The last bus may have rolled away, but the site of RTD’s former central bus terminal is still a bustling hub of activity. Denver-based developer Continuum Partners has reimagined the block bordered by 16th, 17th, Market, and Blake Streets as Market Station, creating a lively new mix of residential, office, retail, and gathering spaces right in the heart of the city.

Designed by architecture firm El Dorado in collaboration with BOKA Powell, Market Station features rental units for two styles of living. Inspired by European lofts, the Flats offers 171 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments sized from 400 to 1,000 square feet. Their compact spaces are packed with style and convenience, including Italian cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances, tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, and in-unit laundry facilities. Each unit also has a balcony. The 54 larger residences at Fourteen 45 range in size from 900 to 1,400 square feet, and are available in one- and two-bedroom configurations. These more luxurious accommodations feature oak floors, quartz countertops, and walk-in closets.

Clean lines, neutral tones, and clever space-saving solutions like fold-down tables make residences at the Flats elegant and efficient. Photo courtesy of Market Station
Bright tiled bathrooms feature natural light and walk-in showers. Photo courtesy of Market Station

Rikke Jorgensen, principal of Denver-based Styleworks, designed the residences’ interiors. The smaller apartments at the Flats rely on flexible spaces to maximize their potential. “The design focus became a study in getting the most out of each space with a few must-haves such as gear walls, full kitchens, and either an office alcove or a fold-down table—an avid outdoor person and a city-focused home chef should both be able to fit their gear,” she says.

At Fourteen 45, Jorgensen designed the units to feel like sophisticated condos. “Luxury is in the details and the choice of materials,” she says. “Natural woods for floors and cabinets, soft-to-the-touch tile in the main bathrooms, and an understated kitchen design with trash pull-outs, integrated appliances, and oversized islands for entertaining.” Each unit also has an outdoor terrace for enjoying city and mountain views.

Condo kitchens at Fourteen 45 are designed with Italian cabinetry, Bosch appliances, quartz countertops, and spacious islands. Photo courtesy of Market Station
Fourteen 45 units have open-plan living and dining spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows. Photo courtesy of Market Station
Generous balcony spaces offer fresh-air living and dining areas for Fourteen 45 condo dwellers. Photo courtesy of Market Station

Market Station’s other entertainment-friendly amenities include a rooftop terrace outfitted with a pool and BBQ grills, and an indoor-outdoor Club Room. There’s a two-level fitness center, two outdoor dog runs with an indoor dog-washing station, and 24-hour valet indoor parking served by a mechanical car-stacking system. On the cultural front, a community arts program will showcase a selection of local and international artwork.

From the street, the multi-building complex is an eye-catcher, with a multi-colored and textured brick exterior that’s a contemporary nod to surrounding LoDo architecture. Along with its residential spaces, Market Station also features 95,000 square feet of office space and 82,000 square feet for retail and restaurant tenants. The Arcade and Paseo alleyways meander between the buildings, providing fun shopping, dining, and social zones embellished with murals curated by Denver’s Like Minded Productions.

The Club Room offers a spacious communal kitchen and dining area. Photo courtesy of Market Station
Residents and their guests can lounge inside or out, thanks to flexible Club Room spaces. Photo courtesy of Market Station

Monthly rental rates for apartments at the Flats start at $1,260 for studio units, $1,690 for one-bedroom units, and $2,810 for two-bedroom units. Fourteen 45 monthly rental rates start at $2,950 for one-bedroom or $3,470 for two-bedroom condos.

Anna Frenzel, the Denver/West vice president of operations for Gables Residential (which handles leasing), explains the appeal of the new development: “You gain camaraderie, convenience, and collectivism all in one decision to rent at Market Station,” she says. “Having a pool on-site within lower downtown Denver is a great benefit and amenity for our community, and we anticipate it to be a common social gathering place for both buildings.” The reception has been enthusiastic, she adds. “Market Station has experienced overwhelmingly positive feedback from renters, neighbors, and surrounding businesses so far,” she says. “The purposeful attention to every detail by all involved to create this one-of-a-kind community is being celebrated loud and clear.”