CREJ

SEPTEMBER 2017 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \

and enhances the sense of community.

Across the metro area, our current boom cycle has a

perhaps unrealized effect. The reality of new construction,

and therefore new competition, is encouraging property

owners to evaluate their own buildings and measure them

against new criteria. Many of the buildings that were con-

structed during the late 1970s boom are now in the process

of being repositioned, providing opportunities to rethink

the function of these dated and often foreboding build-

ings. Not only do these projects add value to Denver’s ur-

ban core, but also they leverage correction of oversights

and failures of the urban renewal movement. Human

scale, pedestrian access, complexity and diversity of use

are all weapons in the larger arsenal of experiential de-

sign. We believe creatively repurposing existing buildings

allows communities to maintain their character, low-

ers the environmental impact of new development and

brings economic revitalization to new areas. The results

are buildings with higher occupancy and lease rates that

are now better integrated into our evolving urban fab-

ric. Gensler’s redesign of The Alliance Center in LoDo has

more than doubled its occupancy rate while providing a

much broader range of workspace options.

It is undeniably an exciting time to be a designer, de-

veloper, builder and, most importantly, a resident of Den-

ver and Colorado. This opportunity to collectively shape

our communities is one we should embrace. With a focus

on people, and how to cultivate human environments,

thoughtful design can change Denver for the better.

ELEMENTS

Experiential Design

David Lauer Photography

Gensler’s redesign of The Alliance Center in LoDo has

more than doubled its occupancy rate while providing a

much broader range of workspace options.

City of Aurora Public Training Center

Aurora, CO

innovate. collaborate. outperform.