BY DYLAN VANAVERY, SENIOR INNOVATION MANAGER
In the heart of Denver, Colorado a 234,000-square-foot, eight-story, 200-unit apartment building is being built next to the Platte River. However, the Revival on Platte project, located just across from Mile High Stadium, is not just another building rising from the ground.
Among the tower cranes that mark the growth happening in Denver, one thing makes this project different — the “all-in” vertically integrated approach to designing and constructing a multifamily apartment building.
“We’re using the strength of Mortenson’s diversified business to its fullest extent,” Kim Petit, senior project manager, said. “This project is a shining example of what’s possible when we vertically integrate Mortenson’s development, design, supply chain, manufacturing, and construction capabilities together as one.”
From the second level concrete podium upwards, the entire building is constructed with fully finished manufactured panels, built by BLUvera, which are made from cold-formed studs that are manufactured in their factory in St. Paul, Minnesota. With plumbing and ductwork integrated directly into the panels, on-site MEP installation complexities are minimized, enabling rapid installation on site. This design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) approach accelerates the construction timeline while also minimizing the amount of onsite labor needed to complete the MEP systems in the building.
“After the panels are done, the self-perform Mortenson carpenters move out of an area, then all the interior trades are ready to go,” Klay Adair, senior superintendent, said. “It moves faster because we are making simple connections between panels instead of running long runs of pipe.”
Going a step further, the project has also partnered with BLU54 to directly procure items like windows, lighting, balconies, stairs, railings, bathroom finishes, flooring, and more. This integrated approach provides better schedule certainty and lowers costs, as they collaborate directly with manufacturers.
“Our panels arrive completed all the way out the finished face, which is pretty unique,” Adair said. “We have a stucco EIFS assembly and are also utilizing a NewBrick product on the façade of the building as well.”
Innovating for the Future
The Revival on Platte Project is on track to be complete in Q1 2025 and challenges the status-quo for how multifamily buildings are delivered. As construction continues to progress, the Revival on Platte Project serves as a beacon of inspiration for the industry — a testament to what's possible when innovation and expertise converge on a singular vision.
