Nearly two dozen buildings in Denver have been identified as possible candidates for adaptive reuse which could, in turn, be made available for affordable housing.
In a study jointly conducted by both the City and County of Denver such factors as a building’s proximity to transit, as well as its existing window-to-wall ratio, the shape of the building, and likelihood of window replacement were all considered in compiling the list.
In a statement, Laura Aldrete noted that “Denver has a long history of successful adaptive reuse, and as the study indicates, there is a lot of potential downtown to provide additional housing to help transition from a Central Business District to a Central Neighborhood District.”
Aldrete, executive director of the city’s Department of Community Planning and Development, added that the study is a first step in an effort that will include the building of partnerships to bring about the transition of the structures in question.
It is thought that some 4.3 million square feet of downtown Denver office space could be readapted for residential use. Such office space, at the same time, could lead to the creation of more than 5,000 residential units.
The study was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
City officials have said that a next step in reconverting the office properties will include an outreach to the owners of the buildings to gauge their level of interest.
By Garry Boulard
