Ground has been broken for a creative new office building that is to head a long-planned revitalization of the Brighton Boulevard corridor and River North neighborhood.
The office building is planned to house 120,000 square-foot Industry space and will host 350 to 400 professionals in a creative, collaborative community.
With support from the City of Denver Jason and Ellen Winkler, the co-founders of the vibrant Battery 621, secured a $1 million acquisition loan from the city to help buy the underutilized 1939 former produce depot on nine acres.
This renovation is just one part of the City’s big designs for Denver's industrial north end. Other transformations will include a realignment of Interstate 70, improving the South Platte River's ecosystem, new light rail stations, neighborhood revitalization, repositioning the National Western Stock Show as a year-round destination and shining up the tired Brighton Boulevard as a gateway to the city. The Denver Office of Economic Development identified the corridor as a "key strategic project" in its Jumpstart 2013 strategy, with a plan to provide loans to stir business development and employment along Brighton Boulevard.
"We think Brighton Boulevard is really shaping up to be a key development area for the city," said Paul Washington, director of the city's office of economic development.
"I think Jason and Ellen ... they are true visionaries in how they are redefining the workplace for the 21st century employee," Washington said.
Industry Denver, which has partnered with Denver developer Koelbel and Co., closed on the property last Tuesday and began interior renovations the next morning. After a brief renovation, Industry is scheduled to be open for tenants by February 2014. Future phases of development include 250 affordable and market-rate residential units. The building will host about 100,000 square feet of office space and three eateries in an open setting, with 26-foot ceilings and shared kitchens, lounges and conference spaces.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24260143/industry-denver-workspace-brighton-blvd-host-400-professionals
