Revitalizing an urban landmark with resilient design, enhanced accessibility, and a diverse, acclimated tree canopy

16th Street Redevelopment

16th Street, previously known as the 16th Street Mall, has been one of Denver’s most iconic public spaces since 1982. The mile (1.6 kilometre) long pedestrian and transit corridor anchors downtown as a transportation hub and the cultural destination. Decades of heavy use, growing safety concerns, aging infrastructure, and declining tree health created an urgent need for a redesign to restore the vibrancy of 16th Street as the heart of downtown Denver.

Delivering on that vision required serious commitment from the City and County of Denver, the community, and the design team. Working closely with project partners, we developed a regenerative urban design that prioritized climate resilience, public space, and green infrastructure. Our team provided public realm, landscape architecture, and technical expertise throughout the project, with a focus on improving accessibility, strengthening the urban tree canopy, and creating a more welcoming environment for all users.

The new design introduces a curbless, fully accessible street with seamless paving throughout the corridor, while preserving the iconic diamondback pattern that defines 16th Street’s historic identity. To support long-term tree health, the design incorporates a suspended pavement system that provides over 1,000 cubic feet (28 cubic metres) of uncompacted soil per tree and includes 230 new trees across 10 species. This aligns with Denver Forestry’s goals for species diversification and resilient urban canopy. We also led the procurement of large-caliper trees in collaboration with Denver City Forestry and Environmental Design Inc. These trees were locally grown and nurtured for four years to acclimate them to Denver’s climate prior to installation.

The renewed 16th Street offers significant environmental and social benefits, expanding shade, reducing heat, improving air quality, and creating a vibrant, inclusive gathering space for residents, workers, and visitors.