Taxi II hails tenant BRS Architecture

An urban pioneer, firm will anchor River North project

John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News

Friday, July 28, 2006

Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture has long been an urban pioneer, leasing space in funky neighborhoods before they became trendy.

Thirty years ago, the firm was one of the first tenants in lower downtown, long before the neighborhood was LoDo.

Then, it leased two different spaces in Highland, before that neighborhood took off.

BRS, one of the nation's largest designers of recreation centers, is now going to be an anchor tenant in Taxi II, the new development by Mickey Zeppelin along the Platte River in the fledgling River North neighborhood.

BRS was within a hair of signing a deal near a light-rail station in Littleton before deciding to buy a 10,700- square-foot space at Taxi II, which is built on the former headquarters site for the Yellow Cab Co.

"We looked at three or four projects and were about to ink a deal in Littleton and then we learned about TAXI," said Bruce Flynn, a principal of the firm.

The firm is designing several community centers around the country funded by a $1.5 billion donation to the Salvation Army from the estate of the late Joan and Ray Kroc, founders of McDonalds.

"When we looked at Taxi II, it really caught fire for us," Flynn said. "We really liked the creative environment and knew we would be stimulated by other people already there in the design-and-create profession."

Flynn said the cost of the space is still "a bit hazy," but it probably will cost about $200 to $230 per square foot, or about $2.1 million to $2.5 million.

"Our analysis is that it will save us a tremendous amount of money over renting," he said. "Plus, it will be much more efficient. We really need a lot of space for spontaneous meetings of two to 20 people that is supported by a lot of projected media and paste-up space. Mickey's building allows that to happen."

Their space will be ready for them early next year, Zeppelin said.

"This is key for us because they share so many of our values," Zeppelin said. "They're just the kind of company we want out here and will help create a sense of community."

The Taxi II development at 3455 Ringsby Court, just north of Coors Field on the other side of the Platte River, will have 65,000 square feet of office space and 43 condos. The first phase had 40,000 square feet of space. When completed, the development will have 300,000 square feet.

rebchookj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5207