Concept Plan Resubmitted To Convert University Building Into 120 Affordable Housing Units
DENVER, CO – A new concept plan has been submitted to convert the University Building in Downtown Denver into income-restricted housing, marking the latest step forward for a project first proposed in 2024.
Exterior of the University Building
Located at 910 16th Street at the corner of 16th and Champa, the 12-story building is currently used as office space. Plans now call for an adaptive reuse of the structure, converting the upper floors into residential units while maintaining the existing ground floor commercial uses.
According to the concept plan, the project would deliver a total of 120 housing units, all of which would be income-restricted and target an average of 60% Area Median Income (AMI).
The proposed redevelopment focuses on reconfiguring floors two through twelve into residential use. The second floor is planned to include shared amenity space, including offices and a fitness area, while the remaining upper floors would be dedicated to a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.
No changes are currently proposed to the building’s exterior, with the project instead centered on interior renovations and system upgrades. Planned improvements include the addition of a new code-compliant pressurized stair core, along with other fire and life safety upgrades required to bring the building up to current standards.
The ground floor will continue to operate as commercial space, with existing tenant areas remaining in place as part of the redevelopment. The project is being submitted through the City and County of Denver’s Proposition 123 fast-track review process, which is designed to accelerate approvals for qualifying affordable housing developments. The site is zoned D-TD, and no rezoning is being requested as part of the proposal.
The concept plan is currently under review, and additional submittals would be required as the project advances through the city’s entitlement process.
Backside of the University Building featuring the Iconic Pencil Smokestack
Development Team
Developer: 910 Associates Inc
Architecture: Shopworks Architecture
All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
3 minute read • A concept plan has been resubmitted to convert the University Building in Downtown Denver into 120 income-restricted housing units, targeting 60% AMI.