New park-like setting becomes amenity for tenants and residents with trees, wifi, and ample seating
Denver (November 18, 2020) – Unico Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Unico Investment Group LLC that has been acquiring, managing and developing commercial properties in Colorado for more than 13 years, recently celebrated the completion of Platte Street Plaza, a community amenity space at the base of the Highland Bridge. The project was made possible through a public/private partnership between Unico Properties LLC and the City of Denver, with the $1.7 million in equity required for the project furnished by Unico.
“Platte Street Plaza is designed to become the heart of the neighborhood,” said Austin Kane, Vice President and Regional Director for Unico. “It’s built for the employee needing a mid-day break, for the commuter who wants to stop and enjoy the Colorado sunshine, and for residents and visitors meeting up before heading out to their favorite shops, restaurants or bars down the street. A new chapter is being written for Platte Street, and this plaza is going to be a big part of it.”
Located between the historic Zang building and The Circa Building (constructed in 2018), the new Platte Street Plaza transformed the underutilized pedestrian and bicycle passageway into a park-like setting with new trees, flowers and plants, along with ample seating – inherently designed to accommodate social distancing. Platte Street Plaza is equipped with free wifi for the public, as well as access to electrical power for pop-ups, farmers’ markets and other community events. New dynamic lighting supports the safe enjoyment of the plaza, day or night.
“Platte Street Plaza has had a bigger impact than we could have all imagined,” said Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, Denver District 1 City Councilwoman. “The fact that Unico took it to another level and had local artists come down here, then it becomes more owned by the community. The more that we can create placemaking in Northwest Denver with improvements like this, I think the better Denver will be.”
Interested in learning more about the Platte Street Plaza?
Go to the Platte Street Plaza website
Unico engaged NINE dot ARTS to commission Denver artists Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios to create two large-format murals for Platte Street Plaza, visible from both Platte Street and I-25. Celebrating the history of the area, the artists’ concept chronicles the transition of Platte Street from its origins as a gold-mining area into the vibrant modern neighborhood it is today.
Designed by Dig Studio and constructed by Swinerton Construction, Platte Street Plaza received a grant through the Urban Forest Initiative’s Build the Canopy Grant Program for the new trees. This program is a collaboration between the Downtown Denver Partnership, Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, and the City & County of Denver, with funding support from private donors.
About Unico Properties LLC
Unico Properties LLC, a subsidiary of Unico Investment Group LLC, is a commercial real estate investor, developer, and full-service operator focused on office and multifamily assets in emerging markets throughout the United States. Committed to transforming the built environment for the better, Unico has been acquiring, managing and developing commercial properties in Colorado for more than 13 years. Unico currently owns and operates nearly 4 million square feet of commercial properties in Colorado. For more information about Unico, please visit the firm’s website at https://unicoprop.com.