...continued from http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18093.new.html

 

There are only two parts for Day 2.  I took a morning stroll to find a grocery store, and then a guided tour of Lower Downtown, or LoDo. 

 

DENVER TOUR MAP:

    Part 1 Morning in LoDo and Downtown http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18083.0.html

    Part 2 Boulder (Mountains and downtown) http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18084.new.html

    Part 3 Residential Boulder http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18085.new.html

    Part 4 Dusk in the Highlands and Downtown http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18093.new.html

    Part 5 The Financial District and Condo Hell http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18094.0.html

    Part 6 Cherry Creek Shopping District http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18117.new.html

    Part 7 Residential Denver http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18118.new.html

    Part 8 City Park http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18119.new.html

    Part 9 University of Colorado at Denver http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18120.new.html

 

 

DAY 2: MORNING STROLL

 

 

 

This is weird.  A massive skyscraper that curves around an old church:

 

 

 

 

 

Ack, I'm so angry that the building on the left slipped in!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME TO CONDO HELL!!!

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

I found the grocery store I was looking for in Condo Hell...it's in the middle of a parking structure!?!

 

A look at downtown from Condo Hell...I want to go back there:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's is for the morning stroll.  Back to the hotel for some conventioning.

 

Part 6 is a trip to the Cherry Creek shopping district.  You'll find it here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18117.new.html

 

 

Sorry for the 3rd photo, I've rotated it in Photobucket a dozen times.

nice!

Nice. I like the modern stuff.

Excellent set. I like the combination of architectural styles and periods, and the angles bring out the interesting juxtapositions.

 

The photos make downtown look clean, open, and functional, but not sterile or austere.

Regarding the church/skyscraper combo (aka 1999 Broadway) - from denverskyscrapers.com:

http://www.denverskyscrapers.com/tallbuildings_downtown_507_714.html

 

"Perhaps one of Denver's most stunning skyscrapers, 1999 Broadway's unique design is owed to the shape of its site. During the height of Denver's energy boom, Lauder Development intended to raze the historic Holy Ghost Catholic Church to build a regular "shoebox" tower. After much public outcry from the church and the public alike, Lauder realized that the church wasn't going anywhere. The only solution? Build their new project around the church. 1999 Broadway features an exquisite glass facade on its north side which, through the use of straight walls setbacked into a faceted curve, surrounds the historic church on three sides."

 

I love situations like that where they're forced to be creative and find a new solution. You end up with something really unique. I'm sure developers end up losing millions because of it though. It's funny how you can go to some historic ran down neighborhoods and see AMAZING churches that people abandoned, for mega-churches in the suburbs - then you have cases like this lol.

Wow, Denver looks awesome.  I LOVE the modern architecture and the cleanliness of the city.  I especially love that street going through that one building.  Awesome, awesome set.

I agree .. Denver looks amazing!

 

What is the energy like on the streets, Prok? Is it very pedestrian-friendly? Do people seem to take advantage of that?

 

Thanks for the pics!

Thanks for the comments on this one.  I really did have a great time here.  I'm coming home tonight (but it's a 20 hr drive) so the rest of the pics will be up be Saturday sometime.  I urge you all to come back, and check out the whole set (I'll fix the links) so that you can experience the city as I have.  It's a wonderful place.

Thanks for the comments on this one.  I really did have a great time here.  I'm coming home tonight (but it's a 20 hr drive) so the rest of the pics will be up be Saturday sometime.  I urge you all to come back, and check out the whole set (I'll fix the links) so that you can experience the city as I have.  It's a wonderful place.

 

YOU DROVE??  IN ALL THAT BAD WEATHER?  PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!

Thanks for all the pics. I really like Denver. Great Mountain views, some good urban areas, an active downtown and mass transit. They also are very progressive with green build and smart growth.

I agree .. Denver looks amazing!

 

What is the energy like on the streets, Prok? Is it very pedestrian-friendly? Do people seem to take advantage of that?

 

Thanks for the pics!

 

There were tons of people walking the streets everywhere I went.  Everyone was generally friendly too, and no one was overweight.  I walked over 14 miles around this city over 4 days and didn't have one issue.  It's incredibly walkable, and has amenities for families everywhere including downtown (playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, etc)

Streets with trees > Streets without tress

 

Streets with trees > Streets without tress

 

 

I don't agree with that as a general statement. Sometimes trees are visual clutter that obstruct and disrupt the streetscape. In that setting, I think they'd be so puny in comparison to the wall of built environment that they'd look like litter at the curb, and spoil the clean linearity of that view. The lampposts cut into it just enough for variety. Trees would be too much.

 

Now, if they'd modify that street to two traffic lanes, they could separate off two generous curb lanes for parking and/or non-motorized transport by using medians with plantings and trees. I think that would work better than putting trees at the edge of the existing sidewalks.

I think they should line that street with Bonzai trees.

 

 

These trees are on drugs!