Riverfront, mixed-use project in Downtown Durango underway at 1111 Camino

”
DURANGO, Colo. – Though its name is literally translated as “river town,” Durango, Colorado, has, throughout its history, essentially turned its back on that natural asset, the Animas River.
The Animas River corridor in the Downtown area developed first as a shanty town for the foreign workers who built the railroad, and later was occupied by the “girls” who made their living off the miners. As the town grew, so did industrial uses, and a sawmill, power plant and more found homes along the river. To this day, the corridor that is Camino del Rio is one of the least attractive routes through Downtown Durango. But that is about to change with the launch of 1111 Camino.
 

“This project is the first in the transition from a corridor that has had backs of buildings and parking areas along the river, to some vibrancy,” said Mynders Glover, who, with partner Dan Baker is developing 1111 Camino. “We’re taking the step to reincorporate the beautiful Animas River with the town.”
Glover and Baker received final approval for their project from the City of Durango in December 2007, allowing them to move ahead with what will be the first new construction along the corridor in decades. Demolition of the tired, old office building and former climbing gym will begin this spring, with new construction planned for summer 2008. Occupancy is expected in fall 2009.
Located across from Town Plaza within steps of the Historic Downtown and Main Ave., the project will include 37 upscale condominiums – 25 on the river and 12 along Camino del Rio – plus specialty retail, a café and an open air plaza.

The residences, designed by Berglund Architects, are configured on the site to maximize river views and privacy. The 25 River condominiums range in size from 1450 to 2250 square feet on one level, plus feature generously sized decks, large enough for outdoor dining. Inside, from the living/dining area, views of the Animas River are unobstructed. The ground level units have direct access to the river, while every two units on the second and third stories share an elevator and private hallway.
The 12 Camino residences, or those with a more “urban” feel on the second and third floors above the retail along Camino del Rio, range from 1050 to 1650 square feet in size. Though the buildings are set back 45 feet from the road, an acoustic engineer is part of the 1111 Camino design team to ensure quality sound insulation unit to unit as well as to the out-of-doors. Parking for all residential units is secured and underground.
“We wanted to develop a mixed-use project that complements Durango’s Downtown,” said Baker, lauded recently with Glover for the award-winning Copperhead Camp residential development in Edgemont Highlands. “The design doesn’t mimic the historic buildings, but enhances them.”
Involved in the development of the Downtown Durango Vision and Strategic Plan, as well as the city’s comprehensive plan for the area, Baker and Glover were familiar with the sentiment of the populace and have designed 1111 Camino to those standards. One key piece will be construction of a missing link of the Animas River Trail. Residents of 1111 Camino will not only have immediate access to the pedestrian and cycling network that stretches the length of the city, but the developers will also build a public trail from Camino del Rio to the river, allowing those using the river trail access to the café and retail services.
 
“We’re excited that we have a project that will not only serve the people who will actually live there, but also the public,” said Glover.
Phil Bryson, owner of Brainstorm Internet as well as developer of the nearby Crossroads Durango, has long been a proponent of revitalizing the area, and he’s watching the progress with interest.
Said Bryson, “1111 Camino is setting the standard for redevelopment of the Animas River corridor in Downtown Durango. We’re pleased we’ll have a great new neighbor.”
As sustainability and the environment are important to the developers, 1111 Camino will be constructed to standards utilizing the Colorado Built Green checklist, even though no Built Green “certification” exists for mixed-use developments.
“We’re going to build to the standards anyway,” said Baker. “It’s the right thing to do.”
“The 1111 Camino project is a well conceived plan developed with energy efficient ‘green’ design as a priority,” assured Keith Walzak, whose Walzak Design Resources is working on the landscaping. “It offers a great opportunity for residents to experience the urban lifestyle of Downtown Durango coupled with the aesthetics of the Animas River.”
 

To market the project, Glover and Baker are taking advantage of the internet. Though a “real” sales office is established on the 2^nd floor of 1129 Main Ave. – within view of the development – a comprehensive web site, including a three-dimensional virtual tour of the development is available at www.1111camino.com. Interested potential residents and investors are invited to sign up on the website to receive regular emails that include plan updates, pricing, and more. According to Glover, initial reservations will begin in February, and he encouraged interested parties to contact him.

“We have not yet priced the condominiums,” said Baker, noting that Okland Construction will serve as general contractor. “We were waiting for the final approval, and now feel we can go out to bid. We will have information on the pricing as early in the new year as possible.
“We have had tremendous interest thus far,” said Glover. “It’s the lure of the river. Even though Durango has always had the Animas flowing through it, no one in Downtown Durango has been able to live with it right out their front door. 1111 Camino is the first opportunity.”