Lower Downtown Denver will soon be transformed with the opening of the Market Station development at Market Street and the 16th Street Mall. This exciting new structure that features varying heights, setbacks and facades will give a boost to LoDo living with new office space, shopping and housing.

What used to be the RTD bus station and a funky pedestrian plaza has evolved into a striking new mixed-use development in LoDo.

Encompassing an entire city block, the block that used to house the commuter transportation hub of RTD is now a trendy, urban infill that will feature office and residential property as well as retail businesses. Market Station is a $200 million project spearheaded by Continuum Partners. The project team is hopeful that certificates of occupancy will be obtained for the entire project this month. In addition to the residential units in The Flats, portions of the office and retail space are also finished and are ready for occupancy.

RTD still has a continuing presence in the development as it is housed in the nearly 112-year-old buildings from which Market Station rises. The historic buildings required Kiewit Construction to painstakingly work with heavy equipment around the structures, which are being incorporated into the overall design.

The New Market Station Includes Housing, Retail and Office Space

Market Station will provide 225 new apartment residences, 82,000 square feet of retail, and 95,000 square feet of office space in 10- and five-story structures in a U-shaped configuration around the historic RTD buildings on Blake Street. The 10-story sections are consistent with nearby structures 16M, Sugar Cube and 16 Market Square. Beneath the development, there will be high-tech mechanical stacked, underground parking that negates having to search for a spot for your car. Leave the parking to the attendant and be on your way.

Like many new developments around town, this is a mixed-use but differs in that people will have the opportunity to stroll around and through the street-level stores. It will be an open air, arcade-like design with alfresco seating and a definite urban vibe. Check out this cool video to get a preview.

There will be four floors set aside for office space that can be built out to fit practically any type of business.

The residential piece of Market Station will provide state-of-the-art amenities and features. With a full slate of benefits that one would expect with new construction and its choice location in the heart of the LoDo neighborhood, residents will be treated to exceptional dining options, shopping and entertainment literally right outside the door. Some of the on-site amenities include two clubhouses, two rooftop terraces, a fitness center, a rooftop pool with city views, two dog runs and valet parking with an available car washing service.

Apartment Dwellers Will Have Unparalleled Access to LoDo Views and Amenities

All of the units will be leased apartments and studios that are thoughtfully designed and well-appointed, and will be housed in two separate buildings.

Approximately one-quarter of the apartments will be high-end residences called the Fourteen 45. Situated on the the upper floors of the 10-story structure and facing the 16th Street Mall, these one- and two-bedrooms homes provide exceptional and modern touches, and are the “epitome of downtown luxury.” Premium features include hardwood flooring, chef’s kitchens, walk-in closets and five-piece bathrooms with dual vanities. These finishes accentuate the urban lifestyle along with the sweeping views and downtown vibe.

The apartments also feature large balconies and sweeping views of downtown and the mountains.

Lower priced apartments will be found in the Flats structure. According to the Market Station website, “The Flats is where uncompromised form meets efficient functionality, in European-inspired studio, one and two bedroom apartments. These residences thoughtfully deliver the space you need and the features you want, including stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry, dual vanity bathrooms and ample gear storage. The Flats are the perfect launch pad for journeys in and outside the city.”

Studio units will be around 400 square feet and many are leasing for under $1500/month.  Some of the one bedroom apartments are priced under $2,000/month.

All residences will be available starting March 15.

Goodbye to Chess Pieces and DIA-style Tents

For those of you unfamiliar with this address, Market Street Station used to be the RTD bus station for suburban commuters. The plaza served transit riders for 30 years (I was a regular on the Boulder line in the late 1980s). Check out these photos that Denver Urbanism provided. As they stated, “From the 1970’s-style waiting area mixed in with tents similar to Denver International Airport to chess pieces as benches, this plaza has always been a very unique sight.”

Once the Union Station development was completed in 2014, the Market Street Station was decommissioned and sat vacant until 2017 when construction began on the new project. I must admit, I miss the “greenhouse” and chess piece benches that used to grace that site. However, the new Market Station will add a new and exciting dimension to this vibrant section of LoDo. Providing great walkability and sidewalk appeal,  this will be a wonderful extension to the 16th Street Mall.

You can follow the progress of the Market Station on their website and learn more about its opening date, and the retail shops and restaurants you can expect in the future.

(Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in April, 2019. It has been updated and edited to provide the latest information on Market Station).