Gates is owned by Tomkins PLC, based in London. Hickenlooper told a crowd of real estate and business leaders that Tomkins has a number of employees, including many of its lawyers, headquartered in Denver. Gates also gave a check to the city for $10,000 for a homeless shelter.
Multi-Employer Property Trust, Kennedy Associates, hosted the grand opening party with Legacy Partners, the building's team of developers and managers who collaborated on the 10-story, spec building.
Construction on Legacy Plaza began in 2001 in the midst of a weakened economy and a challenged commercial real estate market. Over the past two years, the building's partners finished construction 45 days ahead of schedule and $2 million under budget. The building won an award at the 2003 Rocky Mountain Commercial Real Estate Expo.
Echoing the bend of Wewatta Street, the building's eight-story curved glass curtain wall rests on top of a series of two-story columns that form a pedestrian colonnade. The interior lobby features stainless steel, bird's-eye maple paneling and granite finishes.
Legacy Plaza is a key component in Central Platte Valley District's development plan. Just a decade ago, the area was known primarily for its crumbling buildings, rows of train tracks, and abandoned boxcars. Now, the district is a vital area of growth and revenue for the city, featuring other commercial development, retail shops, restaurants and multi-modal transportation including light rail.
The Gates Corp., which employs 650 people locally in Denver, and 13,000 globally, has operated in Denver since 1911. Its world headquarters was previously at 999 South Broadway.
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