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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2016

former block’s lack of presence among such an intensely re-

developed urban core insisted this development offer some-

thing quite a bit more to stand out. It’s in finding a soul that

a project becomes more than bricks and sticks, dollars and

cents and many developers would agree that tapping into a

place’s soul is key to long-term success.

“We were driven by this idea of giving a gift to the city, be-

cause Denver has been so good to all of us,” says Peter Karpins-

ki, of Sage Hospitality. That gift admittedly took a moment to

find – the block had been under consideration for redevel-

opment for longer than anyone could actually say. “We want

to plant the seed and grow something the community will

authentically embrace. The Dairy Block will be a new kind of

marketplace focused on the alley between the buildings – a

found experience, again and again.”

Coursing between the structures of most of the area’s his-

toric blocks, alleys generally have been backdoor operations

where trash, cigarette butts, graffiti and filth collect on hard

surfaces. At Dairy Block, the alley is celebrated, a living vein

through the property allowing the design to take an inward

look. Here the curated retail and dining options will mingle

in a mix of creativity and energy, ever-changing art installa-

tions and the juxtaposition of historic preservation and new

construction. Rooms at The Maven and terraces among office

suites will peer over Bourbon Street balconies into a jamboree

of pedestrians below shopping, dining, and lingering amid

the artisans and their works.

The synthesis of the Dairy Block’s many different stories

and personalities fell to Crème, a collaboration of dynamic

creatives who solve design challenges through storytelling

and experience building. Founder Jun Aizaki describes Crème

as an integrated design firm composed of designers of many

sorts – architects, interiors, industrial, graphic, branding, and

the like – more

makers.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to soak in the positive

energy that’s floating around, and shape, mold and hone it

into a precise lifestyle atmosphere” says Aizaki. Crème’s role

on the Dairy Block began when Sage decided to fill The Ma-

ven’s dining area with Kachina Southwestern Grill, a Sage

original restaurant concept the company has already success-

fully incubated in Westminster and is ready for a second lo-

cation. Crème participated in the design of the first Kachina

and as the Dairy Block design took shape Aizaki’s role grew.

“The Dairy Block is about people who create things –

mak-

ers

are

mavens,

doers who get it done and we share in our

love for our work as one of life’s premium prizes,” finishes

Aizaki. As the Dairy Block races toward completion, among

the developers, designers and the doers building the work the

excitement continues to build for Denver’s next great place

and this gift to our great city.

/ Dairy Block: Heart and Soul /

ABOVE LEFT:

The Maven’s lobby features a large and unique skylight to show the wonderful colors of Denver’s sky -

day and night.

ABOVE RIGHT:

Tile in The Maven’s guest rooms were thoughtfully selected and hand-laid for a unique look at every doorstep.