Resource Land Holdings LLC procured 619 North Cascade to serve as the Downtown Colorado Springs Headquarters for their growing business.  The project intent provides jobs within downtown, and refreshes an aged building with a currently lifeless street-front transforming it with exciting and desirable character to complement the future downtown experience.  While respective of neighboring character and building types, all four sides of the building and the public experience are improved.  One of the key goals in the client’s design directive sums it all up…”619 North Cascade should serve as a recruiting tool for our business in drawing MBA’s and potential candidates to want to work in Colorado Springs”.  Reinvigorating old lifeless buildings, improving public experience and street-fronts, and drawing business to downtown Colorado Springs benefit the public and advance goals of the Imagine Downtown Plan.

The exterior of the existing structure was stark, lacking articulation and depth.  The materials were cold, uninviting and outdated.  We added a variety of warm materials to the façade such as brick and WRCLA certified cedar.  The building implements sustainable materials and design strategies throughout the project while embracing respect for the historical nature of the existing and surrounding buildings.  We maintained as much of the existing materials on the exterior as appropriate.  The existing brick at the first floor was in good condition.  Over the course of demolition removed brick was saved to reuse in alternate locations.  The new design incorporates stucco panels, operable windows and sunshades that create articulation and motion on the façade while improving the interior environment.  A tower was added at the west façade to denote the main entry.

The interior of the existing building was dark, with minimal glazing and no connection to the exterior despite stunning mountain views to the west.  The new design maximizes exterior connectivity and views with fixed and operable glazing on all facades.  Glazing at a new penthouse and entry tower also maximizes daylight in the interior spaces.  The existing ceiling was removed and wide flange steel structure exposed in most locations to maximize interior space.  Nearly all of the existing structure was retained.   Glazing was also included in all interior offices to allow visual connectivity to the exterior.  Circulation takes place along gentle radius walls on four sides of the interior offices to create visual interest.  Way finding and departments are emphasized with subtle color differential and low VOC materials are used throughout.  The design also introduces a fitness room with showers and bicycle storage allowing occupants the opportunity to commute via bicycle. 

Since its completion, the Resource Land Holdings building has been well received throughout the downtown district of Colorado Springs.  The project was awarded a grant from the Downtown Development Authority due to its benefit to the revitalization of Downtown Colorado Springs. The adjacent neighborhood and nearby Colorado College have received the project as a step forward in bringing progressive Architecture to Colorado Springs. Area: 15,000 SF

AIA Colorado 2009 Jury Comments:
"A great example of adaptive re-use and why one should use an architect. If ever there was a project that showcased the "value" an architect brings to a project this was it!"

"Very nice transformation - a complete make-over."

"Very 3 dimensional - a lot going on compared with original building.You would not recognize this building if you had missed the make-over construction."

"Interior well done within such tight constraints - restrained, well thought out and nice use of color."

"We liked the 'opening' of spaces on to one another. We also liked that the architect kept the 'funky' 60's stair rail."

"The transformation is clearly of its own time - a poster child for what can be!"

the Benjamin Moore building is a contributing building in the Ballpark Historic District of Denver. It was originally built in 1921, with various additions made through 1947. The building was once a paint factory, was then used for office, storage, and distribution of Benjamin Moore paint products. St. Charles Town Company hired OZ to convert this 65,000 square foot building into 49 entry-level lofts. OZ worked closely with the City of Denver to rezone the property, and also with the Landmark Commission as the design developed. The historic exterior of the building was appropriately rehabilitated. The raw industrial materials and structure of the building is maintained and expressed in the interiors, to create true industrial urban lofts.

The Buerger Brothers Building was a manufacturing, shipping and repair facility, and also housed a wholesale showroom and demonstration area. This concrete-frame art deco building (originally built in 1929) was connected to the wood and masonry Fire Clay building (originally built in 1892). The existing basement was converted into vehicle parking and storage, and special care was taken to preserve remaining historic features of both the exterior and interior of the structure.

This mixed-use housing/commercial building, which was once the Chamber of Commerce Building, lies one-half block outside the boundaries of what was Denver's 1960s - 1970s urban-renewal district. Due to its location, the historic landmark (built in 1909) was saved from the wrecking ball that destroyed much of downtown Denver's architectural heritage. Until the mid-1990s, the building had been vacant for many years and in derelict condition. Now is has been redeveloped into residential loft units and office space with parking and storage underground and office/retail space on the first floor.

The restoration of this 1899 building included structural repair, stabilization, and strengthening to meet current building codes. The exterior restoration included replacement of two towers, new cedar roof shingles, repair of siding and trim, installation of new gutters, exterior painting, and new veranda lighting. Site work also corrected drainage problems at the foundations.

As the former McPhee & McGinnity Building - and a city landmark due to its prominent clock tower, this 1923 commercial-style, heavy timber and masonry building has served a manufacturing function for most of its existence. OZ Architecture was hired to convert the building into a mix of 37 one and two-bedroom units. As part of the renovation, the tower was converted into a three-story loft unit with spectacular views from all sides, and the clock mechanism was restored to active use. The 9,750 square-foot basement provides 18 parking spaces and building storage.

On the Registry of Historic Places, the Elitch Theatre is being renovated to meet local and national historical requirements. Most exterior items such as siding, canopies, roofing, columns and stairs, are to be removed and replaced in-kind. A new, smaller fly building is to be built on the same location of the previous fly building, which will be torn down with the Theatre Apartments project. Site work around the project is minimal and to be done on the immediate surroundings of the Theatre.

The C. B. Irwin Residences offer a lifestyle never before available in Cheyenne. Located on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Capitol North Historic District near the State Capitol and the Cheyenne Civic Center, The Irwin offers luxury homes with unparalleled refinement. Granite countertops, hardwood floors and state of the art telecommunications are enclosed in formidable, quiet and enduring steel and concrete construction. Secure and convenient indoor parking is provided on-site and elegant interior finishes are incorporated into each residence. The design was inspired by the legacy of C.B. "Charlie" Irwin, a noted Cheyenne rancher, rodeo cowboy and impresario. The historic barn on the site has been preserved and transformed into an amenities building supporting the tradition of rich Cheyenne hospitality for the new residents.