Demolition work began this week for Phase One of Cherry Creek West. After years of planning and preparation, developer East West Partners and private equity firm Ascentris recently announced on the project’s website that construction is moving from vision to reality, starting with the demolition of the building where Elway’s, Brio, and the Container Store used to be, and the building formerly housing Macy’s furniture and Boulder Running Company. The former Bed Bath & Beyond building at 2500 E. 1st Ave. will remain and serve as a temporary construction office for Phase One.
Mortenson | Saunders, a joint venture between two of Denver’s most respected construction firms, is the construction manager and general contractor for Cherry Creek West redevelopment.
As with many redevelopment projects, the first phase of work focuses on preparing the site safely and responsibly for demolition and future construction. One of the initial activities includes asbestos abatement. Other early-site preparations include installing perimeter fencing and closing the existing surface lots to public parkers. All construction parking for this demolition phase will be located within the construction fencing and will not be in the surrounding neighborhoods or the mall parking garage.
According to East West, the first phase is planned to include approximately 400 residences, 200,000 square feet of office space, and 50,000 square feet of retail space. Road and utilities work, above-ground construction and creek improvements are expected to continue until late 2027, with the first building on the site being completed in the summer of 2029.
“We know there is a lot of interest in this project, and we look forward to sharing updates as Cherry Creek West begins to take shape,” said Amy Cara, managing partner at East West Partners.
Cherry Creek West spans from University Boulevard to Clayton Lane and from 1st Avenue to the Cherry Creek waterway, comprising roughly four city blocks. Current plans include the development and creation of approximately 825 multifamily units, 600,000 square feet of office space, 100,000 square feet of retail, an abundance of underground parking with over 2,000 spaces, and four acres of open space.
The development marks the second joint venture between Ascentris and East West Partners, who together in 2019 developed The Coloradan, a 334-unit condominium building with 22K sf of ground-floor retail in the Union Station neighborhood of Denver.
Mile High CRE will continue to share any construction updates and progress highlights as Cherry Creek West takes shape.
