On September 30, the Denver Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the purchase of Denver Pavilions, a 350K+ square-foot retail destination located on Denver’s 16th Street.
The DDDA Board’s approval comes the day after the Denver City Council voted to approve the first five projects recommended by the DDDA Board, which includes the purchase of the parking lot adjacent to Denver Pavilions. Following the DDDA Board decision on the Pavilions, the deal – which includes a $37 million acquisition with up to $8 million for additional property improvements and leasing and development planning – will head to Denver City Council for final approval. The Pavilions is currently owned and managed by Denver-based Gart Properties.
The Pavilions spans two city blocks, three stories, and features over 40 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, including a movie theater and a bowling alley. With the flagship H&M, the shopping is complemented by the highest volume restaurant in Denver, Maggiano’s Little Italy.
“The Denver Downtown Development Authority’s acquisition of Denver Pavilions presents a monumental opportunity to reimagine this key retail property through strategic improvements and long-term redevelopment,” said Kourtny Garrett, president & CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Denver Pavilions has long been an anchor in Upper Downtown and on 16th Street and this deal comes at a fortuitous time, as we officially reopen 16th Street, work toward the adoption of the new Downtown Area Plan, and usher in a new era for our center city.”
The DDDA plans to retain a powerhouse leasing team to handle critical maintenance, tenant renewals, and attract quality retail and restaurant tenants while capitalizing on recent catalysts, not least of which is the recently completed 16th Street revitalization project.
“If you grew up in Denver, you have a great memory of going to the Denver Pavilions,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “We want the next generation to experience that same joy, not through clinging to what worked in the past but by restoring a sense of place that is uniquely Denver with a dynamic blend of local stores, restaurants, and community. Over the next several months we will be coming together as a city to bring the Pavilions into a new era and to reinvigorate it as a vibrant hub of Upper Downtown.”
Short-term priorities for the property include implementing a collaborative parking management strategy to better serve Pavilions and neighboring 16th Street businesses. The long-range vision transforms Pavilions into a vibrant, walkable destination featuring diverse experiences beyond traditional retail—incorporating dynamic public spaces, active storefronts, and a mix of entertainment, service, and cultural offerings. The strategy also includes offering two surface parking lots for residential, office, and hotel development to drive additional foot traffic, with potential future enhancements such as an art installation on the blank 5-story façade facing 15th Street.
The DDDA then intends to sell Pavilions to another buyer who can implement the new, mixed-use redevelopment vision for the site. The DDDA will move forward with renewing leases for current tenants and working to attract new tenants, while a public process to reimagine Pavilions as a thriving anchor for Upper Downtown is underway.
