Does Denver need a new Tallest? (Center: costs, floors, bus)

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by MorganWall

I just wanna see the trango tower get built because cities like Cleveland, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Miami and New Orleans have a smaller populations but they all have way bigger towers than Denver I think a good high rise building would be cool for Denver because it seems like from far away all you can see are 3 buildings it would be nice if there were a few more buildings

Where do you get your info that those cities have "way bigger towers" then Denver? Except for Atlanta, Denver's skyline is very comparable to any of those cities right now. Hell, they are so comparable, that all it would take for Denver to beat most of those cities (height wise), would be to add several 100 foot tall antennas on top of a couple of Downtown buildings.

IMHO, Denver's skyline as it is, is one of the greatest for a city it's size. Just sayin.

1. Atlanta, Bank of America Plaza 1,023 ft. 55 floors.
2. Cleveland, Key Tower 947 ft. 57 floors.
3. Atlanta, SunTrust Plaza 871 ft. 60 floors.
4. Atlanta, One Atlantic Center 820 ft. 50 floors.
5. Minneapolis, IDS Tower 792 ft.57 floors.
6. Miami, Four Seasons Hotel & Tower 789 ft. 64 floors.
7. Minneapolis, Capella Tower 776 ft. 56 floors.
8. Minneapolis, Wells Fargo Center 773 ft. 57 floors.
9. Atlanta, 191 Peachtree Tower 770 ft. 50 floors.
10. Miami, Southeast Financial Center 764 ft. 55 floors.
11. Atlanta, Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel 723 ft. 70 floors.
12. Denver, Republic Plaza 714 ft. 56 floors.
13. Denver, 1801 California Street 709 ft. 53 floors.
14. Cleveland, Terminal Tower 708 ft. 52 floors.
15. Miami, Marquis Miami 700 ft. 63 floors.
16. New Orleans, 697 ft. 51 floors.

[wildlobo71]

When I was a kid, skyscrapers were my passion... They were truly one of the few American forms of architecture... Living and growing up in Denver, I had always hoped for more than what the early 1980s gave us... I have files and files of skyscrapers never built, but proposed, for Denver. I knew when I grew up I would be an architect designing skyscrapers.

I've been an architect for 15 years, haven't done anything except for two hotels in Denver more than 6 stories. And now that I understand the skyscraper economy, I dont think we "need" taller buildings to compete... Let oklahoma city get to 800 feet... Doesnt make me think for one minute their quality of life and things to do outshine Denver. Tall buildings don't necessarily equal great cities.

[BruceTenmile]

Originally Posted by wildlobo71

When I was a kid, skyscrapers were my passion... They were truly one of the few American forms of architecture... Living and growing up in Denver, I had always hoped for more than what the early 1980s gave us... I have files and files of skyscrapers never built, but proposed, for Denver. I knew when I grew up I would be an architect designing skyscrapers.

I've been an architect for 15 years, haven't done anything except for two hotels in Denver more than 6 stories. And now that I understand the skyscraper economy, I dont think we "need" taller buildings to compete... Let oklahoma city get to 800 feet... Doesnt make me think for one minute their quality of life and things to do outshine Denver. Tall buildings don't necessarily equal great cities.

I agree that skyscrapers do not a great city make, but I don't think anyone said they did. I only started this from a purely aesthetic standpoint. Would Denver look nicer from afar with some taller scrapers? I don't care whether it's viable, or economical necessary, I'm just wondering what people's view is on whether it would improve the Denver skyline is.

[iknowftbll]

Originally Posted by BruceTenmile

Would Denver look nicer from afar with some taller scrapers?

It just depends on design and location. We keep bringing up Trango Tower and that would have been an eyesore no matter where it was built. Also, I know a lot here on C-D criticize Denver's skyline as being dated and "boxy". While it is easy tell that most of the buildings there were designed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I still think it's a good looking cluster of buildings. I don't really think it needs a new tallest so much as a few new mid-rises that are well designed and add some newness to the skyline. A new tallest wouldn't break my heart, so long as it doesn't look ugly (read: isn't Trango Tower).

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by BruceTenmile

I agree that skyscrapers do not a great city make, but I don't think anyone said they did. I only started this from a purely aesthetic standpoint. Would Denver look nicer from afar with some taller scrapers? I don't care whether it's viable, or economical necessary, I'm just wondering what people's view is on whether it would improve the Denver skyline is.

It depends. If done right, it could improve it. If don't wrong, it could make it look worse. I really don't see the need though. The Denver skyline looks great, just as it is. I think especially the "Cash Register" building looks very uniquely Denver. I guess if I'm trying to think of a way the skyline could look better. I think is too bad that more of the Downtown buildings don't have pointy things on top of them, or something. Just to add a little height, and make them look more unique. But the current size and mix of buildings looks fine to me.

[maximusmgm]

Rather than having a new tallest I would like to see more infill and get rid of the surface parking lots in the downtown area. Medium height buildings with some sort of architectural variety (rather than just a big box) just tall enough to add density to the skyline would...I think...look best.

[BruceTenmile]

Originally Posted by maximusmgm

Rather than having a new tallest I would like to see more infill and get rid of the surface parking lots in the downtown area. Medium height buildings with some sort of architectural variety (rather than just a big box) just tall enough to add density to the skyline would...I think...look best.

This seems to be the consensus and I think I agree now. I'm thinking now maybe between 4 and 8 scrapers of 160-200m would be good.

[zenkonami]

I get pretty tired myself of the same 3 color medium height box buildings with "fins" every time a new building goes up. I'd also much rather see some medium height buildings with some character and unique architecture rather than the whole "modern CPV / LoDo" look that seems to be proliferating right now. Maybe a little more ornamentation or something bold...something that looks like it could last for more than 50 years.

[BruceTenmile]

Originally Posted by zenkonami

I get pretty tired myself of the same 3 color medium height box buildings with "fins" every time a new building goes up. I'd also much rather see some medium height buildings with some character and unique architecture rather than the whole "modern CPV / LoDo" look that seems to be proliferating right now. Maybe a little more ornamentation or something bold...something that looks like it could last for more than 50 years.

Would you care to explain further what you mean by 'same 3 color medium height box buildings with "fins"' and '"modern CPV / LoDo" look'?

[SouthXSW]

More glassy condo towers like Glass House in CPV and the Spire would modernize the skyline. There is a current proposal for a slick solid glass office building and hotel at 18th & Curtis that would really be great.