Fulenwider Breaks Ground on Spec Office Building

Office construction, with the exception of a few built-to-suits, has virtually come to a stop in the metro area, so this is an unusual situation. "I don't know many people taking out building permits on spec offices," Fulenwider tells GlobeSt.com."But we're moving forward."

The new building, named the High Plains Office Building and located at 18000 71st Ave. in the city, is designed as a multi-tenant building for tenants from 1,500 sf to 28,000 sf. The building is near Tower Road and Pena Boulevard at the "front door to DIA" and joins other DIBC tenants including Marriott Courtyard, Marriott Fairfield Inn, Embassy Suites, Frontier Airlines Corporate Headquarters and a Bennigans.

"It's the most popular Bennigans in a three-state region," Fulenwider tells GlobeSt.com. "Go there most nights and it's a 45-minute wait."

Fulenwider, who heads the firm that next year will celebrate its 100th birthday, says recent activity in the DIA real estate market is a catalyst for the move. "DIA is a remarkable economic engine" says Fulenwider. "For several months we have had inquiries from potential tenants who were looking to occupy space immediately, but we couldn't accommodate them. [This] is the first step in meeting this demand."

Fulenwider also credited confidence in the new administration of Mayor John Hickenlooper. "Clearly we are very excited about our new mayor, his team, and the energy and focus they have already brought to getting Denver's economy moving," Fulenwider says. "The mayor has already demonstrated his willingness to role up his sleeves and help recruit good companies to Colorado."

Fulenwider tells GlobeSt.com that he was impressed that Hickenlooper, after he was only in office for about 30 days, attended an economic development trip to California with Gov. Bill Ownes.

"The DIA area is one of our communities' great opportunities for economic development" says Hickenlooper "I applaud Cal Fulenwider for his vision and commitment to making this area a great success."

Grubb & Ellis will be the leasing agent for the High Plains Building. Skanska USA Building Inc. is the general contractor and MOA Architectural Partnership is the architect.