Expanding on its ongoing efforts to revitalize Pearl Street Mall’s East End, Unico Properties LLC recently secured additional long-term leases with three new tenants and collaborated with community partners to install a large-scale public mural.
Unico, who has been acquiring, managing, and developing commercial properties in Colorado for more than 13 years, added Popsockets, Integral, and the Hillman Group to its already extensive Pearl Street real estate portfolio.
“The additions of Popsockets, Integral, and The Hillman Group represent our continued commitment to the vitality of Pearl Street Mall’s East End through a strategic blend of national and local brands that will enhance downtown Boulder’s energy and charisma,” said Billy Woodward, Unico’s Colorado market leader and director. “These three tenants combined with the addition of public art will contribute to a vibrant, diverse downtown area while boosting Boulder’s economic strength.”
Popsockets, a global digital-lifestyle company that sells empowering, fun, and expressive products that help people phone better, will be moving into a 6,824-square-foot space within the Citizens National Bank building. Also, new to the Citizens National Bank building is The Hillman Group, an industry leader in builder solutions, who will be moving into an 8,031-square-foot space. Integral, a consulting firm, will be relocating from Lafayette to a 5,523-square-foot unit at 1701 Pearl Street.
These recent additions follow a slew of impactful retail additions to Pearl Street’s East End in recent years. Patagonia, Avanti, Sweetgreen, and Postino WineCafe are among several businesses that have come to occupy spaces in the area since 2019. Pearl Street continues to see a resurgence in activity post-pandemic and, despite accounting for just 14% of downtown Boulder’s inventory, the iconic pedestrian mall accounted for 24% of total leasing activity downtown in 2022. With the addition of these three leases, Pearl Street retail spaces are now 94% leased and office spaces are 70% leased.
Unico also led efforts to revitalize the East End district through public art. Green Harmony, a mural by local artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler, came to life recently in the pedestrian alley on the 1400 block of Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. The mural was created as part of the Street Wise Boulder’s 2022 ARTivism Mural Festival to celebrate Boulder’s art scene and commitment to sustainability, and to activate the well-trafficked pedestrian thru-way to create a safer, more welcoming experience for those who travel through the alleyway.
Unico’s efforts align with the Downtown Boulder Partnership’s vision for the East End to be a district for creative spirits, foodies, adventure seekers, and trend-setters. While the area draws tourists, it’s heavily trafficked by locals. Downtown Boulder sees eight to 10 visits every 90 days by 53 percent of area residents.