The Denver Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) Board of Directors has unanimously approved funding for two projects, including a catalytic office-to-residential conversion of two prominent downtown office towers, now known as High Fidelity Plaza, located at 621 and 633 17th St in downtown Denver, and the renewal of the Downtown Safety Action Plan.
“A vibrant downtown is one where working families can afford to live and where they feel safe doing so,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “I am grateful to the Downtown Development Authority for investing in solutions that are delivering clear results for our city center.”
The High Fidelity Plaza project will convert 1 million square feet of existing commercial office space into a mixed-use residential development featuring over 700 apartment units, improvements to the public plaza space, and new retail and amenity space designed to activate the street level, including plans for a bodega, coffee shop, children’s museum, child care center, and bookstore. In compliance with Denver’s EHA requirements, at least 70 of the residential units will be restricted to 60% AMI affordability. The two towers occupy an entire block in Upper Downtown and are connected by a shared plaza, an interconnected basement including an underground parking garage, and a link building.
The developer is The Luzzatto Company, working with HLW International, MDP Engineering Group, R&R Engineers, and Thornton Tomasetti. The Beck Group is the construction partner.
In the meeting this week, the DDDA Board of Directors approved a low-interest loan up to $63 million to support the High Fidelity Plaza redevelopment. The total project cost is estimated at $315 million.
“We are grateful for this public support and are committed to being good stewards of the property, the project and the public funds being made available to us,” said Asher Luzzatto, president of The Luzzatto Company. “We look forward to the day when High Fidelity Plaza is full of life and a blueprint for other transformative projects in downtown Denver.”
The Downtown Safety Action Plan, first approved by the Board in 2025, created a dedicated downtown police unit; it also expanded policing resources and provided higher levels of outreach to those who need support. The $7 million grant approved this week will continue to fund 10 dedicated patrol officers through the balance of 2026 as well as 2027.
“I’m proud of the work our Board, and our city, is doing to revitalize downtown across a spectrum of investments through the DDDA, including those that directly address affordability,” said DDDA Board Director and City Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. “When residents can afford to live, work and engage downtown, and feel safe doing so, that makes a tremendous difference in the vibrancy of our downtown and our city as a whole. We hope that these investments continue to inspire both residents and visitors alike to come downtown and invest in our city center.”
The DDDA has now approved over $242 million in support for new retail and entertainment destinations downtown, new parks and public spaces, new housing at a range of price points, and acquisitions for future redevelopment opportunities.
