Program: Originally constructed in 1968 as an urban hotel, this 17-story, 153,000 gsf building underwent radical renovation in 1983 and was transformed into an office building for use by various agencies and departments of the City and County of Denver. The variety of users currently includes administrative offices, court and police offices, and a deli on the ground floor.

With the construction of a new City office building, Minoru Yasui Plaza will play a major role in the reorganization of many agencies and departments relocating to the new building. This massive relocation will provide new space and new opportunities to strengthen and to refine departmental relationships within the renovated building.

The Abo Group was contracted to provide the Space Study and Final Program Plan for the renovation. The firm began work on the project with a review of existing programming information and a series of studies of alternative scenarios for redevelopment of the building. The Study resulted in three alternative Scenarios. The selected Scenario 3 called for a complete renovation so that all hazardous materials could be removed, new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life-safety systems would be installed and new interior improvements could be made without unnecessary complications and compromises resulting from the reuse of existing interior components.