Mixed-Use Redevelopment Aims to Bring High-Design to Notorious Denver "Mousetrap"

A $100 million project proposing to create a design neighborhood at a former printing plant adjacent to a notorious interstate intersection is being made possible by Denver's light rail expansion, and the involvement of a renowned architect.

1 minute read

April 11, 2013, 8:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"The busy corner of Interstates 70 and 25 will be the site of a new residential, retail and office campus that developers hope will remake the image of an intersection known as the traffic-jamming Mousetrap," reports Ray Mark Rinaldi.

"The $100 million project, on the grounds of the former Denver Post printing plant, is driven by high design — from its architect, the internationally renowned Brad Cloepfil, who created Denver's sleek Clyfford Still Museum, to its featured tenants, commercial and residential designers who will locate their showrooms in the main building."

"But if all of Denver-based Ascendant Development's plans are realized, the 41-acre parcel also will include multi-family housing and a newly constructed building that will host collaborative office space for small, creative-sector businesses."

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in The Denver Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

3 hours ago - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

4 hours ago - GovTech

Top view new development riverside residential and commercial neighborhood with vacant land in Texas, USA.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas

Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.

5 hours ago - The Texas Tribune

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.