Kroeneke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) submitted a concept review to the city on April 21 for one of several parking lots surrounding Ball Arena in downtown Denver. The plans outline phase one of the project—the catalyst for future redevelopment.
One of the four buildings proposed for the 3.7-acre site is a 290,000-square-foot hotel with 244 hotel rooms. According to the plans, the angled hotel tower façade draws inspiration from the industrial textures of LoDo. Further, it utilizes materials that emulate the surrounding neighborhood’s masonry buildings while introducing transparency to activate the street and engage the public realm.
Development Summary:
- Four buildings, connected by a shared below-grade garage
- 422,000 SF Housing, 300 units
- 290,000 SF Hotel, 244 rooms
- 170,000 SF Venue
- 7,000 SF Active Uses
- 62,000 SF Parking, 398 spaces
- Elevated Public Promenade connected by a future pedestrian bridge over Speer Blvd
- Public Plaza fronting Chopper Circle and Ball Arena
The project goals are as follows:
1. Create a vibrant new neighborhood that stitches together disparate adjacent neighborhoods.
The proposed development includes an elevated promenade connecting the future pedestrian crossing over Speer, which seamlessly connects pedestrians from LoDo through the Phase 1 development to Ball Arena. The adjacencies to the Auraria Higher Education Campus and future River Mile neighborhoods aim to envision a future collection of neighborhoods connected via public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian networks.
2. Be simultaneously contextually responsive and forward-thinking.
The project sticks to CPV-T zoning rules and is designed to fit in with the historic look and feel of LoDo and AHEC. On the sides that face those neighborhoods, the buildings will match the scale and materials of the area. On the sides facing Ball Arena and future developments, the design will be bolder and more eye-catching.
3. Prioritize spaces for people rather than vehicles.
The proposed streetscape includes infrastructure to provide bike routes that are part of the future 5280 trail network. The roads within the site are intended to prioritize pedestrian activity. The elevated promenade provides a public space for pedestrians to access public and active uses of each of the buildings.
4. Set a cutting-edge standard for sustainability and energy performance
The plan is to power the new development with a district energy system that turns waste heat into usable energy. On top of that, the buildings are designed to be eco-friendly by using smart layouts, efficient systems, and sustainable materials, like lining things up to get the best sunlight, using mass timber, and choosing low-impact finishes.
The plans come six months after the Denver City Council rezoned nearly 70 acres around Ball Arena. Concept plans represent the earliest stages of development and are subject to changes and approval from the City of Denver.
Project partners: SAR+, Wenk Associates, ZGF, and Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers
