First Century to build low-rise offices in LoDo

John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 17, 2006 at midnight

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First Century Development, headed by Jim McGibney, plans a 125,000-square-foot office building at 1775 Blake St. in the heart of lower downtown.

The architect for the building is RNL Design, and the general contractor is Haselden Construction.

"The building is of its time but is deeply respectful of the era" of older buildings in the area, McGibney said. "It's a really cool-looking building."

It is the smallest of about a half-dozen new office buildings planned in LoDo.

Dave Morrison, who is leasing the building with fellow Grubb & Ellis broker Chuck Ze- man, said the building will serve a special niche and he isn't worried about overbuilding.

He and Zeman said this building will be aimed at energy companies, law firms, financial institutions and engineering firms that want space in a low-rise, brand-new building in LoDo.

Zeman noted that most of the other buildings planned in LoDo are clustered around the other end of the neighborhood. McGibney said 1755 Blake will help breathe life into the 18th Street portion of the area.

The building will be energy-efficient but will not be LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certified, McGibney said.

The LEED process, which requires hiring specialists to document details, adds another layer of expenses, he said.

rebchookj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5207

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