Major Cherry Creek project on mall's west end moves closer to development

The latest project to build on Cherry Creek's recent growth aims to bring housing and retail to one of Denver's swankiest neighborhoods.

State of play: The plan for roughly 13 acres next to Cherry Creek mall, dubbed Cherry Creek West , got a major boost Tuesday from a Denver City Council committee, which forwarded a rezoning request to the full council.

• Rezoning will allow the project's developer East West Partners to build up to 13-story structures and ground-floor homes.

Why it matters: The project would transform a mostly vacant lot into an area with amenities and necessities — all within a 15-minute walk.

The big picture: Cherry Creek's growth is seemingly outpacing downtown Denver's .

• The neighborhood roughly four miles southeast of the city center has long served as a destination for businesses and people drawn by its upscale reputation and retail offerings.

What they're saying: "Our goal is not to take from downtown," Amy Cara, Denver managing partner at East West Partners, told us, noting Cherry Creek has a fraction of the city's overall office space.

• "We all succeed with a strong downtown."

By the numbers: Plans for Cherry Creek West include seven buildings, split between four residential structures with roughly 825 units, and three office buildings.

• About 100,000 square feet would be available to restaurants and retail, with more than 2,000 parking spaces across two levels of lots, and four acres of open space.
• Cara said the entire project is expected to cost more than $1 billion.

The other side: The massive project is drawing some opposition, including from neighborhood groups that want to see stricter limits on the development's ultimate size, the Denver Gazette reports .

• Council members on Tuesday also raised questions about how the new development will affect local traffic.

The fine print: Cara added that 12% of the residential units will be affordable, so roughly 100 units will be available for a single person making 60% or less of the area median income (currently $54,780).

• She said this ensures people who work in the area can afford to live there, noting East West Partners plans on paying twice the linkage fee — required by the city to generate money for affordable housing — on the office properties.

What's next: Developers expect a final vote from Denver City Council on the rezoning request on Sept. 23.

• Demolition and abatement work will begin next year, with groundbreaking on the project's first phase expected in 2026.