CREJ

/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2017

Phelps has very strong relationships with the subcontractor community

and it was through those relationships that we were able to manage the

required manpower for the project.”

Designed from the Inside Out

Considering that 1144 Fifteenth was spec built, Hines and Pickard Chil-

ton focused on providing features and amenities that prospective ten-

ants not only desire, but also demand. That began inside with unique

floor plates, floor-to-ceiling glass that not only offers stunning views but

also allows more natural light to flow deeper into the interior, free-flow-

ing and flexible work environments, tenant lounge and fitness facility,

and a host of other features attractive to modern commercial tenants.

“We’ve heard time and time again from every tenant who’s signed up

for this building that they value their employees, their wellness,” says

Despard. “It’s a great recruiting and retention tool because it’s a phenom-

enal looking building outside but we designed it from the inside out.

“Office space used to be a means to an end for companies to provide

space to do their business, but now it’s focused on more of the people

actually using the space rather than the companies themselves,” Despard

says. “That is a big change.

“I think this building will provide employees the opportunity to feel

a little bit more connected and feel a little more pride with where they

work every day.”

Where the Glass Meets the Street

So, how do you transition a glass tower to street level? According to

Markese, his team was very focused on weaving the building into the

urban fabric of downtown Denver.

“For us it was important that the building meet the ground in a strong

meaningful way. Part of the challenge was, how do you bring this glass

tower down, how do you link the limestone columns and the canopy to

the tower,” asks Markese. “Part of that for us was in the form of the build-

ing, the facets, the sheering of the building. The metal knits the glass in

with the stone so it allows the tower and the base to be stitched together

in a nice way.”

A plaza will draw pedestrians into the lobby, a grand and warm wel-

come. Ash ceilings, fumed Aspen walls, dark brown Eramosa stone floor-

ing and a striking orange glass wall give the space warmth, despite its

massive size.

“We want it to feel welcoming, feel like it’s part of Denver,” says Mark-

ese. “Hopefully they’ll find it to be refreshing, but also feel like it’s already

a part of the city — a part of the streetscape.”

What This Means for Denver

With leasing now at 90 percent, and big names like Optiv and Gates

already signed to move in, Despard feels the message that 1144 Fifteenth

sends is as clear as the Interpane glass that skins this gem.

“Denver’s arriving — I think that’s the biggest takeaway here,” Despard

says. “It also says a lot about Denver from an evolution perspective. This

city is absolutely growing at an incredible pace.”

Seeman agrees that 1144 is more than just another office tower. “This is

a symbol of the growth that our area is going through,” he says. “I believe

the architecture of the building will be a challenge to all of us in the

industry to design and build buildings with as much elegance as 1144.”

As a Colorado native, Klebba exudes pride and hopes that 1144 leads

to bigger things. “I’m proud we’ve been able to deliver such a marquee

building to Denver. I hope that this will spur future quality development

within the city and that people will look at architecture a little bit dif-

ferently now.”

And the architect Markese ponders the longevity of the design. “One of

the advantages of a building that’s transparent and has such a sculptural

quality is that I don’t think it’ll outdate itself. I think 12 years, 24 years

down the road it will still feel as good and as fresh as you see it now.”

/ 1144 Fifteenth Birth of a Denver Icon /

TOP:

A corner office like no other in Colorado.

The views from this 40th-floor space are

enhanced by three walls of glass, 20-foot

ceilings and are unencumbered by steel

beams in either corner.

BOTTOM:

Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the beauty of

the Mile High City – and beyond – while

allowing generous amounts of light to

flow into every floor.