Construction spending dipped from October to November, but resolution of the uncertainty regarding federal taxes for 2013 should unleash more private construction investment, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned, however, that unresolved issues about federal construction spending, including storm relief for northeastern states, will hold down public construction spending. “…

Change is coming to the big box, and sooner than you might expect in Colorado, according to Jeff Sheppard, AIA, Roth Sheppard Architects. Sheppard, a principal with Roth Sheppard, which was selected by Scandinavian Designs to strategically “reimagine” a number of the contemporary furniture company’s retail storefronts, sees the firm’s efforts as the tip of the iceberg in change coming to big-box properties. “I think reimagining storefronts and big b…

The biggest speculative industrial building ever built in Denver could be landing at Stapleton. United Properties says it will build a 514,500-square-foot distribution building in 2013 at Enterprise Business Center, a new industrial development near Interstate 70 and Havana Street. Enterprise Business Center also would include two office/flex buildings, for a total of 710,850 sf. The announcement is surprising because of its size and also because Enterprise Business Center would b…

AGC Colorado expects conservative growth for the 2013 construction industry - Colorado's sixth-largest industry - related to job growth and economic impact, according to a recent forecast event presented by AGC/C and McGraw-Hill Construction. The forecast included an overview of the national economy, historical trends and expected activity for 12 different market sectors for Colorado. “We expect conservative overall economic growth in GDP of 2.7 percent for 2013, with 6 pe…

Turner Construction recently completed a two-floor fit out for KMPG. The scope of work for the project included complete interior demolition and new construction for all interior finishes and MEP systems. The project is pursuing LEED Silver certification by the Green Building Certification Institute. The 38,000-square-foot space, designed by Perkins + Will out of Chicago, is located in the 17th Street Plaza in downtown Denver, also built by Turner in 1983. 

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Secretary of State (2001 – 2005), joins Cameron Sinclair, co-founder and chief eternal optimist of Architecture for Humanity, and Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, as keynote speakers for the AIA 2013 National Convention. The nation’s architects and design industry meet June 20-22 in Denver. The AIA Convention is architecture’s largest annual gathering to keep current with innovative design sol…

All major segments of construction spending increased in October, bringing total spending to a 37-month high at an annualized rate of $872 billion, according to an analysis of new federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned, however, that the “fiscal cliff” imperils future improvement in both public and private spending. “Widespread gains in spending in October, along with hefty upward revisions to e…

Alliance Construction Solutions has started renovation of the Colorado National Bank building. Alliance Design/Build Solutions is serving as the design-builder and Alliance Construction Solutions is the general contractor for the project that will convert the historic bank building at 918 17th St. in downtown Denver into a Renaissance Hotel by Marriott. “We are excited for the opportunity to renovate such a remarkably historic building,” said Alliance Construction So…

Construction has wrapped up on Zeppelin Development Inc.’s latest building at the Taxi development in the River North area of Denver. Brinkman Construction completed construction on the sixth building at the 172,700-square-foot campus, an $8 million, 40,000-sf space with a modern design. Drive, which officially opened Nov. 1, was designed by Stephen Dynia Architects, with the architect of record Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture for the office building. Read more in the De…

Building Restoration Specialties Inc. recently was selected to complete repairs on Denver’s historic Brown Palace Hotel. The repair project, slated to last for three years, will be conducted without interrupting business at the Brown Palace, which has been open every day since it opened Aug. 12, 1892. BRS will be repairing stone on the exterior façade, replacing all stone window sills and modifying existing flashings where needed. The firm also will begin carving st…

The big box isn’t dead, chef-driven restaurants are growing and the delivery of medical services is moving to a new arena. Three trends in the ever-changing world of design and just a few of the topics discussed during the Design Trends for Retail/Restaurant, Hospitality and Medical Office Buildings panel at the Colorado Real Estate Journal’s recent 2012 Commercial Interior Architecture & Design Conference held Nov. 7 at the Inverness Hotel & Conference Center…

FCI Constructors Inc. recently started a pair of projects, including the conversion of the former Frederick High School into a prekindergarten through eighth-grade facility for the St. Vrain Valley School District. The $8.5 million project includes two major additions as well as upgrading classrooms, art room, music room, gym, safety, doors, technology, lighting, storage, sound control and air quality. Work is anticipated to be complete in April. The firm also recently started w…

A campuswide effort is under way in Boulder to help reinforce the University of Colorado’s reputation as a leader in sustainability and an innovator in efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The multiphased project, anticipated to be fully operational by winter 2014, comprises three main elements: construction of a new heating and cooling plant that will be known as the East District Energy Plant and will serve as a showcase for energy-efficient concepts; renovation of the exi…

Character is the defining vision for a pair of projects GH Phipps Construction Cos. has been awarded. GH Phipps broke ground Oct. 19 on the United States Air Force Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development, designed to embody the academy’s vision for developing leaders of character. In late October, the firm also began the ninth phase of renovations at Vandenberg Hall, one of the largest student facilities in the United States and one of the original …

Saunders Construction Inc. is the contractor for a pair of metro Denver projects, including One City Block. The contractor will build the four-building residential project at 19th Avenue and Logan Street in Uptown. The project is slated to achieve LEED Silver certification. RedPeak Properties is developing One City Block, which is designed by Davis Partnership. The firm also is the contractor for a new 36,000-square-foot Whole Foods on Wadsworth Boulevard in Littleton. CSHQA is …

Thornton Development LLC and the city of Thornton celebrated breaking ground on The Grove, a new retail development in Thornton that will be home to a new Cabela’s. The 90,000-square-foot Cabela’s store will serve as an anchor for the development at the southeast corner of 144th Avenue and Interstate 25 in Thornton’s North Washington corridor. “We are excited about the future jobs and development that will grow on this site. This is a great day for th…

Hyder Construction was awarded the tenant improvement project for Merrick & Co.’s new corporate headquarters in Greenwood Village. The $3.5 million, 103,000-square-foot project encompasses three floors of all new finishes, including carpet, flooring and ceiling, new lighting, retrofitted mechanical and electrical systems, and a controlled access area with a dedicated mechanical system, cooling system and access floor.

Shaw Construction recently started work on the $23 million Castle Creek campus. The work, which is slated for completion in September, for owner AMFS/ACDS comprises the redevelopment of the 22-acres Castle Creek campus in Aspen. The redevelopment is a joint initiative of the Aspen Music Festival and School and Aspen Country Day School to provide facility for the both the renowned music festival and the independent, prekindergarten through eighth-grade school. Read more in the upc…

A Denver office property is getting a new look, thanks to Foothills Commercial Builders. The firm is renovating and remodeling 155 S. Madison St. for client Ogilvie Properties. Work includes the renovation and remodel of an existing three-story, 2,200-square-foot lobby, including a 700-sf conference room addition.