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86 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / March 2021 / Prime West Development / square feet in three buildings, each designed to showcase the tech-for- ward collaboration and efficiency that distinguish their brand and ser- vices.” Designed by Open Studio Architec- ture and built by Swinerton Build- ers, the three red-brick buildings are situated to take full advantage of the spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. A modern takeon industrial chic, at first glance, the campus reads as a century-old adaptive reuse in weathered brick and time-blackened steel. Thoughtful site organization and an abundance of daylight fromevery angle animate an elegant amalgamation of today and tomorrow, form, function and furnishings. Indoor-outdoor permea- bility is explored through a combina- tion of glazing, open-span architecture, and deftly integrated courtyards and patios. “Development can be a very complex, challenging game,” says Neenan of the long-range strategic thinking required to successfully navigate opportunity, risk, reward and livelihood in never fully predictable markets. “Controlling the land, hav- ing the capital to finance, understanding the market, and at- tracting the tenants and users isn’t something that happens quickly or easily.” Once thestarsalignontheopportunityside, PrimeWest taps into more than 30 years of local relationships to assemble the required expertise. Neenan and his team seek out the best in thebusiness frommanydifferent disciplines – architects, engi- neers, builders, bankers, lawyers, planners andmanymore. Or- chestrating success among many moving parts requires nim- ble decision-making, a cohesive core team, and a collaborative allowance for free-thinking. “It is critical for everyone involved inour projects tobe treat- ed equally and with respect,” shares Neenan. “We incorporate a lot of different perspectives from a lot of very talented peo- ple, andwe need to hear the very best ideas fromevery one of them. Honesty and being forthright is the centerline in every- thingwe do.” AsFront RangeColoradohas grown, attractingever-moreen- terprise and talent, local housing markets have bulged at the seams. With decades in the game, Prime West recognized the opportunity and readied its resources to respond to market demands. “The development community doesn’t drive growth. We respond to it,” Neenan says of the order of forces that shape decision-making at Prime West. “The need for quality housing comes in many forms. Locally for multifamily housing, both for-rent and for-saledemand is going tocontinue to increaseas long as the population continues to grow. As we diversify into urban infill, it’s important to consider the impact on people, neighborhoods and communities.” Stretching its expertise beyond its comfort zone in com- mercial office development, Prime West is preparing to break ground on a new multifamily housing project in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood. Located a block from the pedestrian bridge link to the 41st and Fox Station on the RTD’s commut- er rail line, at just under an acre, the Prime West team is chal- lenged tomaximize contribution tocommunityandprofitabil- ity on a tight site. “We have tried to be very thoughtful and thorough in our planning,” says Tim Schlichting, Prime West’s chief develop- ment officer, of advancing the site development plan for a 209- unit, eight-storybuilding throughDenver’spermittingprocess. Fostering a team-think environment, Prime West enlisted the helpof architects at Ratio|HPA to orchestrate a comprehensive community engagement process in planning the design. Be- ing sensitive to community concerns includes consideration of parking, infrastructure, materiality, massing, colors, context and equity. “Some of the units in this propertywill be income-restricted, andwe spent agreat deal of timeandeffort talkingwithneigh- borhood organizations and the councilperson,” Schlichting saysof theeffort toestablishawell-rounded, inclusiveperspec- tive on the right building solution for a neighborhood in tran- sition. Understanding the significance of the long-established residential communities surrounding the site is important in setting the project up for success. “Thenorth star for PrimeWest is to actwith integrity anddo meaningful work. Howour projects affect our clients, their us- ers, and the communities that surround themmatters a great deal to us.” \\ Fostering a team-think environment, Prime West enlisted the help of architects at Ratio|HPA to orchestrate a comprehensive commu- nity engagement process in planning the design of its new Sunny- side multifamily project.