Denver is an amazingly healthy city.  It could be the 300+ days of sunshine.  It could be our wonderful climate and each of our gorgeous four seasons.  It could be the many biking and running trails throughout the city or our Rocky Mountain backyard.

It might be all of the above.

Whatever the cause, Denver is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest cities in the U.S. and all of us at SPIRE thought that was pretty special.  Embracing healthy living was a core value for SPIRE.  That drove the creation of the spacious fitness center, the multiple spas and pools, the yoga floor and the Zen garden.  It was important that homeowners in SPIRE could find both fitness and wellness features for their Denver lifestyle.   SPIRE homeowners might relax with a run on the treadmill, a early morning yoga class, some weight training on state-of-the-art fitness machines, or a simple soak at the end of the day. Healthy living at SPIRE is easy.

After considering the amenities in the building, our SPIRE design team looked at the lifestyle that continues after you walk out the front door.  The location of SPIRE was selected for its proximity to the light rail, the 16th Street shuttle, and the Cherry Creek bike and running paths.  The website “Walk Score” gave our address of 891 14th Street a perfect 100 out of 100 for walkability and named SPIRE a “Walkers Paradise”.  Need the occasional bike or car as well???  No worries.    If your healthy lifestyle plan is to live car optional, SPIRE is here to help.  SPIRE residents enjoy free memberships to both Bcycle and Connect by Hertz.

SPIRE Perfect 100 Walkscore August 16th 2010

Congratulations Denver, on continually being ranked as one of the most healthy cities to live in.  We like the idea of healthy living so much we made it part of the SPIRE design.  To learn more about healthy high rise living at SPIRE or our LEED® design elements, please contact our sales team at 720-457-7550.

Denver Business Journal Book of Lists

So much has been discussed about the many awards SPIRE   has received as a residential tower that we almost forgot to mention what is happening in the world of commercial development.  The Nichols Partnership, Inc., developer of SPIRE, was recognized in the Denver Business Journal Book of Lists as #3 on the list of Denver Area Commercial Real Estate Developers.   With projects including Clayton Lane, Janus Capital Group World Headquarters, 1899 Wynkoop and 17th and Larimer, there are a number of reasons why.  Here is a list of some of the Denver projects by the Nichols Partnership that you may be familiar with.

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Clayton Lane by The Nichols Partnership, Inc.

Clayton Lane is Denver’s premier mixed-use development.  Emerging over four years from a 9.5 acre infill site, Clayton Lane transformed a 650-car parking lot into a dynamic and vibrant mixed-use district. The integrated development contains 700,000 sf of space including a corporate headquarters office building for Janus Capital Group, a 4-star JW Marriott hotel, unique lifestyle retail including Crate & Barrel, Whole Foods and 25 high-end residential condominiums. The quality urban design, architecture, mix of uses, building materials and the relationship of the buildings to the street and the Cherry Creek district, create an environment that is authentic, inviting, pedestrian-friendly and multi-dimensional.

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Janus Building by The Nichols Partnership, Inc.

Janus Capital Group – Home to the world headquarter offices of Janus Capital Group, this Class AA, 160,000 sf building established the Cherry Creek submarket as a premier corporate address.  The building is a modern composition of German limestone and metal fins over glass curtain wall and is located at 1st Avenue and Detroit Street, the entrance to Cherry Creek.

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1899 Wynkoop by The Nichols Partnership, Inc.

1899 Wynkoop – Completed in 2000 adjacent to Coors Field, this nine-story building offers 175,000 sf of prime office space. 1899 Wynkoop is recognized as a model for new development in Denver’s Lower Downtown Historic District.

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17th and Larimer by The Nichols Partnership, Inc.

17th & Larimer is an eight-story, 120,000 sf office building located in downtown Denver’s Central Business District.  Nichols Partnership is working to  revitalize this Class B asset through an extensive building renovation program which includes a facade redesign and reconstruction, complete remodel of all building common areas, and extensive upgrades to the building’s mechanical systems.

Upon completion, this LEED® registered project will qualify for LEED® certification.  The upgrades will combine to create an overall clean contemporary aesthetic enabling 17th & Larimer to re-brand and re-announce itself as a Class A corporate address in the 17th Street financial corridor.

The Nichols Partnership takes extreme care in every detail of each project.  From the various commercial or mixed use developments to the 42 story residential tower of SPIRE,  the building itself and the relationship within its community are part of a common vision to create value for the use and enjoyment of  residents, tenants and neighbors.  As we discuss SPIRE with its wonderful amenities and features,  we  encourage you to visit The Nichols Partnership, Inc . website (www.nicholspartnership.com)  and learn more about their long tradition of contributing quality development projects to Denver’s growth and improvement.

To learn more about SPIRE please contact our sales center at 720-457-7550 or visit www.spiredenver.com.  To learn more about The Nichols Partnership, Inc. please visit www.nicholspartnership.com.

SPIRE Amenity Level 9th Floor

SPIRE was in the news again this past week with another great announcement. The Denver Business Journal published an article titled “Denver’s Spire skyscraper finished early and under budget”.

Finished Early, Under Budget.  We love to share good news and the team at SPIRE continues to be focused on exceeding expectations in every way we can.  Here is an excerpt from the Denver Business Journal Article.

Construction has been completed on downtown Denver’s 42-story Spire condo project, a month ahead of schedule and under budget, according to general contractor JE Dunn Construction Co.

The $175 million, 496-unit high-rise is located at 14th and Champa streets, in downtown’s theater district.

“Although there were challenges along the way, as with any construction project, this project demonstrated the successes that can be achieved through effective teamwork,” Dustin Liljehorn, Dunn senior project manager, said in a statement.

Project challenges included difficulties getting a construction loan, the soft metro-area housing market and security issues caused by the 2008 Democratic National Convention being held right across the street at the Colorado Convention Center.

Liljehorn pointed out that timely decision-making by project developer The Nichols Partnership Inc. and architecture firm RNL Design Inc., both of Denver, allowed construction run relatively smoothly.

The Nichols Partnership has been marketing Spire units since mid-July, and condo sales should start to close soon with the building’s completion. Unit prices start in the low $200,000s and go up to $1 million-plus for premium residences.

Spire incentives to buyers have included a $35,000 credit that can be put toward the purchase price or used to buy appliance upgrades, parking or extra storage. The developer has also encouraged buyers who qualify to use federal homebuyer tax credits, which expire in April 2010, to buy units.

We would like to thank the folks at J.E. Dunn Construction and at RNL, both of whom invested their considerable expertise and experience into SPIRE for our future residences.   The focus has always been to offer SPIRE homeowners the absolute best of the best in finishes, amenities, views, and location all at an attainable price.  Now with the current first time home buyers incentives, there exists an even greater value at SPIRE.  Sometimes everything just falls into place, but not without a lot of hard work.

And we would be remiss if we didn’t share another excerpt from the article that highlighted one of our favorite design benefits of SPIRE…

The property is pursuing LEED certification, and expects to be one of the largest condo projects in the country with that certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating for sustainable buildings.

Spire’s “green” features include using recycled and regional construction materials and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and being close to mass transit such as light rail and bus stops.

Please feel free to visit the SPIRE Experience Center at 890 14th street or contact us at 720-457-7550 to learn more about SPIRE or schedule a private tour.