Gorman & Co. has broken ground on its first development in metro Denver, a mixed-use development that will feature 42 affordable housing units.
Terraza del Sol will be a key project in the Westwood neighborhood, where coordinated efforts are underway by the city, Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Colorado Health Foundation, the Urban Land Institute and others to bring new investment to the area. Almost one-third of all of Denver’s substandard housing units are located in Westwood, and 95% of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, according to officials.
“As a young man, my family constantly moved searching for decent, safe, and affordable housing,” said Denver Councilman Paul Lopez, who represents the area, in a statement. “Every time we moved, I had to change schools, make new friends, and the six of us would share a two-bedroom apartment. By providing the units at Terraza del Sol, we are not only creating affordability but sustainability in the lives of people in Westwood.”
Mi Casa Resource Center, a Denver-based nonprofit that has served the community for four decades, will open its new headquarters and Family Economic and Education Center on the main floor of the building. At nearly 20,000 square feet, the space will house Mi Casa and its core partners, who will provide entrepreneurial training, business counseling, job search assistance, English as a Second Language programs, and other services.
The $15 million Terraza del Sol project is being financed through the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Denver Office of Economic Development, Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Citibank, and Enterprise Community Partners. It was designed by Shopworks Architecture, and the general contractor is Deneuve Construction Services. When complete, the property will be managed by The Ross Management Group.
Gorman specializes in revitalizing communities through innovative housing partnerships. The firm opened its Colorado office last spring and broke ground on Lions Ridge, a workforce housing development in Vail, last September. The firm specializes in downtown revitalization, the preservation of affordable housing, workforce housing, and the adaptive reuse of significant historic buildings. Gorman also has offices in Chicago; Madison, Wis.; Miami; and Phoenix.
