Taylor Kohrs teamed up with Denver Housing Authority, Denver Health, and Davis Partnership Architects to revitalize a National Park accredited historic office building in downtown Denver. The project converted the 10-story medical office building at 655 Broadway, eight stories of which were completed in 1956 with two additional floors completed in 1957, into 110 affordable senior housing units and a homeless rehabilitation center. This building, formerly referred to as the “Silverado Building,” is a prime example of International style architecture in Denver, displaying a prominent symmetrical design with curtain walls of glazed windows on all four sides, as well as a flat roof.
Each color-coded floor of the building includes a laundry room and trash chutes. One centrally located elevator core with two cabs and two stair cores connect the building for accessibility for the residents. All new central systems and in-unit MEP systems were installed throughout the building. The two subterranean levels are designated for storage and mechanical functions. The main level includes the lobby, community room, leasing office, fitness center, fire command center, mail room, restrooms, and an exterior deck. Each floor was renovated into a mix of studio and one bedroom affordable apartment units with a max AMI level of 60%. Additional work includes new glazing on the exterior of the building, the repainting of the spandrel panels to preserve the building’s original aqua color, and the installation of flagstone veneer on the exterior of the ground level.
Denver Health utilizes the second floor of the building for respite care for patients transitioning out of the hospital next door. There are a total of 14 units to be used to help transition unhoused patients from Denver Health into housing after their hospital stay. This remarkable initiative was funded through Historic Tax Credits and a 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
