Northeast Denver Housing Center: Moline at Stapleton affordable apartments

Developed by Northeast Denver Housing Center, designed by Cuningham Group and built by Palace Construction, the Moline at Stapleton apartments will provide a home for 180 families earning up to 60% of Denver’s area median income and distributed among one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Project amenities include multiple community spaces, bike storage, a children’s play area, 206 parking spaces, and easy access to transportation, shopping and health care.

“Placing housing units in communities of opportunity where you find good transportation access, shopping, jobs and schools is key for the long-term well-being of residents and their dependents,” said Getabecha “Gete” Mekonnen, executive director NDHC.

The project is among the first completed new construction projects to receive funding from Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund.

“The process of delivering affordable homes throughout Denver is more important than ever, and requires the commitment and support of numerous entities,” said Tasha Jones, senior director of marketing and community relations for Brookfield Properties’ mixed-use division. Brookfield Properties (formerly Forest City) donated the land and financial support. “We are working with local builders and the city of Denver to continue our commitment to build affordable homes in the Stapleton community, delivering a diverse mix of affordable housing options in one of Denver’s largest master planned redevelopments. ”

The landscape is another carefully considered amenity, which comes together to create three distinct environments that focus on the ideas of rest, gather and play. Rest promotes rejuvenation and relaxation by connecting the fitness and yoga studio with an outdoor zen space. Gather has a focus on bringing people together around a community demo kitchen, lounge and outdoor grill area. Play provides an interactive landscape with a playground structure to encourage use by all ages.

“The development is intended to address the isolation of affordable housing and instead foster connectivity with the community through massing and scale, along with pedestrian walkways,” said Erik Okland, principal of Cuningham Group. “The groups of units create small communities within the development, nurturing strong ties between neighbors and making a more welcoming environment for residents.”

Other public finance partners include the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, FirstBank, RBC Capital and the state of Colorado. Denver Economic Development & Opportunity provided $2.6 million from the housing fund in gap financing for the $36 million project.

Published in the Aug. 21-Sept. 2, 2019, issue of CREJ.