OZ Architecture, an international architecture, planning, and design firm based in Denver, together with developer Stapleton Equity Partners and Palisade Partners, have completed The Ayden, a new 117-unit multifamily property at 4228 Kalamath St, in Denver’s historic Sunnyside neighborhood.
The three-story project, spanning 132,400 square feet, is the culmination of years of collaboration to rezone and develop the site, prioritizing density without displacement. The City Council, Sunnyside United Neighbors, Inc. (SUNI), a registered neighborhood organization’s board, and neighbors worked together to envision new possibilities for the area as part of the Near Northwest Neighborhood Planning Initiative.
“The Ayden’s design and execution was a true collaboration between partners,” said Matt Mueller, director of design and construction with Palisade Partners. “From interiors to creating parking solutions that incorporated into the site’s natural grade, this entire project team worked to ensure the project integrated seamlessly into the Sunnyside district.”
The Ayden was conceived as a gateway project into the historic Northside neighborhood, contributing to the transformation of Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood from a former industrial corridor into a TOD-centric residential district. Because the site was previously a vacant parking lot, no single-family structures were removed for the development of this site, eliminating the displacement of families from the neighborhood that can be typical of infill multifamily developments.
“Our team drew inspiration from the surrounding neighborhood, including the historic Horace Mann School and classic brick bungalows, to deliver a place connected to its context but with a funky modern interpretation,” said Matt Chiodini, principal with OZ Architecture. “The design started from a simple premise: imagine traveling through the Highland neighborhoods towards the light rail station along 42nd Street, taking in the beautiful details of the single-family homes and historic brick school buildings. Arriving at the intersection of 42nd and Kalamath, you arrive at The Ayden: a reinterpretation of the sloped roofs and materiality, weaving together old and new.”
The Ayden’s units are laid out to maximize density within its three-quarter block area while still providing larger two and three-bedroom units, directly addressing the community’s need for family-friendly housing options. The project’s community amenities include a mid-block internal courtyard designed by Dig Studio, reminiscent of 1930s apartment complexes, a 100-stall parking garage, a fitness center, a bar and lounge area, and a pet wash area. In-unit features in the studio, one and two-bedroom units include modern kitchens with stainless steel appliances, LVT flooring, walk-in closets and in-unit washers and dryers, ample natural light, and Juliet or walk-out balconies in select units.
In addition to the design team — OZ Architecture’s Urban Living and Interiors Practice Areas — partners on the project included Brinkmann Constructors, Fortis Structural, BG Buildingworks, HKS Engineering, and Group14 Engineering.
The Ayden is pre-leasing now. For more information, visit https://cornerstoneapartments.com/our-buildings/the-ayden/.
