The Opus Group, Principal begin building 1919 Mile High Apartments

The Opus Group and joint venture partner Principal Real Estate Investors began construction on 1919 Mile High Apartments, a new multifamily development near Empower Field at Mile High. The 277-unit building will offer a range of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom options.

Opus is the developer, design builder, interior designer, and architect and structural engineer of record. Principal Real Estate Investors is the financial partner for the project.

Located at 1919 Mile High Stadium Circle in the Jefferson Park neighborhood, the 363,000-square foot building will include an above-grade parking structure with 288 stalls and bike storage.

Asked about the design inspiration, “(It) developed around the challenging site context and topography,” said Mandel Cameron, AIA, project designer at Opus.

“The project’s front door was located on the rear lot line to tie to the pedestrian regional trail that links the project to the vibrant Jefferson Park neighborhood, Mile High Stadium District and Platte River.”

The project’s design inspiration was also the biggest design challenge.

“The site has two primary access points on opposite sides of the project and has a three-story fall on a long and narrow site,” Cameron said. The design solution ultimately connects Stadium Circle Drive at the first story to a third floor lobby with direct access to the regional trail. “This created a barbell amenity design linked by a pool deck on level 4. The pool deck then links west social amenities, clubrooms and lobby with the east side active amenities, fitness center, yoga, golf simulator, creating a rich delivery of amenities and access points responding to the existing conditions.” These amenities maximize the views of the mountains, stadium and city with resident amenity decks located throughout the project, according to Cameron.

“The project also includes a second front door on Mile High Circle Drive to respond to the city of Denver’s urban design requirements,” Cameron said. “The east side of the project has a 12-story glass volume that cuts through the building at an angle revealing the project’s multiple amenity decks.” The glass volume maximizes views of the city and mountains, while also paying homage to the angled mountain tops on the horizon to the west, he said.

“The project utilizes a bold and timeless material palette of high-quality materials as it showcases along the I-25 frontage,” Cameron said. And, “Our favorite part of the façade design is the bold contrast between the white stucco and black brick volumes against the 12-story angular glass volume on the east façade facing the city.”

Cameron’s favorite experiential part of the design are the amenity decks “created by the juxtaposition of the glass angular form and rectangular brick and stucco forms located vertically through the project.” The three amenity decks include a pool deck that overlooks the stadium with grill area, lounge areas, lap pool and spa; a level-4 deck that provides an outdoor yoga room tied to the active amenities; and a level-12 city skyline view deck off the clubroom.

“Due to the high demand for housing across downtown and its nearby neighborhoods, we know Jefferson Park is a prime area that appeals to young professionals who are seeking housing within walking distance of work, entertainment, retail and public transportation,” said Joe Swensson, senior manager of real estate development at Opus.

This marks the third multifamily project for Opus in the greater Denver market. The Glenn, located in Centennial, was completed in May 2018, and Verve, in the Lower Downtown-inspired redevelopment area, was completed in 2014.

The project is scheduled for completion in early 2022.

Published in the July 15-Aug. 4, 2020, issue of CREJ.