AC Development and its anchor tenant CoorsTek, Inc., along with their design and construction partners, Holder Construction and Tryba Architects, celebrated the topping out of Clayworks Building B3 on Thursday, May 8, 2025, marking a major milestone in one of the most notable mixed-use developments in Golden’s history.
The topping out ceremony celebrates the placement of the final steel beam atop the first building at Clayworks, a weighty symbolic moment for the construction, design and engineering teams as well as for numerous stakeholders. This event brought together project partners to recognize the impressive scale of collective work that has gone into making this vision a reality.
Clayworks Building B3, also known as 800 Ford Street, is a four-story office building sitting atop a below-grade parking structure. The 182,000-square foot structure includes 10,000 square-feet of ground-floor restaurant space and 172,000 SF of Class AA office space. CoorsTek and related entities will occupy the top two floors comprising approximately two-thirds of the all-electric building. Discussions are underway with prospective tenants for the balance of the space. The highly innovative and sustainable building, which will be powered by a 180-kW solar array on its roof and 42 geothermal wells each 500 feet deep, is slated to achieve LEED-Gold, LEED-Zero, and WELL certifications.
“This is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to honor the people and history that laid the foundation for this next chapter,” CoorsTek Co-CEO and AC Development Board Director Michael Coors said. “For my family, it’s incredibly meaningful to witness the transformation of this historic site into something that will serve Golden for generations to come. We’re honored to breathe life into a space that champions opportunity and contributes meaningfully to the fabric of this community.”
Construction of Building B3 is part of the initial phase of transforming the former industrial facility into the Clayworks mixed-use district. When this phase of construction is completed in early 2026, Clayworks will be served by three new plazas, two new streets, an abundance of new parking facilities, and multiple unique food and beverage operations. At full build-out, Clayworks is planned to include additional office buildings, apartment buildings, retail spaces, and a boutique hotel. In all, the district located at 9th Street and Washington Avenue is planned for nearly 1.25 million square feet across the project’s six city blocks in lovely downtown Golden, Colorado.
After more than a century, the site of the Coors family’s original CoorsTek (formerly Coors Porcelain Company) ceramics facility is being thoughtfully reimagined as a walkable, sustainable, and innovative district designed to become a destination for food lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and forward-thinking businesses. The district will bring lasting benefits to the community like job creation, Golden’s first affordable housing component of its kind, new retail and commercial opportunities and welcoming public spaces that honor the town’s historic character and commitment to innovation. The district will also be home to CoorsTek’s new state-of-the-art global headquarters, bringing the company’s legacy full circle.
“We’re incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and what this project stands for,” AC Development President Dan Cohen said. “Our team continues to lead a deeply collaborative effort, rooted in our commitment to lasting growth and meaningful placemaking. We’re making a long-term investment in the health, prosperity and character of Golden, and we look forward to welcoming future tenants and community members who similarly appreciate the unique charm and natural beauty of Golden.”
Echoing Golden’s nature-oriented ethos, Clayworks is a recent recipient of a Geothermal Energy Grant from the Colorado Energy Office, enabling the installation of geothermal heat pumps and thermal energy networks to deliver low-cost, energy-efficient heating and cooling. The development has also adopted a comprehensive district-wide zero carbon target and wellness strategy that represents the deepest sustainability program ever adopted in Golden. Rooted in its dedication to creating extraordinary urban places built on a foundation of commitments to both the local community and a healthy planet, AC Development prioritized environmentally sustainable practices throughout the design and build phases.
This approach aligned seamlessly with Tryba Architects’ values as a leader in urban and environmentally conscious design. Tryba served as both the master planner for the Clayworks district and as architect for Building B3. “When you design for a place as deeply anchored in history and values as this site in Golden, it is vital to honor its unique context while imagining what is possible for its future,” Brent Bartels of Tryba Architects said. “Every line, every element of this structure was thoughtfully considered to balance innovation with heritage. We could not be more thrilled to see it take shape.”
At full completion, the project is expected to generate hundreds of permanent jobs, support local businesses, and provide much-needed space for new and growing companies. Leasing opportunities are currently available for both retail and office tenants. Unanimously approved by the Golden City Council, Clayworks is being constructed with a collection of new and restored buildings and artifacts.
“Reaching this point is a true testament to the teamwork, craftsmanship and dedication that has gone into every phase of construction,” Mike Duwel of Holder Construction said. “We’re honored to build a structure that serves a greater mission; to uplift the local economy, support the environment and bring people together. Seeing the final beam placed is always special, but this one is especially meaningful.”
To learn more about Clayworks, please visit www.clayworksgolden.com.
