Urban Villages, a Denver-based real estate firm that focuses on long-term value creation, in partnership with world-renowned architecture practice Studio Gang, revealed the design of a new 145,000-gross-square-foot, 13-story mixed-use building – known as “Populus” – located at 14th Street and Colfax Avenue, immediately adjacent to Civic Center Park.
Populus is designed to reenergize Civic Center Park, connecting the Golden Triangle Creative District to downtown Denver. This architecturally stunning building will include a 250-key hotel, 40 micro-apartments, a public rooftop bar and view deck, a variety of event spaces including an expansive ballroom with views of the Colorado State Capitol, and an activated ground-level lobby with multiple food and beverage offerings.
“As the signature private development on Civic Center Park, Urban Villages felt a responsibility to create a community asset that would contribute to the architectural legacy of the Mountain West and provide 24/7 activation in this underserved area,” said Jon Buerge, chief development officer at Urban Villages. “We have brought together a team that exemplifies this vision – from architecture and design, to sustainability, hospitality, food and beverage and more. Populus will create opportunities for locals and visitors to connect, relax and find inspiration.”
Working closely with the Civic Center Conservancy, Urban Villages is committed to helping restore, enhance and activate Civic Center Park as an important civic and cultural hub for Denver. As Denver’s only National Historical Landmark, Civic Center Park is surrounded by some of the most architecturally significant buildings in Colorado, including the Colorado State Capitol, the Denver City and County Building, the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Public Library.
In order to honor the significance of this prominent site in the heart of Denver, Urban Villages conducted an international search for an architect, interviewing many of the most celebrated firms in the world. Ultimately, Studio Gang was selected because of their inspiring approach to hyper-local, biophilic design and their shared commitment to sustainability. Populus will be Studio Gang’s first building in Colorado, introducing design diversity to the city. In addition to complying with Denver’s Green Building Ordinance, the project will include multiple features designed to improve the building’s operational efficiencies while minimizing its impact on the environment.
Studio Gang, which was recently named among Architectural Digest’s AD100 2021, is known for designs that create connections between people and their environment while enriching the communities in which they are located. The Studio is led by Jeanne Gang, who was named the most influential architect in the world by TIME magazine last year. Populus derives its name from the scientific classification of Colorado’s native aspen tree (Populus tremuloides), which served as inspiration for the building’s unique design.
“Forming an essential interface between inside and outside, the distinctive windows expand the hotel rooms to the city and Rocky Mountains beyond,” said Gang. “Their shape is inspired by the growth pattern seen on the iconic aspen trees of Colorado, whose branches produce ‘eyes’ on the trunks’ surface.”
The project is currently in the building permit process. Construction is expected to begin later in 2021 with the goal of delivery in 2023.
Renderings courtesy of Studio Gang
