December 19th

:::FotoCap 1: View looking north on Clay Street.








:::FotoCap 2: View from the corner of River and Clay Streets.








:::FotoCap 3: View of the scaffolding at the northeast corner from River Street.










:::FotoCap 4: View of the east facade from River Street.






Observations:::
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND EARLY HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone! As the temperatures continue to stay cold in Denver, much of the building is now wrapped in plastic to allow workers to have some heat indoors while they continue working in the units. Most of the exterior windows and doors have been installed. Work continues on the roof. All of the brick ledger angles can be seen on the exterior pilasters. Most of the metal deck railings are now in. Scaffolding for brick laying is present on the south, west, and north facades.

See everyone in 2008!

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

December 12th

SNOW DAY. No report.

December 5th

:::FotoCap 1: View looking north on Clay Street.








:::FotoCap 2: View of storefront windows at the 1st Floor retail spaces.







:::FotoCap 3: View of the brickwork at the 1st and 2nd Floor.








:::FotoCap 4: View from the corner of Jefferson Park looking southeast.





Observations:::
Back by popular request, yes, it's been a few weeks since my last posting. I'm glad to report that the building continues to progress, although the impending weather in Denver threatens to slow construction down a bit. Winter is here and I think we have been lucky to have such great weather as we have had recently. Fortunately, most of the exterior windows and doors have been installed up to the 6th Floor and the building is completely wrapped with exterior sheathing. This will allow work to continue inside once the cold temperatures and snow starts to hit. Work continues on the roof. They should be wrapping that up in the next week or two. The storefront windows have been installed at the 1st Floor retail. Brickwork continues around the building's north and west exposures. The north side is completely scaffolded up to the 6th Floor. Most of the metal deck railings are now in place. Hopefully, all of my future neighbors have got your finish packages selected and have been by Zocalo to sign your contract amendments.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

November 14th

:::FotoCap 1: View from Zocalo Lofts. Note the empty lot on the far right that has been zoned for new townhomes.







:::FotoCap 2: View of brickwork and windows on the west facade.







:::FotoCap 3: Close-up view of the brickwork and windows going in on the 1st Floor.







:::FotoCap 4: Progress on the roof level. Platforms being built for the air conditioning units. There will be a base layer of 7" roof insulation and then tapered insulation on top of that.






:::FotoCap 5: The best view of Downtown from the roof.








:::FotoCap 6: The best view of the Front Range around town.






Observations:::
As the building construction continues, it may be difficult to gage the progress from week-to-week, but let me assure you that the project is definitely getting closer to completion. Brick laying has been going on around the building for the past couple of weeks. Windows are being installed at the 1st Floor parking level. Window installation for the residential units is up to the 6th Floor. The stairs have been installed but not completed up to the 6th Floor. The east and west deck framing is mostly complete and the pilaster wood framing continues. Inside, work continues on the electrical and plumbing systems. The roof platform is complete and they are building the pads for the air conditioning units down the middle of the roof area. On either side will be the photovoltaic panels. The roof drains are in and roof insulation is being installed. The base layer will be a minimum of 7" insulation board and additional tapered insulation on top of that to achieve proper drainage. And did I mention that the views from the rooftop are amazing? Unfortunately, the roof will be restricted to maintenance access only.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

October 24th

:::FotoCap 1: View from Jefferson Park.








:::FotoCap 2: View of the south facade from Clay Street.











:::FotoCap 3: Close-up view of the west decks and pilaster framing.







:::FotoCap 4: View from the northwest turret looking at Jefferson Park.








Observations:::
Another drive-by this week, although I ran into the Project Superintendent during my visit. Mostly the same observations as last week. More framing continues at the Roof Level. It sounds like they are still two weeks away from finishing the roof. The 4th Level steel framing is started at the east and west exterior decks and railing. Wood framing has started at the deck pilasters. Vapor barrier has started to go up at the south end.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

October 17th

:::FotoCap 1: View from Jefferson Park.








:::FotoCap 2: View of the northwest turret.








:::FotoCap 3: View from Clay Street looking north








:::FotoCap 4: Close-up view of the west decks.






Observations:::
Just a drive-by this week, but those of you who have driven northbound on I-25 recently have probably noticed that RiverClay has a very prominent location on top of the hill. Framing continues at the Roof Level. Steel framing continues at the east and west exterior decks and railing. The deck partitions have also started to be framed. Windows continue to be placed around the 2nd and 3rd Levels. Interior plumbing continues throughout the building.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

October 10th

:::FotoCap 1: View from the corner of River and Clay Streets.









:::FotoCap 2: View of the northwest turret.










:::FotoCap 3: View from Clay Street looking at the 3rd and 4th Floor decks.







:::FotoCap 4: View looking at the south side.






Observations:::
First things first,... GO ROCKIES!!
This week, I report as the building is about 1/2 topped out at the Roof Level. The 6th Floor is about 1/2 exterior sheathed and 1/2 wood framed. The CMU stair towers at the north and south sides are close to topping out too. Steel framing and railing is being erected for the 3rd and 4th Floor decks on the east and west sides. Exterior windows are being installed around the 3rd Floor. More brick continues to be laid along the west side of the 1st Floor. A HUGE RiverClay.com sign has been displayed along the south side.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

October 3rd

:::FotoCap 1: View from the 6th Floor looking east at Downtown Denver.







:::FotoCap 2: View from the 6th Floor looking south at Invesco Field at Mile High.







:::FotoCap 3: View from the 6th Floor looking southwest at the Front Range.







:::FotoCap 4: View looking at the brick on the west side of the 1st Floor.







:::FotoCap 5: View of the deck railing on the east side of the 4th Floor.








Observations:::
This week, I report from a construction site walk with Chris Achenbach. Wood framing has begun on the 6th and last floor of RiverClay. The views from the top are spectacular! They have started framing two of the units on the north side while four units to the south still need flooring. The south CMU stair tower is also topping out at the 6th Floor. Metal pan stairs are installed up to the 3rd Floor. Above that, access is by step ladder going up the future trash chute. Exterior sheathing is complete up to the 5th Floor. Inside the building, interior wood stud framing is complete up to the 5th Floor. They are finishing up the metal stud framing on the 1st and 2nd Floors. They are installing the interior plumbing and junction boxes starting at the 3rd Floor. The 1st Floor has brick on the west side. Deck railing has started to be installed on the east side. Windows have started arriving on site and are being stored in the garage areas.

Flai Notes:::
While I tried to take some photos of individual units by request, the lighting and wall layout did not allow for any good results worth posting. I'll try taking more in a couple weeks. Another item of note is that they are using flexible plastic tubing for most of the interior plumbing--the exact name of the item escapes me. This will help with the acoustics and any pipe knocking in the building.

:::Sorry, No Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN this week.

September 26th

:::FotoCap 1: View from Clay Street looking northeast.








:::FotoCap 2: View from the corner of River and Clay Streets.






Observations:::
Just another drive-by report this week as I was unable to schedule a site walk. I am confirmed for next week though so stay tuned for that. The 5th Floor framing is about halfway done. The steel columns for the 3rd and 4th Floor decks have been erected. Interior metal stud framing on the 2nd Floor looks complete throughout. Brick is starting to go up along the 1st Floor west facade.

Flai Notes:::
1. RiverClay is still finalizing the solar panel option for individual units. The update is 1.26 kw solar cells available and numbering 26 total.
2. RiverClay is working with Saddleback Design to provide a cork option at the entry for those interested units. Tile is no longer a viable option at the entryway due to acoustic concerns between floors.
3. RiverClay is striving to achieve LEED Silver rating [Certified-->Silver-->Gold-->Platinum]. Indications are that building energy usage should be about 30% less than other comparable buildings.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

September 19th

:::FotoCap 1: View from River Street looking west.








:::FotoCap 2: View from the corner of River and Clay Streets.






Observations:::
Just did a quick drive-by report this week. The 4th Floor framing is complete and the exterior sheathing is about halfway done. They are laying down the 5th Floor subflooring. Interior metal stud framing continues on the 2nd Floor. Concrete block also continues to form the stair towers at both ends of the building. The exterior decks have not been built out above the top of concrete levels on east or west side.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

September 12th

:::FotoCap 1: View from the corner of River and Clay Street.








:::FotoCap 2: View looking east from Jefferson Park.








:::FotoCap 3: View looking north from Clay Street.






Observations:::
Thanks to Ian Roth in Unit 304 who filled in admirably in my absence. Stopping by the project site this week, they are well under way on the 4th Floor framing, probably about halfway done, again starting in the north end and working their way south. Consequently, the 3rd Floor framing and exterior sheathing looks complete all around. The 1st Floor CMU block infill looks pretty complete too. They are starting to build in the non-bearing metal stud framing on the 2nd Floor units. The two parking decks have the interior lighting installed.

Flai Notes:::
Hello to Jeff Dotur and his wife Pat Alexander, who will be coming back to Denver from Seattle and moving into Unit 300. I'll try to get some photos of your unit the next time I go on my walk-through.

Yosemite National Park was awesome. I recommend the 17-mile day hike up to Half Dome for anyone who has some endurance and a strong stomach.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

September 8th

A couple of fuzzy cell-phone pics to tide you over till Frederico returns... apologies if I completely break his posting format.

Most of the third floor exterior framing and sheathing is complete, at least as seen from Clay St. Framing of the fourth floor exterior has begun. Some work was occurring during my visit, which was a sunny Saturday afternoon.

RiverClay and Zocalo Development on TV

In Fred's absence this week I thought I'd post a bit of PR for Zocalo Development. RiverClay and Zocalo's other current project, 2020 Lawrence, were the featured on Fox 31 News' eTeam environmental report the other day. It's a great piece that really promotes what Zocalo is doing with respect to energy-efficient design. Check out the video here:

MyFox Colorado | eTeam- Green Builders

August 29th

:::FotoCap 1: View looking at the Third Floor west facade








:::FotoCap 2: View from River Street looking west








:::FotoCap 3: View from the corner of Clay and 23rd.








:::FotoCap 4: View looking east along south facade at Downtown Denver




Observations:::
This week's progress has the Third Floor units framed and exterior sheathing started. The TJI joists are being placed at two of the middle units. The ground floor has concrete masonry block infill being laid along the west facade.

Flai Notes:::
I'm off to Yosemite National Park. Avoiding any bear attacks, look for the next posting in two weeks.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN

August 22nd

:::FotoCap 1: View from the Third Floor looking southwest across Jefferson Park at Zocalo Lofts.







:::FotoCap 2: View from the Third Floor looking north at the wood stud wall framing (Unit 306?)








:::FotoCap 3: View from the Third Floor looking northwest at the corner of Clay and 23rd.







:::FotoCap 4: View from the Third Floor looking east at 301 (my unit) and beautiful Downtown Denver.




Intro:::
It was great meeting all of the future neighbors at the Saddleback Design interior finish kickoff earlier this week. As it turns out, I managed to coordinate a last minute construction tour today with Chris Achenbach, the RiverClay architect.

Observations:::
This week's progress is the start of the wood stud wall framing on the Third Floor units. The majority of the framing is tilt-up panels of 2x6's with the demising walls between units consisting of (2) walls of 2x4's, not touching, with (1) layer of gyp on both sides and filled with batt insulation. The ceiling will be constructed of wood TJI framing with resilient channels and (2) layers of gyp. board. The two north corner units, 300 and 301, have been slowed mainly because they are laying the concrete masonry block for the stair and elevator towers and using those areas for staging the materials. Most of the framing is taking place in the middle units, 302 thru 306. The parking lights are in place at the Lower Level parking and they are pouring the raised slabs for the storage units. The north metal pan stair is installed between the two parking levels only. Currently the only access to the Third Floor is up a single extension ladder--not for the faint of heart.

:::Sorry, No Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN this week.

August 15th

:::FotoCap: [Bonus foto from 8.1.07] View from the third floor looking northwest. Note the level of the power lines to the west.

Not much activity to report this week as the on-site construction walk did not get coordinated. From the street, it looks like the third floor slab has been prepped but the concrete pour has not occurred yet.

:::Weekly Slice of RiverClay PAN