CB Richard Ellis confirmed today that Champa Center - 1600 Champa St. is now Champa Square.  I recently posted an update on October 30th.  Additional details were confirmed in the story including that Library Bar & Grill will NOT be located in the basement as was previously planned (the DBJ calls it the Liberty Bar & Grill).  Also the size of the giant TV screen will be 20 feet by 50 feet and will advertise Downtown events.  KeyBank will be taking 4,500 SF right at the corner.

Champa Square will be ready for new office tenants in January 2009.  I really hope they are able to lease the 20,000 SF of office space as well as the 13,500 SF of basement retail space quickly. I will get photos of the completed facade and the new screen later in 2009. 

Downtown Denver is getting a new pizza place - My Pizza Peel.  Details were revealed this week in the online edition of the Denver Business Journal.  According to the article the new restaurant will replace La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill at 818 17th St. on the south side of the Magnolia Hotel (17th & Stout) .  I have never been to the owners’ other restaurants but it would appear that he knows Italian. 

I am perplexed because there has been a “Berny’s” coming soon sign next to that Quizno’s for over a year now.  That window sign even goes so far as to say “If you love Harry’s you’ll love Berny’s”.  I guess I will have to wait it out.  Harry’s, just off of the valet stand, is awesome for happy hour and after dinner drinks.  My Pizza Peel plans to open on New Year’s Day.

Renovations at the Sheraton Denver hotel are in now in full swing.  Recently the entire right side of the building was closed so that the $70 million dollar project could begin.  Bravo! Ristorante has officially closed and it is not expected to reopen.  The Capitol Bar will be remodeled but reopen under a different concept sometime next year when work is complete.

As part of the renovations the entire valet, lobby and check in operations have been moved across the street to the original lobby that was used until the massive cube addition took the place of the former I.M. Pei designed May D&F store building.  I am excited to see this much progress and am looking forward to what new restaurant will take the Bravo space.  Katie Mullen’s construction is also underway in the former Supreme Court space - they plan on opening in early February just in time for St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

Ling & Louie’s at the Tabor Center is nearing completion.  Recently permanent signage went up and it is reported that the restaurant will open in early December - just a bit later than originally planned.

I first posted about this project in April.  I have heard that Christopher & Banks might be leaving so that would leave a great opportunity for a new retailer to take all of that frontage along the 16th St. Mall.  In any case it is critical that we fill up all of the vacant ground floor retail space along the mall so that we can increase pedestrian traffic and spur new retailers.