A peek inside Denver’s 'canyon building' One River North

One River North, which has quickly become a distinctive landmark in Denver, is finally ready to be lived in.

For nearly 2.5 years, those driving on Interstate 70 and Interstate 25 through the River North Arts District (RiNo) have seen construction workers building up the 16-floor apartment tower seemingly broken by a giant canyon-like gash cutting through it.

On Wednesday, the building officially opens.

Construction has almost wrapped up as crews put on finishing touches and complete work on the rooftop terrace. 

Several early residents have already moved into the building, 3930 Blake Street, property manager Madeline Haslett told the Denver Gazette at a media preview on Tuesday. But the opening will mark the start of apartment tours — an essential part of attracting residents to fill the architectural marvel.

So far, One River North leased 17 of its 187 apartments “sight unseen” since opening its pre-leasing applications in October, she said, but expects the number to climb once viewing tours begin.

"Because we were still under construction," she said, "it's hard for people to visualize."

Architectural journey of Colorado’s biomes

Starting this week, prospective residents can see inside the biophilic building taking inspiration directly from Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for the first time.

“The concept behind it was to really integrate the things that Coloradans love, which is an urban atmosphere and nature,” said Developer K.C. Yasmer.

The project began in 2019, with construction starting in 2021, by a group of development firms: the Max Collaborative, Uplands Real Estate Partners, Wynne Yasmer Real Estate and Zakhem Real Estate Group. It was designed by Beijing-based MAD Architects — the firm behind George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Arts in L.A. — and Denver’s Davis Partnerships.

The building represents the “ascension of the Colorado biomes,” Haslett said.

It starts with the foothills on the ground floor where businesses will greet both residents and RiNo pedestrians, Yasmer said.

The middle floors are home to the “canyon,” the building’s most striking feature from the outside. It's supported by skeleton-like columns made of plaster and has a several-story hiking trail open only for residents to walk through with natural flora recently planted for springtime and a cascading waterfall, offering a place of respite with tranquil sounds of streaming water.

It offers more than 13,350 square-feet of the outdoor environment without someone ever leaving the building.

Then there’s the top floor, where there’s a rooftop terrace still under construction and a swimming pool.

It’s the “plateau” of the building, Yasmer said.

Or the “alpine lake,” Haslett added.

Over time, Denver’s dusty atmosphere could change the color of the building’s tan plastered canyon.

“Some of the character of the building will be how it darkens or changes over time,” Haslett said.

The site of One River North used to be a single-story industrial building.

It was an ideal spot because of the artsy neighborhood culture and it better showcases the building’s architecture, Yasmer said.

In front of One River North is the Regional Transportation District’s 38th and Blake light rail train station. The curvature of the RTD tracks fit perfectly with the building’s architecture, Yasmer said, and being by both interstates gives people a more expansive view of it compared to a more inland location where it could be blocked by other buildings.

How much are apartments?

One River North offers 187 apartments including one, two, three bedroom units — 14 of which are income restricted. They range between 625 square feet to 2,500 square feet and have full kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows and some rooms have private terraces.

Market-rate apartments start at $2,600 to $16,000 a month, Haslett said.

But for one on the perimeter of the iconic gash, with a private terrace, apartments start around $7,000 a month.

Almost every unit has a different layout because of the building’s unique shape and some ceilings are as high as 12 feet.

Kitchen island counters are edged with wood and the bathrooms are lined with pebble stone. Rooms have expansive views of the Rocky Mountains, downtown Denver’s skyline and plenty of natural light.

Most of the income-restricted apartments have been the first to be leased out, Haslett said.

After a TikTok video posted in September about the luxury building’s affordable housing garnered more than 1 million views, Haslett said One River North’s online traffic spiked and more than 1,000 people went through their marketing pipeline. 

“They're no different than any other standard units,” Haslett said. “But the standard is definitely a premium when you look at other buildings in the area for sure.”

The attention not only attracted applicants for their affordable housing, she added, but their market-rate rooms as well.

The building’s 14 units are for those who earn under 80% of the average median income in Denver, which the city defined in 2023 as nearly $70,000 for a one-person household. The city caps rents for a one bedroom at $1,860 for individuals at 80% AMI.

It’s part of an ordinance passed in 2022 requiring new housing developments to offer at least 8% of its units as affordable housing or pay a fee ranging between $250,000 and nearly $450,000 toward a fund set for building more affordable housing elsewhere in the city.

The building's amenities include a clubhouse called the “grotto,” a gym, indoor and outdoor yoga studio, parking garage, bike lounge, and a pet spa.

One River North also has its own signature scents, part of a growing marketing trend in the real estate and hospitality industry to evoke certain feelings or nostalgia for visitors.

Haslett wouldn’t say what the building’s official perfumes are but that the gym area uses a scent to “energize” guests and most of the building is reminiscent of a “St. Regis alpine hotel.”

After opening, what’s next?

So far, no businesses have been announced for the 8,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.

The building is talking with a “number” of prospects and is looking for the right fit to be both a public asset and an amenity for residents, said Yasmer, co-founder of Wynne Yasmer Real Estate. He mentioned the space could be home to a café, wine shop, restaurant or sauna.

“We're trying to curate that space with tenants that go along with the vision for the entire building,” Yasmer said.

Wynne Yasmer and Uplands Real Estate Partners also purchased a neighboring RiNo site for $9 million to develop a 305-unit luxury apartment complex dubbed “Amara.”

Renderings of the project show a standard luxury development. No giant cracks or quirky natural features in sight. Yasmer declined comment on the next project, but said it would be completely separate from One River North.

But are the building’s developers working on any other future projects that could stand out in Denver’s skyline as much as One River North?

“Not right now,” Yasmer said.

With its opening, he said it’ll be a gauge on whether the hype will translate to real residents.

After that, he said, then they might work on developing a building of One River North's scale again in the future.