MEQ & AECOM Capital Release New Renderings of the Transformative RiNo Development
SANTA MONICA, CA (January 22, 2019) – Mass Equities, Inc. (MEQ), a private equity real estate investment firm based in Santa Monica, CA, and AECOM Capital, the investment arm of AECOM, announced today that “VARIO” is the new name of the partnership’s premier development project on a 7.8-acre site on Brighton Boulevard in Denver’s River North Art District (RiNo). The partnership also unveiled new renderings of VARIO, showcasing its dramatic transformation from an industrial property into an innovative, mixed-use environment. Once complete, VARIO will be the largest project of its kind in the region.
“VARIO evokes the eclectic cool spirit of the development’s distinct personality and conveys its attitude, while embracing the diversity of the neighborhood and standing out from the familiar pattern of typical mixed-use projects,” said Brian Bair, MEQ principal and senior VP, Acquisitions & Development for Colorado.
VARIO embodies RiNo’s dynamic past, which was first populated by pioneering artists who lived in the then-neglected lofts of the neighborhood. Together, they founded an Art District that is original, inspiring, artistic and gritty, and has become much more.
“Today, RiNo is Denver’s magnet for innovative entrepreneurs, businesses and young, creative residents. The new RiNo atmosphere, which seems at once both casual and refined, is the soul of VARIO,” said AECOM Capital Managing Director Ted Fentin, commenting on the authentic and urban nature of the vibrant RiNo community.
The initial plan for VARIO will set the standard for mixed-use development, as well as adaptive re-use, and envisions approximately 459 apartment units, an additional 92,000 square feet of creative office space, and 30,000 square feet of retail space, in addition to parking. In addition to the new build, the initial phase of the project is the re-imaging and expansion of the existing 62,000-square-foot building at 3060 Brighton Boulevard into a state-of-the-art creative office building, taking advantage of the soaring and dramatic ceiling heights.
About Mass Equities
Mass Equities (MEQ) is a fast-growing, private equity real estate investment firm that creates value across a broad spectrum of diverse real estate asset classes and markets in the Western U.S. MEQ’s projects include ground-up development, existing building repositions, and comprehensive operational and leasing. The MEQ philosophy, driven by true investment diversification, leverages multiple categories including mixed-use, creative office, retail, and multifamily. MEQ principals’ 100+ years of combined real estate investment experience in both private and public companies have led to success through many real estate cycles in key Western markets.
About AECOM Capital
AECOM Capital is an investor and developer of real estate and other large-scale projects across North America and select international markets. Targeting high-quality, risk-adjusted investments, AECOM Capital leverages AECOM’s vast resources across all engineering, design and construction services for deal flow, due diligence, execution and project delivery. AECOM Capital has a total development value of over $4.5 billion across approximately 11 million square feet. As part of AECOM, a fully integrated global infrastructure firm, we connect knowledge and experience across a global network of experts to help clients solve their most complex challenges. A Fortune 500 firm, AECOM had revenue of approximately $20.2 billion during fiscal year 2018. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at www.aecomcapital.com.
AECOM Media Contact:
Jason Marshall
Senior Director, Global Communications
646-432-8474
Mass Equities Media Contact:
Nadene Gallagher
310-991-0230
ngallagher@lautergallagher.com