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Page 20 — Office Properties Quarterly — March 2017
ROBERT WHITTELSEY | KATY SHEEHY
COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
4643 S. Ulster Street | Suite 1000 | Denver, CO 80237
+1 303 745 5800
CULT IVAT ING THE FUTURE THROUGH CLASSIC DESIGN
6200 S. Syracuse Way | Greenwood Village, CO 80111
CARRARA PLACE
Carrara Place is an elegant Class A trophy office building. Built in 1982, this LEED Gold certified, high-end asset features a marble curtain
wall, solidifying the Property’s status as one of the most sought-after buildings in Southeast Denver. Offering distinct competitive advantages
including 9’ ceilings, a new state-of-the-art fitness center and conference facility, Denver’s largest floorplates, and an outstanding continuous
glassline framed by Italian Carrara marble, Carrara Place appeals to a wide range of corporate office space users.
Workplace Trends
I t’s no secret that mixed-use
developments are on the rise.
Americans prefer walkable
communities more than ever,
a recent survey by the National
Association of Realtors found. Walk-
able, mixed-use communities pro-
mote a more health-and-wellness-
focused lifestyle, and today’s office
facility owners are taking notice. The
movement toward more inclusive,
diverse and walkable developments
also mixes into the office environ-
ment itself.
Modern office designs are a far cry
from yesterday’s cubicle farms. To
better focus on their employees and
attract the best talent, office designs
are incorporating a number of ele-
ments that cater specifically to the
physical and mental wellness of
their tenants. From rooftop access,
increased natural lighting, fitness
facilities and even on-site health care
screening space, the workplace is
becoming more than just a place of
work.
With the health-and-wellness
industry reaching $3.4 trillion world-
wide in 2013, according to the Global
Wellness Summit, and the increased
frequency and severity of illnesses
and allergies on the rise, it’s no won-
der that wellness-infused buildings
have become the next big thing.
Occupant-First Design
Located between downtown Denver
and the Denver Tech Center, Colorado
Center is a transit-oriented develop-
ment. The community promotes its
mixed-use profile, sporting office
space as well as retail, residential,
fitness and culture. Its proximity to
public transporta-
tion further adds to
its appeal as a “live,
work, play” destina-
tion.
The latest
addition to this
community, known
as Tower III, is in
the final stages of
construction and
will be a Class A
office building fea-
turing a 15-story
tower topped with
a rooftop terrace.
The terrace was designed with half of
its space on the interior of the build-
ing and the other half as an outdoor
patio, with connecting full-height
glass accordion curtainwall doors
that open to enjoy the beautiful Den-
ver weather. The space is available
for use by all tenants and available to
be rented out on occasion for events
and functions. Also featured within
Tower III is an on-site fitness center,
shared conference rooms and meet-
ing spaces.
Recently completed projects like
the Rocky Mountain Institute Innova-
tion Center in Basalt and the NREL
Energy Systems Integration Facility
in Golden both tout LEED Platinum
features that double as occupant-
centric features. Both buildings con-
tain office space designed around the
maximization of natural light, reduc-
ing the energy needs for artificial
lighting while simultaneously keep-
ing occupants more connected with
the landscape around them.
In downtown Denver, the recently
constructed Polsinelli office put its
employees first
when it came time
to build out its new
space. The LEED Sil-
ver facility features
a large outdoor
terrace on the 23rd
floor spanning the
entire west eleva-
tion, providing a
breath of fresh air
and relaxed gather-
ing space. Allowing
employees quick
and easy access to
important services,
an on-site nurse’s office and well-
ness suite was incorporated into the
design. Additionally, an employee
café delivers a more casual meet-
ing setting and access to a variety of
light dining and beverage choices, all
under one roof.
• Transit-oriented development. A
side effect of this trend is the chang-
ing concept of the commute. Com-
muters increasingly are looking for
alternative methods of transportation
when it comes to getting to and from
the office. Developers are taking note
and incorporating this trend in new,
transit-oriented developments.
As the name suggests, TODs are
planned and designed around the
concept of providing efficient access
to a variety of transportation meth-
ods. Whether that’s fast access to rail
transit, multiple locations for bike
sharing, better storage and upkeep
Joel Pennick
Senior project
manager, JE Dunn
Construction,
Denver
Charlie Slattery
Project manager,
JE Dunn
Construction,
Denver
Michael Robinson Photography
The Polsinelli office features an outdoor terrace on the 23rd floor spanning the entire
west elevation, providing a breath of fresh air and relaxed gathering space.