DENVER (July 16, 2010) – This summer, Rocky Mountain PBS will begin filming the interior design show – ‘The Designer Within’ – where three contestants go head-to-head to design one of three 1,697-square-foot SPIRE homes.  Scheduled to premier on November 17th, 2010, the new reality show will benefit the Kempe Foundation.  The question becomes, “who has what it takes to turn an amazing city home into an exceptional place to live?”
With dozens of applicants vying for a chance to compete on ‘The Designer Within’, SPIRE hosted  an exclusive launch event this past Saturday, inviting the potential contestants to meet one of the selected judges, SPIRE developers and the Kempe Foundation.

SPIRE developers Randy Nichols and Chris Crosby were present to talk about the technology, the architectural design and the ethos behind the nationally-recognized, multi-family building with LEED® certification.  The Kempe Foundation (a world leader in child abuse treatment and prevention programs for more than 40 years) was also there to acknowledge the benefit they will receive from the show.

It will be exciting to see the TV cameras and crews and watch from the sidelines as the designers bring new life to these three SPIRE homes.  With everything SPIRE has to offer (location, amenities, pricing), we are proud to claim 891 14th Street as home!  Come see for yourself.

For more information on SPIRE and ‘The Designer Within’, visit www.spiredenver.com and http://www.cheeseandcrackers.tv/tdw/.

Sustainable and Attainable….. that was one of the first descriptions used for SPIRE.  Attainable referred to the attractive pricing for condo residences in the heart of downtown Denver.  Sustainable referred to the fact that SPIRE was designed and built pursuing the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED® criteria.  For a building to qualify for LEED® certification, a certain number of points must be earned in various categories within the scope of sustainable design.   It’s something everyone working on SPIRE felt was important and more importantly,  it’s something our homeowners valued.   With such things as air quality, daylight access, materials, location, and operating efficiency for utilities involved, it’s a pretty important part of a home.  For many of our residents, living in a sustainable building is on the “must have” list when selecting a home.

All of us at SPIRE would like to thank  everyone who contributed to this achievement.  We were  fortunate to have such an incredible team of design, architecture, and construction experts to make this goal a reality.

To learn more about SPIRE or to tour any of our residences, please contact our sales center at 720-457-97550.  Cheers and here is a copy of the official release.

SPIRE ACHIEVES LEED® CERTIFICATION
High-rise provides sustainably designed high-performance condominium homes in Downtown Denver

DENVER (June 23, 2010) – RNL today announced SPIRE’s attainment of the LEED-NC Certified designation, as verified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).  Developed by The Nichols Partnership, Inc. and built by JE Dunn Construction Company, SPIRE is a dynamic new urban community showcasing sustainable high-performance homes and a 41-story residential lifestyle overlooking both the Rocky Mountains and Downtown Denver.

Even in times of acute national focus on sustainability only a handful of multifamily projects in the United States have been able to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, considered as the platinum standard in green construction and design.  In addition, SPIRE is one of the largest LEED Certified condominium towers in the country, and the only LEED certified condo high rise in Colorado.  RNL served as the LEED administrator for the project, providing tremendous commitment to and investment in designing and building a high-performance building.

Doug Spuler, AIA, LEED AP, RNL, principal and project director for SPIRE congratulated the team, saying, “The Nichols Partnership embraced the LEED registration process and truly understood the benefits of providing a modern, sustainable option for Downtown residents.”

With 496 sustainably-designed condominium homes in an urban location, SPIRE introduces natural daylight, enhanced indoor air quality, energy saving design, potable water use reduction, inclusion of regionally harvested and recycled content materials, innovative transportation solutions and 100% utilization of  electricity from renewable energy sources to make SPIRE not only an amazing addition to the Denver skyline but a unique opportunity to own a high performance home and live a sustainable lifestyle.

LEED metrics are focused on energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Some of SPIRE’s sustainable features include:
·         Over 90% of all regularly occupied spaces provide direct line of sight views and access to daylight
·         100% Green Power, renewable energy contract to provide renewable electricity for the building
·         61.4% reduction in potable water consumption from a calculated baseline by using native plants, drip irrigation and moisture sensors
·         26.5% reduction in potable water use due to utilization of reduced-flow lavatory, kitchen sink faucets and shower heads, dual flush toilets, and waterless urinals
·         Improved Indoor Environmental Quality through enhanced air filtration, low-emitting materials for paint, coatings and carpets
·         Commitment to recycling with a dedicated single stream recycling chute located on all occupied floors
·         Transportation options that augment a 97/100 walk score (one of the highest scores in Denver) include 180+ bike racks, motor scooter and motorcycle parking, discounts on Low Emission Vehicle Parking spaces, Connect by Hertz car sharing service located in the ground and adjacency to RTD light rail and the city’s B-Cycle program

“Building a high-performance LEED home at any price point is a challenge and a huge accomplishment.   What is so unique about SPIRE is the fact that we are able to deliver a high-performance LEED certified home at an attainable price point in one of the most compelling locations that Denver has to offer,” states Christopher Crosby, LEED® AP, Executive Vice President, The Nichols Partnership, Inc.  “Our commitment to high-performance LEED design and construction and the successful sales that we have thus far achieved is one of the silver linings of the current housing market… our hope is that pursuit of LEED certification for multi-family projects will be as commonplace as it is for commercial buildings today and that LEED certification will be a key differentiator for the residential marketplace in the future.”

At 470 feet tall, SPIRE’s modernism and subtle art deco influences conclude in a celebratory, articulated crown forming a distinctive and identifiable addition to the Denver skyline.  The building features a 33-story residential tower atop an eight-story parking podium with ground floor retail, culminating in just under a million square feet.

For more information about SPIRE, please visit www.spiredenver.com.

There are many reasons why our new homeowners selected SPIRE:  the spectacular views, the construction, the many amenities, and of course the location in the heart of Downtown Denver.

But an interesting trend that goes along with the Downtown location is the attractive lifestyle of living in a car optional building.  With easy access to light rail, the 16th Street shuttle, the Cherry Creek bike paths, and the recently added citywide B-cycle program,  living at SPIRE allows freedom from traffic and long commutes for many of our residents.  For many of our new homeowners this new lifestyle was one of their decisions to live downtown and at SPIRE.

Supporting a pedestrian friendly and car optional lifestyle was one of the fundamentals involved in selecting the site location for SPIRE.  It is also the reason SPIRE hosts Denver’s first  Connect by Hertz location as one of our ground floor tenants.  Connect by Hertz offers SPIRE residents (and our neighbors) easy and flexible access to an automobile for the car optional lifestyle with plans that allow for hourly usage of their fleet of cars.

It’s a new way of life across the country (and the globe as they have locations overseas as well) as an alternative to owning a car.  With great success in other cities,  this approach removes the burdens, both financial and maintenance, of owning a car while leaving all the benefits.  One of our car optional residents may walk, pedal, or ride the light rail for almost every daily trip or night out on the town.  But for those trips where a car is necessary, there’s an easy option right at the foot of your building.  And as the Connect by Hertz website points out,  it is also a very environmentally friendly option:

Less vehicle congestion

Every Connect by Hertz car on the road eliminates up to 14 personal vehicles, reducing the overall number of cars on the roads. And wouldn’t a traffic jam-free city be so much more pleasant?

Fewer harmful emissions

Fewer cars on the road means fewer CO₂ emissions clogging up the air. In the U.S., Connect by Hertz cars are all EPA SmartWay certified. This ensures fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gases are emitted.

Lower energy consumption

With Connect by Hertz, you use the cars only when you need them. This means less fuel on fewer trips, so it’s far more energy efficient.

Of course car sharing is only one option.  B-cycle, the wonderful bike sharing program that launched in Denver this year also has a station right outside the front door of SPIRE.  B-cycle has stations across Denver,  and our city is the first large scale municipal bike sharing system in the United States.  You may have seen one of the early B-cycle bikes on display in our sales center in last year as we were eagerly supporting their launch.   The reasons to use B-cycle are many as they mention on their website…

Bike sharing makes it economical and convenient to use bikes for trips that are too far to walk but too short to drive. As a member, you can use a B-cycle to run an errand, grab lunch, travel from the bus stop to your office, or just get some fresh air.

Bike Sharing, Car Sharing… we want to make sure to mention we of course also have parking.  SPIRE also offers plenty of parking spaces including priority parking for those residents with low emission vehicles, motorcycle and scooter spaces, and bicycle racks to accommodate all forms of transportation.  Schedule a visit today or contact us at 720-457-7550 to learn more about SPIRE and our many environmentally friendly design features within our LEED® Registration.   Learn more about SPIRE today.

SPIRE Grand Open House

You are invited to join all of us here at SPIRE for our Grand Open House Event.

This Saturday and Sunday we are opening the doors of SPIRE with music, food, and of course the opportunity to see and tour SPIRE’s 42 story tower including the many amenities and designer floor plans.

We’ll also be introducing special grand opening pricing, credits and financing offers.  So come be inSPIREd and learn more about this limited opportunity to own Denver’s best for less.

SATURDAY + SUNDAY
JUNE 26 + 27

GRAND OPEN HOUSE EVENT
14TH & CHAMPA: 12-5 PM

MODEL TOURS + LIVE MUSIC
EATS + PRIZES

RSVP NOW TO THERESA MARTIN (theresa.martin@spiredenver.com)

Photo Credit to Elegant Images and Photographs

SPIRE is bustling with activity.  New SPIRE homeowners have moved in and are enjoying their new downtown Denver lifestyle and the many SPIRE amenities.  What’s their favorite amenity… is it the fitness center, pools, hot tubs, theater room, or perhaps simply the location and views?  We decided to ask our new homeowners.

Welcome to the first of our homeowner interviews.  We are proud to introduce you to SPIRE resident Jim Deak.  Not only is Jim one of our first homeowners but he shared with us that he is getting married this coming weekend and may be “the first couple officially starting their lives together at SPIRE”.  Congratulations Jim and Kristen!

Here is our interview with Jim.

What first attracted you to SPIRE?

Maintenance free living in the downtown Denver environment.  I was also taken by the views, premier location and amenities the building has to offer.

When you were evaluating your different options for condos in Denver, what factors helped you determine that SPIRE was your #1 pick?

The location- centrally located near the theatre district, the 16th St Mall Shuttle, and an RTD Light Rail Stop.  The proximity to 100′s of restaurants, sports facilities and unique shopping opportunities.  There are other upscale living opportunities in downtown Denver, but they couldn’t compete with this building’s location, amenities and value.  As a licensed Real Estate agent, my sense for value and location led me back to SPIRE after comparing it to other downtown options.

Which residence/floor plan did you select for your home and why?

We chose the Arapahoe- it’s a 2br floorplan that offers a fantastic west facing view of Invesco field, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.  That’s the west view- looking to the east we see the “Christmas Tree” building, the Colorful Clock Tower, and the lights of downtown living.

Do you have a favorite amenity within the building?

The 2 outdoor hot tubs have been doing wonders on my senses- I mean sore back.  More seriously, the Box Office is the best home theater I have ever experienced short of IMAX movies.

When did you move in to SPIRE?

As soon as possible!  April 28th was the date.  The porter staff was a nice added benefit holding doors open and just helping insure a smooth move.

As a SPIRE homeowner, can you share some of the best things about living at SPIRE and in the heart of Denver?

5 minute walk to the Buell Theater and the 16th St Shuttle.   RTD light rail and B-Cycle is at your doorstep.  Walk or B-Cycle to any downtown work site.  The outdoor pool, hot tubs, box office and the rest of 2 floors of amenities that can’t be found anywhere else.  Did I mention the stunning city and mountain views?

Do you have any recommendations for new homeowners to SPIRE (restaurants, events, things to do)?

Buy now, before prices rise further!  Little India is a weekly stop for take out or the lunch buffet.  Ride the B-Cycle to REI for coffee and some weekend trip supplies.  Take a run or bike ride along the South Platte River paths.

Any thoughts on the growth and development that is happening in Downtown Denver?

The 14th St Redevelopment project is going to be exiting to watch as it continues to build on SPIRE’s location and its proximity to great restaurants, sporting events and theater.

Thanks Jim !
To learn more about residences at SPIRE or to schedule a tour of our building please contact our sales center at 720.457.7550.

I’m not talking about just a little busy… the sales team at SPIRE was swamped with folks stopping in to tour the building.

Maybe it was the beautiful weather, maybe it was the fact that SPIRE is now home to many wonderful residents who are sharing rave reviews about the pool, the fitness center, the views, or maybe it was the terrific article that appeared in the Denver Post this past weekend.   Now that residents have been living in SPIRE for several weeks, we have some great testimonials about their new SPIRE lifestyles to share.    For those folks who visited the sales center before the building was completed, this was an incredible opportunity to go from viewing a scale model to actually walking through the fitness center, pool deck, club lounge, sports zone, sky club, and of course floorplans that are now a reality.

And that’s just what a huge percentage of Denver did this past weekend, keeping our sales team busy sharing the great features of the building with the many visiting groups.  If you missed this weekend, feel free to stop our sales center or call 720.457.7550 to schedule your own exclusive tour.

Thanks to everyone who stopped in and we hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! Look for more homeowner news here as well.

1. May 28-30th – “The Downtown Denver Arts Festival is dedicated to supporting and showcasing Colorado visual artists. Downtown Denver Arts Festival holds its annual premier event each Memorial Day Weekend at the Denver Pavilions. The fine art exhibition features over 135 of Colorado’s finest visual artists with over 150,000 people expected to attend.  The Arts Festival is open to all Colorado Artists.  
2. All weekend long and beyond, you can enjoy the Body Works And The Science of the Heart Exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  “BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart, an all-new exhibition, reveals—through the lenses of anatomy, cardiology, psychology and culture—how the heart nourishes, regulates and sustains life.”
3. May 29th and May 30th – Colorado Rockies vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Take in a ball game on a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend and enjoy the sunshine at Coors Field.
4. Sunday, May 30th – JAX Fish House Crab Boil.  This one needs to be booked at least 48 hours in advance so don’t wait until the last minute if you want to spend Sunday enjoying one of the best outdoor patios downtown.  Memorial Day Weekend is a perfect time for a Crab Boil, and those from the East Coast can vouch that on a sunny summer day it’s one of the true delights you can enjoy with friends getting about as messy as possible.  Old Bay anyone?
5. Monday, May 31st – The Bolder Boulder:  Not only is this one of the most famous Colorado running events…. it doesn’t require a car drive.    The beauty of living downtown is that RTD has prepared for this event for city dwellers.  Just hop on the light rail down to Market Street station (or walk) and take a bus up to Boulder with other runners.  This avoids traffic and you can relax after your 10K run all the way home.  Known for the many bands, belly dancers, and other sights on the run itself, it is a Colorado favorite.
6. May 29th, 30th, and 31st – Old South Gaylord Street Event.   Visit Old South Gaylord Street for their 31st year of a family-oriented street festival with lots of different hand-made crafts, food and entertainment for ALL ages. Visit their site for more information.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.   So there is one other event for this Memorial Day weekend list that is very special.  The  Denver Memorial Day Parade will be held on May 29th at 10:00 AM.  Here is a link for more information.

Whatever you choose to do this upcoming holiday weekend we hope you have a wonderful, fun and safe weekend.  See you around SPIRE.

Thank you to the Downtown Denver Partnership and both welcome and thank you to the many, many new homeowners moving into SPIRE almost every day. Welcome to SPIRE and welcome to your Downtown Denver Neighborhood.

Video sponsored by Comcast, and produced by BurstMarketing and Direct Edit.

So SPIRE homeowners, this post is for you.  We thought we would help our homeowners and neighbors stay updated on the many activities going on around SPIRE.  Living at SPIRE in the heart of downtown Denver has its benefits… and here are just a few ideas to get you started.

First of all… while we hoped we could talk about high temperatures and beautiful sunshine so everyone could enjoy basking by the pools this weekend, the forecast is calling for some cold and maybe even snowy weather.  Not to worry.  This just means that you get to enjoy another of SPIRE’s unique amenities… the spa hot tubs.  Whether you get in a workout in the brand new fitness center and follow it up with the outdoor fitness center spa, or you choose to socialize on the main amenity deck in the largest of the hot spas, the cold weather won’t bother you a bit.  Just relax and look out at the lights of Denver this weekend and take advantage of what most likely will be the last of our snowy weekends.  You can even sit by the fire pit and enjoy a glass of wine and toast to the end of winter and beginning of our beautiful Denver summers.

Feel like watching a game?  Well the 9th floor sports lounge offers huge screen TVs and this weekend you have a number of sporting events to relax and watch.   First the Nuggets are coming into the final stretch with scheduled games tonight and Sunday.  Here is that schedule..

Utah Jazz vs Denver Nuggets Series 2010 NBA Playoff Schedule:
Game 1 – Denver won at home 113-126 on April 17th
Game 2 – Utah won on the road on 114-111 April 19th
Game 3 – Utah won at home 105-93 on April 23rd
Game 4 – Utah won at home 117-106 on April 25th
Game 5 – Nuggets won at home 116-102 on April 28th
Game 6 – April 30th at 10:10 PM EST in Utah
Game 7 – May 2nd at TBD in Denver

Or the Colorado Rockies at San Francisco tonight at 8:15 PM and at 2:05 PM both Saturday and Sunday.
So relax with friends, order in some delivery, and no matter what the weather does outside, you can just relax and watch these games from the comfort of the SPIRE sports zone.

Not a sports fan?  No problem.  Just pick out your favorite movie and go enjoy the SPIRE theater room.  With theater seating, a huge screen projection system, and full theater surround sound, you avoid the weather, the crowds, and the ticket prices to put on your own private screening. For all of our new SPIRE homeowners that’s just a start of the plans you can make for this weekend without even leaving the building.

Now if you do want to get out in the weather this weekend remember you never have to go far.  Being in the heart of the theater district puts you footsteps away from many shows and performances.  This weekend the line up includes…

Now Playing:

• Girls Only Garner Galleria Theatre  Hurry! Closes June 27!
• Mama Hated Diesels Stage Theatre, March 19 – May 9
• Othello March 26 – May 1 Space Theatre
• Mariela in the Desert April 2 – May 15 Ricketson Theatre
• In the Heights April 28 – May 9 Buell Theatre

and of course just up on Champa you have the Bovine Metropolis for some wonderful improv comedy humor.  Their lineup includes…

• “The Confession Stand ” – Opens May 7th!!
• No Show This Night
• Private Show
• On The Spot
• Street’s Hope: May 22 2010: Comedy for a Cause
• Improv Hootenanny!
• Primordial Ooohs!
• BMX
• Harm Reduction Action Center: May 2010: Comedy for a Cause
• Hit and Run: Musical Improv
• Sense of Security: May 2010: Comedy for a Cause
• Tuesday Night Throwdown

And of course both the Denver Pavillions and the STARZ theater complexes are just a short distance away for the current blockbusters on the screen right now.

Whew, that’s already a lot for this weekend and we haven’t even touched on the other events, restaurants, and events all around us.  But this post was targeted to embrace what may be our last gray sky snowy weekend with some nice cozy events to enjoy without stepping foot outside (or stepping only a few steps).

So cheers and welcome SPIRE homeowners and our neighbors in Denver.  Enjoy your weekend!

We couldn’t be more excited!

Our first homeowners have moved into SPIRE!  The Denver Post even took note in this article celebrating this exciting milestone as the Downtown welcomes it’s newest residents.

The first set of keys have been given out, the first moving company has delivered furniture, and the first SPIRE homeowners have awakened to their new lifestyle in the heart of Downtown Denver.

It has been exciting to watch SPIRE through every step.  It started with site design and the initial architectural drawings.  A great location in the heart of Downtown Denver deserved a spectacular vision for every aspect.  Design progressed from the most general detail (how many stories will it be… 42) to the individual selection of every tile color for the pools or the number of treadmills in the exercise room.  Every floor plan was designed, then improved, then improved again to create a wonderful living space.  Design truly never stopped as each new idea or suggestion was evaluated and factored into SPIRE and the lifestyle of the residents who would call it home.

The construction stage carried us through a gradual rise in the Denver Skyline (time lapse below)

And as the building got closer to completion, we had the opportunity to take our first “hard hat” tours through the building.  Climbing stairs or riding the construction elevators, the SPIRE team got to introduce prospective homeowners and the occasional architectural tour to the spectacular views of Denver from any one of the 42 stories.  It was exciting to hear those first visitors share their great reviews from within SPIRE.

Construction wrapped up and finishing touches were put on the building.  Carpeting, artwork, lighting, and of course the details in the residences and amenities were completed.  Once again there was the excitement of opening the doors of SPIRE to tour our future homeowners.  But one final excitement still remained…  the first day SPIRE would fill with the energy of homeowners.

That day is here.  The front desk is staffed, the fitness center and hot tubs are open, and the first folks will be able to fall asleep and wake up to the spectacular views of the city from within SPIRE’s glass walls.  Yes Mr. U.S. Post Office, you can now start delivering mail.  The Denver Skyline now has a new set of lights glowing into the evening sky.

For more information about SPIRE or to schedule a private tour please contact our sales center at 720-457-7550.  And don’t forget closings now are within the time frame for the Home Buyer Tax Credits for those who qualify.