Blog > One River North, MAD Architects Breaks Ground in RiNo Art District

One River North, MAD Architects Breaks Ground in RiNo Art District

by Art of Home

You may have been wondering what the future holds for the massive plot of land at 40th and Blake Street on the north-east end of the RiNo Arts District. Wonder no more: MAD Architects of LA and Beijing have broken ground on their plans for 3930 Blake St, and it’s sure to become a point of interest for many Denverites, art lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and photographers alike.

The new residential development will be called One River North, and is modeled after Colorado’s natural beauty, featuring hikable walking paths, hanging gardens, trees, pools, and a giant crevice running down the north-west facade of the building. With 16 stories, 187 residential units, and views of the Rockies, this architectural work of art is intended to connect city residents with the natural world around them. One River North will also include 7,995 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Residents will enjoy a rooftop pool, garden areas, and a giant water structure within the 216-foot tall tower. “If we regard modern cities as man-made landscape on the earth, we need to design canyons, woods, creeks, and waterfalls, transforming concrete forests into second nature,” remarks Ma Yansong, MAD founder and principal partner.

“One River North is the model for how we should be living, surrounding ourselves in the natural environment, bringing nature into our homes and creating authentic, biophilic experiences coupled with modern comforts and conveniences,” explains Kevin Ratner, co-founder of one of One River North’s developers, The Max Collaborative. “The nature-inspired design by MAD Architects was influenced by Colorado’s legendary landforms and merges nature and architecture to inspire a well-balanced life. Its glass façade is likewise ribbed with louvers that regulate sunlight and soften its visual presence, shaping a serene retreat in the sky.”

With this ideology, it is easy to see how MAD Architects could find inspiration in Denver, and unveil an authentic and natural design such as One River North. This will be MAD’s third project to break ground in the US, following the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Los Angeles, under construction), and Gardenhouse (Los Angeles, opened in 2020). One River North is projected to be fully constructed and operational by the end of 2023.

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