On July 24, Pinkard Construction held a topping out celebration for The Irving at Mile High Vista, Urban Land Conservancy’s new climate-friendly affordable housing development on Irving Street in Denver’s West Colfax neighborhood.
Attendees featured the construction teams and included representatives from Urban Land Conservancy (ULC), Fortis structural engineers, architect Studio Completiva, owner’s representative Artaic Group, and [GU1] the City and County of Denver’s affordable housing review team. Speakers at the event included Sarah Harman, ULC’s senior vice president of real estate, Yong Cho, principal at Studio Completiva, and Pinkard’s Senior Superintendent Dave Hanzlick, who congratulated all team members for their diligence in overcoming numerous unique challenges.
The Irving at Mile High Vista is a seven-story, all-electric housing development adding 102 much-needed, income-restricted affordable apartments to Denver’s West Colfax neighborhood. It is one of the first developments in the state to utilize affordable housing financing from Proposition 123. The complex’s studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be available to people earning 20% to 80% of the area median income, or $18,260 to $73,040 for a single-person household.
In thanking team members for their contributions, Sarah Harman reiterated how critical the Mile High Vista development is for building community opportunities in the West Colfax neighborhood. “The Irving is the final piece of the Mile High Vista site, and we are grateful to be able to deliver affordable housing to the displaced longtime residents of this area. Now these community members will be able to live near their work and ultimately age in place in this beautiful new community.”
The Irving incorporates renewable energy, and highly efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling, as well as a rooftop solar array — all to support a cleaner, more sustainable environment inside and out. The project is meeting and exceeding National Green Building Standards (NGBS). Other climate-friendly features include energy-efficient appliances and lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, water-efficient landscaping and electric vehicle charging stations.
During preconstruction, Pinkard teamed with architect Studio Completiva to hit and maintain the owner’s budget for, enabling ULC to secure all financing from 12 financial partners, which include the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, the Colorado Division of Housing, and the City and County of Denver.
“It is so inspirational to watch this important project becoming a reality before our eyes. The entire team came together overcome daunting challenges for the benefit of this important neighborhood,” said Studio Completiva Principal Yong Cho.
Adjacent to the Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library – one of Denver Public Library’s busiest branches – Pinkard developed a comprehensive site logistics plan to funnel away construction congestion near the library and to ensure the safety of[GU2] library patrons and the public near the site. Pinkard regularly collaborates with library staff and neighbors to coordinate and limit construction-related impacts for library patrons and employees.
A part of the West Colfax revitalization effort, the Mile High Vista area is a two-acre parcel serving as the natural gateway connecting downtown and west Denver. It is near multiple transit options including light rail and bus. The site includes the Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Denver Public Library branch, and the Avondale Apartments.
The Irving at Mile High Vista is expected to be completed late 2025.
