Depot Square at Boulder Junction

Challenge

Boulder Junction, formerly known as Transit Village, is a 160-acre redevelopment on Boulder, Colorado’s east side, targeted at boosting transportation efficiency and strengthening connectivity. More than a decade ago, the City of Boulder and the Regional Transportation District (RTD) acquired the land and collaborated on comprehensive plans to create a pedestrian-friendly community. Initially, the development was envisioned as a rail-oriented area. However, the plan shifted throughout the initial discussions. It evolved into a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) hub that better connects regional and local transportation, including 60 miles of bike trails near the project vicinity. 

The redevelopment transformed an underused area into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood featuring market-rate and affordable housing, commercial spaces, and community spaces. However, the project encountered several challenges leading up to completion. Reworking the initial rail-oriented vision into a BRT-centered development required extensive planning and coordination between the city and RTD. Balancing the need for affordable housing, commercial spaces, and sustainability goals also presented difficulties, as the City sought to create a walkable, transit-focused community while meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders.

Solution

The City partnered with SEH architects and a development team to address the complex challenges of Boulder Junction's redevelopment. Together, they crafted innovative solutions to transform the area into a thriving, transit-oriented community. The team concentrated on key aspects, including transportation infrastructure, sustainable urban design, and mixed-use development. Each of these elements was carefully aligned with the City's goals. This approach ensured the project advanced connectivity, livability, and economic vitality. The following sections break down the major components of this ambitious project, highlighting how each contributed to Boulder Junction's success.

Bus Rapid Transit Hub

The BRT hub serves as the heart of the project, designed to enhance regional and local transportation connectivity. This crucial component provides efficient and reliable bus service, offering a new six-gate terminal, connecting residents and visitors to various destinations across Boulder. Accessibility was a high priority during the design, resulting in features such as real-time arrival information, sheltered waiting areas, and safe crossings that improve the overall user experience.

In addition to improving accessibility, the BRT hub aligns with Boulder’s sustainability goals by reducing reliance on personal vehicles, lowering traffic congestion, and minimizing carbon emissions while fostering public transportation use. The development of the BRT hub involved close collaboration between the City of Boulder and the Regional Transportation District (RTD), ensuring that the transportation infrastructure meets community needs and aligns with broader regional transit plans. Overall, the BRT hub is a pivotal element in transforming Boulder Junction into a dynamic, transit-oriented community that promotes sustainable living and enhances connectivity for its residents.

Hyatt Hotel Development

The hotel portion featured SEH as the project architect and features a five-story Hyatt Place hotel hosting a range of amenities to serve both guests and the community. The first level includes a welcoming lobby, conference rooms, a kitchen, a swimming pool/spa, and a lounge/bar, along with associated support spaces. Additional conference spaces are featured on the second floor, accompanied by guest rooms that house the remainder of the level along with the entire third, fourth, and fifth levels.

Positioned next to the newly designed transit center, the 150-room hotel plays a pivotal role in connecting visitors and residents to the broader transit village. SEH’s architectural services encompassed programming, planning, and quality assurance, ensuring that the hotel's urban design not only aligns with Hyatt’s brand standards but also addresses the demand for expanded meeting spaces. This strategic location and thoughtful design enhance the hotel’s functionality as a key element of the overall Boulder Junction redevelopment, fostering a lively, connected community.

Affordable Housing Additions

The affordable housing section of the Boulder Junction project includes 71 units, driven by the goal of creating a mixed-use development. These units provide varied residential options to meet the growing demand for affordable housing, aligning with Boulder’s objective to increase housing density in a transit-friendly environment. Strategically integrated within the overall development, the affordable housing options ensure residents have easy access to amenities, services, and transportation, enhancing the area’s livability. By incorporating sustainable design features and collaborating with local agencies, this section of the project supports economic diversity and contributes to the overall vision of Boulder Junction as a trendy and inclusive area of town.

Integrating Green and Gathering Spaces

The public plaza and pocket park are key elements of the Boulder Junction redevelopment, enhancing its pedestrian-friendly character and fostering community engagement. The public plaza serves as a multifaceted gathering space featuring the fully restored 125-year-old train depot, which has been repurposed as a restaurant. This design choice blends modern architecture with historical elements, promoting communal activities while preserving the area’s heritage.

Adjacent to the plaza, the pocket park, designed by the City of Boulder, offers a tranquil retreat for residents and visitors alike. Connected to the plaza via Junction Place - a quiet street that enhances pedestrian connectivity - the pocket park encourages outdoor activities and provides valuable green space within the urban environment.

To support this high-density development, a five-level, 400-car parking structure was constructed, accommodating both hotel guests and the public. Strategically connected to the below-grade Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station, the parking facility improves accessibility and ensures a smooth flow of transit and vehicles, supporting Boulder Junction’s vision of a connected community.

Sustainability and Certifications

This project stands as a transformative initiative that integrates a variety of elements to enhance the community. Designed as a LEED Neighborhood Development project, Boulder Junction exemplifies sustainable urban planning, with its residential component achieving LEED for Homes Multi-family Mid-rise Silver Certification. This approach not only prioritizes energy efficiency but also sets a benchmark for integrating sustainability into urban living environments. Key features include the careful selection of recycled building materials, the promotion of public transportation and biking, and the creation of strong neighborhood connections. These efforts result in a development projected to be about 30% more energy-efficient than typical projects of its kind.

Ultimately, the Boulder Junction project represents a multifaceted approach to urban living, integrating key elements such as transportation, hospitality, affordable housing, and green spaces. This redevelopment serves as a model for future projects in sustainable urban design, showcasing innovative approaches to integrating housing, transportation, and public spaces.