The Denver Architectural League has announced the winners of its Micro Housing Ideas Competition.The winning entry for the possible building with small rental units along the South Platte River,across from the TAXI development, features a facade with scaffolding of prairie grass, allowing the building's exterior to change with each season.

The building, designed by Armando Birlain López of Querétaro, Mexico, would appear as a carpet of green in the summer, turn brown as the grass died in the fall and would be bare in the winter.

The Denver judges described the building as a concept that is "forever changing and changeable, that recognizes a keen responsibility to both its residents and the larger community around it."

Not that it would ever be built.

The contest is for a theoretical eight-unit apartment building on a real scrap of land along the South Platte River across from the TAXI mixed-used community developed by Mickey and Kyle Zeppelin. Mickey was one of the judges.

The concept was "inspired by a concern about the lack of innovation in Denver's existing multi-family housing market where many banal apartment, townhome and condo complexes continue to be built," according to the league.

The competition offered designers an opportunity to engage in reinventing the notion of "responsible affordable housing" with an emphasis on regenerative design.

"In evaluating entries for the Micro Housing Ideas Competition, the jury looked for approaches that reconsidered the potential for multi-family affordable housing to improve not only the lives of the people it might shelter, but also the life of the community around it, the life of the city of Denver, and the life of the biosphere of which humanity is not a separate entity but an integral part," said architect George Hoover and professor emeritus of architecture, University of Colorado Denver, who served as the chairman of the jury.

"In our biosphere, thriveability seeks a more holistic view of the world—these winning entries succeed in setting thoughtful parameters for a rich dialogue about new possibilities for the way we live, starting with a conversation in Denver that we hope will expand nationally and beyond."

Seventy entered the competition, with 25 of them coming from outside the U.S. In addition to Mexico, other winning ideas came from Spain, Portugal and Egypt.

The winning design, which included a $3,000 award, consists of modular units built on-site that are set into a grid and can be configured for singles, couples or small families.

The grid allows for the emergence of varied shared spaces where residents can grill dinner and kids can play.

"The concept exploits the Platte River by maximizing views and access to the water, but it also gives back, meeting the ground in a way that allows the public to share the space, lounging along the currents or enjoying nature hikes around the property," according to the judges.

In addition to having eight very small units, parameters for the competition include:

• Provide an entry identify for TAXI.
• Public access to the South Platte River.
• An affordable hosuign design.
• Modulatiry and prefabricaton.
• "Thriveability," as it relates to natural ecologies and human modes of life.
• The appropriate use of technology, materials and building systems.

Other winners:

• Second place, with a $750 award, to Tadeja Vidoni of Alcante, Spain.
• Honorable mention, with a $375 award, to Aquitectura (Team Members: Mendes Pinheiro/Leader, Nuno Costa, Jorge Lamas, Tiago Silva, Diogo Ferrao, Diogo Pereira & Sérgio Almeida) from Vila Niva de Gaia, Portugal.
• Honorable mention, $375 award, Ahmed Hamdi of Ahmed Hamdi Architects) in Cairo, Egypt.

In addition to Hoover and Zeppelinb, other judges were:

• Ray Mark Rinaldi, the Denver Post's Fine Arts Critic.
• Scott Lindenau, founder and design principal of Studio B Architects, one of Aspen's top modernist design firms.
• Charles Keyes, , principal of Martin/Martin Structural Engineers.
• William Logan, founder and publisher of Modern in Denver magazine.

An exhibition of all 70 submittals is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 21 at the Temenos Gallery inside Roth Sheppard Architects' design studio in Suite 100 at 1900 Wazee St.

RedPeak Properties has started the $5 million renovation of the 17-story Burnsley Hotel, which will be renamed as The Burnsley at 1000 Grant.

The renovation is being performed by W. E. O'Neil Constructionn and will be completed in September.

The work will maintain the historic character and charm of the property's original architecture and design, while bringing the 50-year old building to modern-day standards.

. Last year, RedPeak purchased the building for $10 million from Joy Burns, who had owned it for more than40 years.

"The Burnsley is a trophy property in downtown Denver, and we're very excited to be underway with renovation work which will make it a premier place to live, and enjoy all of the great things the city has to offer," said Mike Zoellner, CEO of RedPeak Properties.

"W.E. O'Neil has a great deal of renovation experience, and is among the most respected and thoughtful construction companies in Colorado. We're looking forward to being able to introduce the ‘new' Burnsley to prospective residents in the fall of 2013."

Some of the renovation work that will be completed at The Burnsley includes:

• Converting 84 hotel rooms, which were originally designed to accommodate apartment-like living, into modern day apartment homes.
• Adding four penthouses to the top floors of the property.
• Completely upgrading the property's mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety systems to meet modern day standards.
• A complete remodel of the property's first two floors to provide amenity areas and services to future residents.
• And repairing the building's exterior façade.

Amstar, a Denver-based real estate investment manager, in partnership with Allied Orion Holdings, a Texas- and Colorado-based apartment developer, announced today it will soon start construction on 2785 Speer, a 332-unit apartment project on Speer Boulevard in the popular Jefferson Park neighborhood in Denver.

They are scheduled to break ground this month with a delivery date in the spring of 2015 of the community that had previously been announced.

The five-story building will offer an array of floor plans including studios, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom units. Each unit will feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, nine-foot ceilings, simulated hardwood floors, and balconies with breathtaking views of downtown Denver. The residents will be able to enjoy a variety of amenities including a swimming pool, spa, bocce ball court, dog run, bike workshop, and an outdoor entertainment deck. From the outdoor entertainment deck, the residents will enjoy unobstructed skyline views of downtown Denver while eating, drinking, or watching TV on several large LCD flat panel TVs. The apartment project will also feature approximately 10,800 square feet of retail space on the ground level on Speer Boulevard.

The retail space is anticipated to include at least one restaurant that will provide outdoor patio seating along Bryant Street. The buildings are being designed to achieve LEED certification.

"We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Allied and build a Class "A" apartment community to fill the growing demand for housing in the highly desirable Highlands/Jefferson Park neighborhood," said Kim Sperry, managing director at Amstar. "The community will be unique, with unparalleled views and amenities. The location is unmatched as it provides quick access to I-25 and I-70, and it is also within walking distance or a short bike ride to restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment centers in the Highlands and Downtown."

Lauren Brockman of Allied Orion Holdings will serve as developer of the project. Martines Palmeiro Construction will act as general contractor. Orion Real Estate Services will act as the property manager.

Summit Materials is moving its Washington, D.C., headquarters to Mercantile Square in Lower Downtown Denver.

The company signed a seven-year lease for 16,653 square feet of third-floor space that spans 1550 Wynkoop St. and 1628 16^th St. The Colorado Economic Development Corp. recently approved $1.3 million in incentives for the corporate relocation, which will bring 79 jobs to the state.

"We're thrilled," said Mike Coughlin of Coughlin & Co., which owns the adjacent buildings that comprise Mercantile Square. Coughlin & Co. recently completed a renovation of the approximately 55,000-sf property, which included the addition of an elevator, staircase and loft-style office space.

Summit Materials acquires and grows "heavy-side" materials companies aggregate, ready-mix concrete, asphalt paving and construction firms, for example. "Given their industry, I think it's going to be a nice cultural fit for them," said Tom Lee of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, who represented the landlord with NGKF broker Jon Tilton.

Read the entire story in the May 15-June 4 issue.

Medtronic Navigation Inc. signed a lease for 40,657 square feet of office/flex space in the Colorado Technology Center in Louisville, boosting its presence on the U.S. Highway 36 corridor.

The global medical technology company will occupy a portion of the 92,576-sf building at 1480 Arthur Ave. in July. Etkin Johnson Group owns the property.

Ryan Good, Etkin Johnson vice president of leasing and sales, negotiated the transaction with Todd Wheeler of Cushman & Wakefield of Colorado, who represented the tenant.

"This is a great opportunity to have a leading medical technology company as a tenant in our portfolio," Good said in a statement. "Medtronic is a perfect addition to the long list of high-tech companies that are located in the CTC, and the quality and location of our property at 1480 Arthur made it their top choice."

Read the entire story in the May 15-June 4 issue.

A historic Pearl Street building leased to a hip national retailer sold for $6.31 million.

R&L Properties, through a pair of limited liability companies, bought the Armory Building at 934 Pearl St. from Armory Building LLC. Urban Outfitters occupies the 12,298-square-foot structure, which was built in 1898 for Company H of the Colorado First Infantry.

"We were seeking out to try to find the best building in Boulder, and we think we did. It's a great building, a historic building," said Robert Schwab, R&L president and CEO. "We think we bought it at rents that are only going to go north. There's only one Pearl Street, and it's supported by the university and the greater population of the Boulder community, which is very diverse."

Read the entire story in the May 15-June 4 issue.

On the long plane ride from Denver to China, landscape architect Craig Karn read the best seller, "The World is Flat," by Thomas L. Friedman.

"Hey, that is us," Karn thought, while reading the book about how there are increasingly no geographic or other barriers to doing global business in these days of heightened technology.

"Our tiny little firm is doing this giant, transit-oriented, resort development in China," Karn said.

"The world really is flat."

Read the entire story in the May 15-June 4 edition of the Colorado Real Estate Journal.

Leases for medical office space raise additional issues and considerations beyond those of a standard commercial office lease. Both landlords and tenants should be aware of these unique issues so they can draft a lease that sets up both parties for success.

Some of the key issues for landlords and tenants leasing medical office space to consider are: hazardous materials and biohazard waste, access and utilities, Stark Act and anti-kickback, entry rights and HIPPA, death and disability, end of term and ADA.

Messner & Reeves attorney Joe Romberg elaborates in the May 15-June 4 issue.

When apartment investment expert Jerry Kendall talks about TINA, he isn't referring to Fey or Turner.

Rather, Kendall, principal of Greenwood Village-based from Multifamily Capital Advisors, coined the TINA acronym that stands for "There Is No Alternative."

TINA has never been more relevant for the Denver-area multifamily market than today, according to Kendall.

In the first quarter, the average monthly rent for all apartments set a new record of $992, according to a report by the Colorado Division of Housing.

Meanwhile, the overall vacancy rate fell to 4.6 percent, the lowest in about a dozen years.

"From the renter point of view there are few options for renters to choose from as the tide rises for the entire rental market," according to Kendall.

"As rents are as high as we have ever seen in Denver there really are not lower cost alternatives to choose from, " he said, which results in the "TINA effect."

Read the entire aricle in the May 15-June 4 edition of the Colorado Real Estate Journal.