HDR Expands Denver Presence with Move to Block 162 Tower
HDR,a leading architecture,engineering,adn construction services firm,is substantially expanding its Denver footprint with a move to the Block 162 tower at 675 15th St. in downtown Denver. The firm has leased 74,000 square feet across 2.5 floors,a significant increase from its current office space and a clear indication of its continued growth in the region. This move represents a major investment in the Denver market and underscores HDR’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and thriving work habitat.
A Quarter-Century of Growth in Colorado
Brad Martin, who has been with HDR for 25 years, reflects on the firm’s remarkable journey in Colorado. Starting with a modest team of 67 employees, HDR’s Denver office has blossomed into a major hub, now supporting a staff exceeding 500. This growth is a testament to the firm’s success in securing high-profile projects and attracting top talent. The new office space is designed to accommodate this expansion and facilitate further growth.
Why Block 162? Location, Connectivity, and Collaboration
HDR’s current lease at 1670 Broadway expires in october, prompting the search for a new location.While the existing space served the company well since 2013, the prospect to upgrade to a more modern and strategically located facility proved too compelling to pass up. After touring eight buildings, Block 162 emerged as the clear choice due to its central location within Denver’s urban core.
“People do the best work when they’re happy, and my goal is to create an environment where the best in the business can exercise what they’re good at,” says Martin, emphasizing the importance of a positive work environment.
The benefits of the new location extend beyond mere convenience. The Block 162 tower offers improved accessibility to hotels and restaurants, eliminating the challenges posed by crossing the busy Broadway thoroughfare. More importantly, the new space will address a key limitation of the current office layout: its fragmented nature. HDR’s existing Denver office is spread across 3.5 noncontiguous floors, hindering seamless collaboration. Block 162’s larger, contiguous floors will foster greater interaction and synergy among teams.
Jocelyn Hittle, managing principal for HDR’s architecture practice, highlights this point: “we are a fundamentally collaborative company, with expertise across sectors and disciplines, and the new office space will support this collaboration among our teams and with our clients and partners.”
A Flexible Approach to Workplace Culture
HDR is embracing a flexible approach to its return-to-office policy. While encouraging employees to come into the office five days a week, the firm is prioritizing employee morale and avoiding rigid mandates. This “encouraged ‘please come’” approach reflects a modern understanding of work-life balance and the importance of employee well-being.
HDR’s Impact on Colorado’s Infrastructure
HDR has been instrumental in shaping Colorado’s infrastructure landscape, contributing to several high-profile projects. these include:
- I-70 Floyd Hill Bridge: The recently completed bridge represents a significant advancement to a critical transportation corridor.
- Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital: HDR played a key role in the development of this state-of-the-art healthcare facility in Wheat Ridge.
- Speer Boulevard Rerouting Study: The firm is currently conducting a study to explore potential improvements to Speer Boulevard, a major artery in Denver.
These projects demonstrate HDR’s commitment to delivering innovative and enduring solutions that benefit the Colorado community.
Impact on the Denver Real Estate Market
The move to Block 162 has implications for the Denver commercial real estate market. The deal is a positive development for Patrinely, the Houston-based firm that owns the tower, bringing the building to approximately 90% leased. this follows a November declaration of a lease with Bank of America, which brought the tower to 75% occupancy. The addition of a prominent tenant like HDR further solidifies Block 162’s position as a premier office destination in downtown Denver.
Though, the move also presents a challenge for 1670 Broadway, which is losing both HDR and TIAA as anchor tenants.This highlights the competitive nature of the Denver office market and the importance of attracting and retaining high-quality tenants.
Block 162: A Growing Hub of Activity
Completed in 2021, Block 162 has quickly become a sought-after address for leading companies. Along with HDR and Bank of America, the tower is home to prominent law firms such as taft and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. The ground floor is also set to welcome Leven Downtown, the tower’s first restaurant tenant, which is expected to open later this year. This mix of tenants contributes to a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere within the building.
Key Takeaways
- HDR is expanding its Denver office to 74,000 square feet in the Block 162 tower.
- The move is driven by a desire for a more collaborative and centrally located workspace.
- HDR’s Denver office has grown from 67 employees to over 500 in the past 25 years.
- The firm is committed to a flexible work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.
- HDR has played a significant role in shaping Colorado’s infrastructure through its involvement in key projects.
The expansion of HDR’s Denver office signifies a positive outlook for the firm and the region’s economy.As HDR continues to grow and innovate, its presence in Denver will undoubtedly contribute to the city’s continued success as a hub for architecture, engineering, and construction.
