By Sean Campbell, CEO of FORMATIV
At what point should a development team prioritize the public realm? In Denver’s current development landscape of high inflation, persistently elevated construction costs, and ongoing permitting hurdles, is it better to take the traditional route for a large-scale, mixed-use and wait until core structures are in place to fill in the ground plane?
Or is there a distinct advantage to early activation — adding parks, gathering spaces, and facilities before vertical construction — to build community (and investor) confidence and create compelling, development-ready pads with a tangible sense of place on day one? For Denargo Market, the largest infill project currently underway in Denver, the development team is betting on the latter.
When horizontal construction broke ground last fall, the development team at Golub & Company and FORMATIV prioritized the creation of public-facing amenities, including a revamped dog park and brand-new sports court, which just delivered this October. These public-facing amenities (and many more slated to deliver Q3 next year) are foundational to our strategy of activating this previously underserved area, attracting locals, and signaling our commitment to the community during this phase of construction.
And we are banking on these early assets doing more than just beautifying the 17-acre infill site. These amenities are already generating buzz, fostering community buy-in, and creating the infrastructure for long-term placemaking success.
Addressing a Community Gap
Denargo Market occupies a unique pocket between Denver’s evolving downtown and the arts-rich RiNo Art District. Bordered by the South Platte River to the west, Brighton Boulevard to the east, and the Light Rail to the north, this area has experienced substantial growth in mid-rise residential development. However, this growth has come without a corresponding investment in public amenities.
Lacking public spaces, retail options, and safe pedestrian routes, Denargo Market was missing critical components of desirable and vibrant urban neighborhoods. The development team saw the potential to fill this gap by bringing vital infrastructure and shared spaces before any vertical construction took shape.
The development team, led by Golub & Company and FORMATIV, chose to start with the public realm for two key reasons: first, to create development-ready pads that would fit into a larger urban vision suitable for higher density multifamily, mixed-use/office, and hospitaity, and second, to meet an immediate community need for gathering spaces and outdoor amenities.
By designing and activating four acres of public green space, Denargo Market will stitch itself thoughtfully into the fabric of the city, providing value to residents who had previously lacked any meaningful outdoor and recreational spaces in this area.
Building Connectivity and Infrastructure from the Ground Up
To lay the groundwork for a truly connected neighborhood, Denargo Market’s initial efforts are focused on infrastructure improvements — the essential foundation for urban growth. Protected bike lanes, well-lit walkways, and pedestrian sidewalks were among the first investments, ensuring that the area would connect seamlessly to surrounding neighborhoods. These improvements, especially the pedestrian pathways and protected bike lanes, are critical in transforming Denargo Market into a “five-minute city” where people can meet their daily needs within a short walk or bike ride.
This approach helps create a place where residents and visitors can access housing, retail, recreation, and green spaces, all within close reach. By prioritizing these elements early on, we are enshrining this methodology for the future mixed-use development that will come; a place that truly facilitates a healthy, walkable lifestyle and brings value to future residential, office, and retail spaces.
Starting with Public Spaces: A Framework for Community Engagement
This initial phase also includes the creation of amenities that cater to a variety of interests and age groups. For example, the new sports courts, designed for basketball and pickleball, provide designated space for active recreation and social gatherings. Nearby, the upgraded dog park offers landscaped areas where residents and their pets can connect safely outdoors, encouraging community interaction and serving as a central gathering point. When fully built out next year, there will be a nature-based playground along the river and a community garden operated by Denver Urban Gardens.
These early investments in public space are about fostering community for the entire area. Amenities like the sports court and dog park provide essential infrastructure for social engagement, encouraging people to experience Denargo Market as a destination well before future phases are built. Adjacent multifamily communities have shared that their residents have already set up Pickleball leagues following the amenities opening in October. They are already an asset to the surrounding community.
Reinforcing Connections and Building Momentum
Beyond the immediate impact, Denargo Market’s initial phase is part of a larger strategy to link the neighborhood with surrounding districts and downtown Denver.
The project creates easy access to Denver’s riverfront trail system, connecting the area with the South Platte River enabling folks to easily bike, walk, or scoot to Denver’s LoDo and Union Station neighborhoods. Planned green spaces, a half-acre lawn, and a pedestrian plaza will further expand outdoor options for the community while fostering a sense of shared ownership among residents. These spaces will link the site to future development, creating a framework that allows for natural growth in residential and commercial spaces.
This place-led approach also allows the neighborhood to evolve organically, with future vertical developments filling in around these established gathering spaces. By engaging the public realm first, the team provides long-term value for future tenants who benefit from well-designed public spaces and activation from day one, which has the added benefit of increasing the value of nearby commercial, hospitality and residential developments.
Lessons Learned: Public Realm as a Development Foundation
Our goal is for Denargo Market to be a model for future urban-infill developments that seek to integrate into an urban ecosystem while addressing specific community needs. In this case, starting with public amenities will help fill a longstanding gap and provide the neighborhood with a tangible value-add. The public-first strategy enables a smoother integration of later vertical developments, building a cohesive community that doesn’t feel segmented by infrastructure gaps. This will ultimately transform a previously overlooked part of the city into a real destination, connecting people and places in ways that foster a lasting sense of community and belonging.
