The core of a proposed hotel would be a new structure erected on the parking lot at the corner of 17th and Blake streets. (Matthew Geiger photos)
Randy Nichols has vertical dreams for a pair of parking lots in LoDo.
Randy Nichols
His Denver-based development firm Nichols Partnership has submitted development proposals for two projects in the neighborhood in recent weeks — one of which would be a hotel, and the second of which is billed as something of a hybrid.
A Nichols executive declined to comment on the submissions. The company recently completed its five-story One Platte office building at 1701 Platte St., where Robinhood signed a lease. Nichols is also in the process of converting the former Art Institute of Colorado building in Cap Hill into an apartment building.
Both of the new proposals were submitted prior to June 30, part of a surge of submissions before new regulations affecting developers became law.
The residential property at 1702 Wazee St., across an alley from the parking lot, would be incorporated into the hotel.
Blake street hotel would incorporate existing structures
In late June, the company submitted a concept plan to the city for the corner of 17th and Blake Street.
Nichols proposed an eight-story, 125-unit hotel on the current 1709 Blake St. parking lot, which would connect to and incorporate the existing adjacent three-story office building at 1725 Blake St. and the residential building across the alley at 1702 Wazee St.
The plans call for two levels of underground parking with 88 spaces and retail and lobby space on the ground floor of the new structure. Guest rooms would begin on the second floor.
The existing buildings would become amenity space for the hotel. The 1725 Blake building would have an event space on the lower levels, and a fitness center and spa above that, according to the plans. The 1702 Wazee building would incorporate restaurant space. Plans call for it to be connected to the hotel by an enclosed bridge over the alley.
The three-story office building at 1725 Blake St. would be turned into event, spa and gym space for a new hotel.
“Together, the culmination of the new and existing structures is envisioned to transform the corner by physically linking all three buildings and providing an improved urban streetscape at the corner of 17th and Blake,” the submissions states.
Shears Adkins Rockmore is the architect listed on the plans. The total development site, counting the footprint of the buildings that would remain, is about 0.78 acres; the parking lot that would be developed is about 0.43 acres.
The properties are owned by entities that list an office address corresponding to that of Cherry Creek Family Offices, which says it manages investments for high net worth families. An executive there did not respond to a request for comment.
Concept plans are an early-stage development proposal, and plans could change.
Nichols Partnership purchased the 1480 Wewatta St. parking lot in 2016, records show.
Wewatta Street project billed as downtown’s first ‘apart-hotel’
In late May, Nichols also submitted a concept plan for 1480 Wewatta St., a 6,135-square-foot corner parking lot that’s five blocks from the 17th and Blake site. The company purchased the property in 2016, records show.
On its website, Nichols says it plans to build a 12-story building on the lot with 89 furnished studio and one-bedroom units.
The company bills the project as downtown’s first “apart-hotel,” saying units would be “available for flexible short- and mid-term stays, offering turnkey living with concierge services.”
The core of a proposed hotel would be a new structure erected on the parking lot at the corner of 17th and Blake streets. (Matthew Geiger photos)
Randy Nichols has vertical dreams for a pair of parking lots in LoDo.
Randy Nichols
His Denver-based development firm Nichols Partnership has submitted development proposals for two projects in the neighborhood in recent weeks — one of which would be a hotel, and the second of which is billed as something of a hybrid.
A Nichols executive declined to comment on the submissions. The company recently completed its five-story One Platte office building at 1701 Platte St., where Robinhood signed a lease. Nichols is also in the process of converting the former Art Institute of Colorado building in Cap Hill into an apartment building.
Both of the new proposals were submitted prior to June 30, part of a surge of submissions before new regulations affecting developers became law.
The residential property at 1702 Wazee St., across an alley from the parking lot, would be incorporated into the hotel.
Blake street hotel would incorporate existing structures
In late June, the company submitted a concept plan to the city for the corner of 17th and Blake Street.
Nichols proposed an eight-story, 125-unit hotel on the current 1709 Blake St. parking lot, which would connect to and incorporate the existing adjacent three-story office building at 1725 Blake St. and the residential building across the alley at 1702 Wazee St.
The plans call for two levels of underground parking with 88 spaces and retail and lobby space on the ground floor of the new structure. Guest rooms would begin on the second floor.
The existing buildings would become amenity space for the hotel. The 1725 Blake building would have an event space on the lower levels, and a fitness center and spa above that, according to the plans. The 1702 Wazee building would incorporate restaurant space. Plans call for it to be connected to the hotel by an enclosed bridge over the alley.
The three-story office building at 1725 Blake St. would be turned into event, spa and gym space for a new hotel.
“Together, the culmination of the new and existing structures is envisioned to transform the corner by physically linking all three buildings and providing an improved urban streetscape at the corner of 17th and Blake,” the submissions states.
Shears Adkins Rockmore is the architect listed on the plans. The total development site, counting the footprint of the buildings that would remain, is about 0.78 acres; the parking lot that would be developed is about 0.43 acres.
The properties are owned by entities that list an office address corresponding to that of Cherry Creek Family Offices, which says it manages investments for high net worth families. An executive there did not respond to a request for comment.
Concept plans are an early-stage development proposal, and plans could change.
Nichols Partnership purchased the 1480 Wewatta St. parking lot in 2016, records show.
Wewatta Street project billed as downtown’s first ‘apart-hotel’
In late May, Nichols also submitted a concept plan for 1480 Wewatta St., a 6,135-square-foot corner parking lot that’s five blocks from the 17th and Blake site. The company purchased the property in 2016, records show.
On its website, Nichols says it plans to build a 12-story building on the lot with 89 furnished studio and one-bedroom units.
The company bills the project as downtown’s first “apart-hotel,” saying units would be “available for flexible short- and mid-term stays, offering turnkey living with concierge services.”
