After almost 8 years at the Tabor Center the ESPN Zone in Downtown Denver quietly closed its doors on Monday.  Rumors had been circulating for months and hit a fevered pitch over the weekend.  As was my position on the demise of the Virgin Megastore at the Denver Pavilions, I see this as a positive development for retail in Downtown Denver in the long run.  It will not be a slam dunk in re-leasing 24,000 square feet of second floor retail space but it does overlook the 16th Street Mall and opportunities like this rarely present themselves.  I contend that this is yet another example of an outdated retail concept ”dying” and in its place new opportunities can be realized.

Given the economy I would be surprised if one tenant took the entire space so I am very excited by the possibility of two or even three new retailers taking over that space.  Restaurants seem to gravitate towards Tabor Center - Ling & Louie’s and today’s announcement of the Tilted Kilt - so it is likely that we will see new restaurant/bar/entertainment offerings in the last of the ground floor retail space and on the second floor.  I think it would be great if they could carve out balconies that overlook the Mall just as they do on the third floor where Colorado Athletic Club is going in.  I feel for the employees who lost their jobs and wish them luck in finding new positions.

Over two months in and there is more visible progress of the remodel underway at the Denver Pavilions.  My last update was in April.  The new stairs in both the Welton and Tremont plazas are very far along.  The pre-cast stair treads for Welton Plaza are scheduled to arrive and be installed this week - people will start using that staircase next week.  These photos are in chronological order and were taken between May and last Friday.

Work has just begun on the elevators on the Welton Plaza side.  Currently one elevator is a 3 stop and the other does 5 - after the renovation both elevators will stop at all 5 levels allowing shoppers must faster access to the whole center.  Demolition of the Welton Plaza main stairway next to the former Virgin Megastore is scheduled to begin later this month where a new escalator will go in.  Plans for the new mid-block crosswalk on Glenarm are being reviewed and finalized as well.

Ink! Coffee at the Sage Building on the 16th St. Mall opened today.  I first posted about it at the end of April.  I am pleased to see another one of the retail spots for the building open and generating activity for that part of the Mall.

I also think it is great that Ink! is offering more than coffee at this location.  They also feature breakfast melts, gourmet sandwiches and fresh salads.  All of their coffee is roasted outside of Aspen and delivered fresh daily to their 8 locations - 4 of which are in Downtown Denver.  There was a story in the Denver Post today in which Elizabeth Aguilera reveals that Ink’s owner, Keith Herbert, started out as a small coffee push cart in Aspen.  I plan on checking it out later this week.

Last Sunday we attended La Piazza Dell’Arte in Larimer Square.  We had brunch at Rioja and walked around checking out the artists and their work.  Brunch was good, I had their benedict and their Rioja Mary’s still come with the pickled green bean garnish.  Just like last year this event was well attended and all of the work we saw was impressive.

This year my favorite pieces were the classical Italian ones but there was an amazing amount of variety of subjects and styles.  Before brunch the weather was great but afterwards it started sprinkling and then by the time we left it was pouring.  Weather aside (our journey home was quite the adventure with the hail) we had a great time.  The last photo was taken at the loft - I still cannot believe how quickly this weather rolled in.

Tony’s Market at 950 Broadway in the Golden Triangle opened their doors over Memorial Day weekend.  We checked it out last Tuesday night to grab something for dinner.  I first posted about Tony’s last July and again in April.  Usually I would not say anything about parking because I do not think of it being an issue living in Downtown Denver - you just adapt.  In the case of Tony’s I will have to admit that having the parking lot right next door was very welcome during rush hour on Broadway - they have 90 spaces in a two level ramped parking lot.  This will make stopping by on the way home very convenient.

From the moment we stepped in I was thrilled; the space felt warm, inviting and cozy.  Even though they just opened it felt like they had been there for years.  Everything I saw looked fresh and delicious from the bakery cases to produce to their fresh cuts of meat and the seafood selections.  They have an entire quiche section and have many prepared meal options which you can just grab and bake at home.  Additionally they have fresh flowers and pre-made floral arrangements available as well.

All of the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and there were many items put out for sampling.  We decided on rib eye steaks, twice baked potatoes, French cut carrots and red velvet cupcakes for dessert - everything was delicious.  Adjacent to the main market area there is a sit down bistro where you can order entrees and enjoy wine by the glass.  This is such a great much needed amenity for this part of Downtown - I highly recommend checking it out.

Last week I got to take my first tour of the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences currently under construction at 14th & Arapahoe.  Having attended the groundbreaking in September 2007  it was really fun getting to check out the progress made so far.  We started in the lobby of the hotel from the Porte-cochere and got to see where the check in desk, grand stairway, lobby, restaurant & bar will be.  From there we took the construction elevator up to the 28th floor.

When complete the tower will reach 45 floors - 1-17 are the Four Seasons Hotel and from 18-45 are the private residences.  Framing is already underway and we got to see a couple of the units and what eventually will be their amazing private terraces.  The views were stunning; from the CBD all the way out to the mountains.  From there we began our descent down via the stairs and toured units on the 25 & 18th floor.  Our next stop was on the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in the future presidential suite.  The ceilings were much higher and the windows in the suite were very dramatic.

After that we went down to the 6th floor where the hotel rooms were further along and got to see some of the finishes that will be used.  We concluded by touring the spa, pool deck and ballroom areas for the hotel on levels 2 & 3.  Both the hotel and residential floors will all open at the same time with the planned completion date of July 2010.  The tower will top and out and its exterior will be complete by this August.  Driving in from Park Avenue last night it was amazing to see how this project has already changed the skyline of Downtown Denver and its not even done yet!