colorado Springs School District 12.

The $10 million job included a two-story, 78,721-sq-ft addition, as well as a substantial remodel of the existing school, including demolition and asbestos abatement. Work began in June 2004 and was finished in November.

Phase II of Capitol Life Safety Project Finished

The end of 2005 marked the completion of Phase II of the Colorado State Capitol Life Safety Project, a $32 million, multi-phased plan designed to make the Capitol a safer place for the people who work there and the 250,000-plus annual visitors who tour the architectural landmark.

Work began on the project in October 2000; it's scheduled for completion in December 2008. Denver's Fentress Bradburn Architects is the designer; the contractor is Gerald H. Phipps, also of Denver.

Life safety improvements sensitive to the historic fabric of the building have been completed in the attic, third floor and sub-basement. Improvements include a new Fire Command Center, fast-acting fire sprinkler system, addressable smoke detection, fire alarm and annunciation, fan controls, emergency lighting and exit signage.

Phase II was highlighted by the completion of the first of four new pressurized exit stairs and life safety improvements for the office and public areas in the Capitol's northwest area.

Design and construction of the project is occurring in six phases to allow incremental financing, continual operation and minimal disruption of the legislative functions still performed in Chambers. Phases III through V will be repetitions of Phase II for the three remaining quadrants of the building.

Bleeker & Vigesaa Completes Columbine Ridge Medical Office

Brighton-based Bleeker & Vigesaa LLC has completed construction of the Columbine Ridge Family Medicine office for Carlos Rodriquez, MD. The project, located at 965 Platte River Blvd., Brighton, was designed by Hawkins Associates Architects PC in Wheat Ridge. Local subcontractors included Riteway Painting, Team Heating and Air Conditioning and Connected Electric.

Ground Broken on New Pavilion at Crown Hill

Ground was broken in January on a new 2,400-sq-ft commitment pavilion and nature garden at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery and Mortuary, one of Denver's oldest cemeteries.

A center point of a new four-acre garden site, the pavilion will offer families a third venue for memorial services and community gatherings, which currently includes the Chapel of Peace and the historic landmark Tower of Memories.

Milan Architects PC designed the commitment pavilion to celebrate the natural beauty of its surrounding environment. The lodge-like stone, glass and wood structure uses materials quarried in Colorado. Completion of the project is scheduled for mid-April. The general contractor is Avatar Construction.

Construction to Begin This Month on 24 Walnut

MacKenzie House and Kentwood City Properties have teamed up to build 24 Walnut, a collection of 29 townhomes at 2400 Walnut St. in Denver's historic Ballpark Neighborhood.

Urban developer Don MacKenzie will build the three-story townhome development, which will feature rooftop decks and attached garages. Construction is set to begin this month.

Kentwood City Properties will market the units, which will range in size from 1,400 sq ft to 2,400 sq ft and in price from $425,000 to $725,000. Each will include an attached two-car garage at ground level and a private fourth-story rooftop deck (some up to 500 sq ft), with hot tub and grill-ready construction.

Every feature of 24 Walnut will be unique to the area, the developers said. Owners will be able to choose from two- or three-bedroom units styled with modern designs. Dramatic steel staircases will grace each entryway. Other highlights include skylights, floor-to-ceiling windows, dual-sided fireplaces and two balconies, in addition to the rooftop deck and walk-in closets.

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