CREJ

June 2021 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 85 Historic Denver, and the Saddle Committee for the Nation Western Complex, Craine appreciates the delicate nature of setting precedents for what will soon be an edgy “micro- tropolis.” “The design challenge here was inserting a 13-story apart- ment tower into a low-slung, hard-scrabble neighborhood while being cognizant not only of the area’s influence on the building but also the building’s influence on the future of the district,” says Craine. Craine Architecture’s resolution of these as-of-yet not fully defined circumstantial drivers balances picking up ground-level design cues and establishing a new architec- tural language above. Beginning with a straightforward interpretation of area inspirations, Edit builds upward on a base of masonry and metal. Fenestration at the ground level is organized around large, oversized openings remi- niscent of the district’s former conglomeration of ware- houses, metal works and auto repair outfits. The building activates the streetscape through an energetic mix of retail and dining and a resolute insistence on ground-floor trans- parency across the external facades. As the building rises, the importance of upper-story setbacks comes into play as Edit anticipates its future over-height neighbors in a dis- trict of changing context. “We have tried to lean into the background, taking cues fromwhat surrounds the site, and being thoughtful in how loudly we proclaim presence here,” says Craine of the need to be more subtle than bold on this particular property. “Edit takes an important first step in breaking the height barrier for the site. This is the essence of city-building, es- tablishing forward-thinking precedents that set the tone for what follows.” Zucker agrees and shares his enthusiasm for Edit’s arriv- al. “RiNo is a vibrant, fun, cool walkable neighborhood with nearly immediate access to the very best of downtownDen- ver,” finishes Zucker confidently. “Edit positively integrates a soothing presence within an energetic, emerging place to create a new kind of urban apartment experience that will suit the people who live here ideally.” \\ / Edit / LEFT: Edit’s amenity package includes a sprawling rooftop lounge on level 14. RIGHT Generous common areas balance the smaller unit square footage. BELOW: At an average of 560 sf per unit, the Edit apartment does not quite translate to micro-living. The design challenge here was inserting a 13-story apartment tower into a low-slung, hard-scrabble neighborhood, accord- ing to the architect.