New Icon for Denver
A Manhattan developer plans to bring a mammoth skyscraper to downtown Denver. The structure would not only stand as the city’s tallest building, it would dwarf its closest competition.
Downtown Denver has proven to be fertile ground for high-rises in recent years, but Six Fifty 17 represents the largest new structure in Denver since the 1980s.
Greenwich Realty Capital’s 90-story high-rise will rise from 650 17th St., in the heart of Denver’s central business district. The mixed-use structure, Six Fifty 17, would exceed one million square feet (93,000 square meters) in area, and feature 284 luxury condos, a hotel, 22,000 square feet (2,000 square meters) of retail space, and 500 parking spots.
Greenwich co-founder and managing partner Michael Ursini said the structure would rise 1,000 feet (300 meters), which is 286 feet (87 meters) taller than Denver’s current loftiest structure, the 714-foot (218-meter), 56-story Republic Plaza at 370 17th St.
“The building is being constructed to be a very iconic structure right at the axis of the city,” Ursini said. “The idea of the building is to further the progression of the city and create a building that is going to complement the city in a responsible way.”
But the project must first make its way through the city’s approval process.
In late 2016, Greenwich submitted a preliminary project application to the city, but according to Denver Community Planning and Development spokeswoman Andrea Burns, no formal site plans are in.
Ursini emphasized the project, which is being designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, is “100 percent going forward,” and aims to break ground in the summer of 2018.
The 25,000-square-foot (2,300-square-meter) site of Six Fifty 17 is owned by Paradise Land Co. Paradise top executive Buzz Geller said the property is under contract to sell to Greenwich, a deal he expects to close in “a short period of time.” It carries a $400 million price tag.
If completed, Six Fifty 17 would be the 19th tallest in the US.
Carlos Ott