By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor<\/p>\n
A new mixed-use project is planned in Denver and construction could begin as soon as the second quarter, according to The Denver Business Journal<\/em>. The plan envisions a retail center, luxury apartment complex and retirement community on the highest elevation point in Denver: the Highpointe Neighborhood.<\/p>\n The retail segment of the project located on the corner of I-25 and East Hampden will be handled by D.H. Friedman Properties LLC of Denver. The site is northeast of the high-traffic intersection where the Mariott and then Four Points by Sheraton was located.<\/p>\n The development’s owner David Friedman spoke at a meeting, organized by Denver City Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann, about the project’s three distinct segments and three owners.<\/p>\n On the retail front he said plans call for a full-service restaurant with a rooftop patio so that customers can enjoy the mountain view to the west. Attendees expressed their preference for a local restaurant rather than a chain.<\/p>\n Mike Longfellow, senior vice president at Denver-based Spectrum Retirement Communities LLC, presented the plans for a 90-unit assisted living retirement community for the northern part of the property.<\/p>\n Kevin Foltz, development director of Forum Real Estate Group LLC, said the Veranda Highpointe apartments would feature 362 units in a five-story high complex. Using a 360-degree architecture design, the apartments would wrap around a 520-stall parking garage and two courtyards.<\/p>\n The apartment units are expected to be available by the end of 2013 and the Spectrum facility by mid-2013.<\/p>\n