CREJ - Multifamily Properties Quarterly - May 2017
With metro Denver’s population growth continuing to outpace the national average, multifamily projects are springing up across the region to meet increased demand for housing. There are currently 21,000 units under construction metrowide, and another 24,000 units planned or proposed for construction. With rapid building comes the risk of losing some of the character that makes each neighborhood special by settling on nondescript design templates for easy approval. Denver neighborhoods offer such unique and varying experiences; these new multifamily projects have the opportunity to add richness, not detract from it. Denver is not alone in this struggle. The city of Seattle faced similar challenges and opted to create neighborhood conservation districts to help address the issue. While there may not be a formal movement in Denver, it’s still a topic of concern. We believe that the key to addressing this type of issue – and the key to any successful project, really – is to ensure that design reflects its context. Take a look at the hospitality sector in Denver. The feel of The Crawford Hotel is entirely different than that of Halcyon in Cherry Creek or The Maven, our newly completed project in Dairy Block. Despite being within a few miles of one another, our designs were entirely based on the history and character of their specific neighborhoods. Taking cues from hospitality design, we can help combat cookie-cutter multifamily projects, and preserve – even enhance – the character that makes each Denver neighborhood special. • Contextual design. Exceptional hotels offer intentional experiences that can only be found where they are. The same is true of multifamily projects. Designing for a multifamily project requires a cultural immersion into the character of an area. By accounting for both the needs of a client and respecting the history of the community, the final design will produce something that seamlessly blends into the neighborhood’s fabric, reflecting the materials, structures, scale and details like window patterns of the area. Take Denver’s Lower Highland neighborhood as an example. With 10 multifamily projects either under construction or planned in the area, it’s important to pay attention to what makes this place a local favorite – mainly, easy access to restaurants, bars and retail. The 106-unit Alexan LoHi, set to open later this year, takes into account its historical urban setting. At just five stories, the project features a brick façade and first-floor restaurant and retail space that will add to the vitality of the neighborhood. The design also incorporates murals and artwork by local artists to make residents feel at home. Taking cues from a different Denver neighborhood, Laurel Cherry Creek offers a taste of upscale hospitality fitting of the area. This 77-condominium project, set to open in 2018, will offer residents a porte-cochere, large balconies with sliding glass doors that blur the line between interior and exterior, and a resortlike rooftop deck with unobstructed views of the mountains and downtown. • Community connection. One of the most powerful elements of hotels is their ability to create a connection with the surrounding community. As 24-hour, 365-day spaces, detailed attention is given to how they play a role in a neighborhood’s daily life. Multifamily projects aren’t all that different. While there may not be unlimited access, the incorporation of mixed-use spaces including restaurants and retail adds to a community’s connection to multifamily projects. As one of Denver’s up-and-coming areas, Sloan’s Lake traditionally has been a residential neighborhood with a concentrated focus on the lake as a premier activity for those seeking an active lifestyle. While there are only a few multifamily development projects planned for this area, the redevelopment of the St. Anthony Hospital campus provides an opportunity to complement the area’s active lifestyle with new offerings. At Regatta Sloan’s Lake, a 369-unit apartment community, which opened in the fall, the first floor of the west building offers restaurant spaces designed to attract residents and neighbors alike after a day on the lake or running around town. • Common spaces. In the same way a hotel can create a great experience by facilitating connections to the surrounding community, it also can create memorable experiences with the strategic use of common areas for guests to interact, retreat and enjoy. This same type of amenity can make a difference in creating a thriving multifamily project. The design for Alexan LoHi, for example, includes an interior courtyard that serves as an urban oasis and encourages residents to meet one another. Regatta Sloan’s Lake features interior gathering spaces for residents that seamlessly connect to two interior courtyards. The project also uses Sloan’s Lake Park as a common space, offering rentable paddleboards and kayaks to residents for use on the lake. When done with intention and care, multifamily projects have the ability to both reflect and enhance the uniqueness and character of these special neighborhoods. These projects have a special opportunity to create a lasting impact on residents and the greater community for years to come.