A landscaped canyon runs through this luxury apartment development in Denver

Set to open in April, One River North is a 16-story, 187-unit luxury apartment building with private, open-air terraces located in Denver’s RiNo arts district. Biophilic design plays a central role throughout the building, allowing residents to connect with nature and providing a distinctive living experience.

The design by MAD Architects and the Davis Partnership cracks open the building’s glass façade, forming a landscaped canyon that runs through the structure. The design offers residents a sense of journey, with each level representing a different biome. It also creates seamless transitions between the outdoor seating, fitness areas, and community room. The plants have been selected with consideration for Colorado’s climate and seasons.

One River North aims to increase city greenery and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while surpassing local sustainability codes. “RiNo … is known for being a concrete jungle. This building addresses that head on,” the developer, the Max Collaborative, says in a statement.

For the high-performance envelope, the team used hygrothermal analysis to design solutions that manage moisture, heat, and airflow, reducing environmental risk and extending the building’s lifespan.

For interior and exterior acoustical comfort, the luxury apartment development features enhanced air sealing, insulation, and soundproofing measures. Operable windows for thermal control and blackout shades in the bedrooms reduce solar heat gain.

The project has received two of three stars from Fitwel, a certification for health and wellbeing. The certification criteria include air and water quality and access to nature, among other amenities.

One River North is the first project delivered by the Max Collective, which says it aims to develop inspiring, functional, and timeless spaces that uplift communities. With managing partners Luke Palmisano, Jon Ratner, and Kevin Ratner, the Max has additional projects in Denver and Los Angeles and a transit-oriented development in Ohio, where the firm is based.

On the Building Team:
Developer: The Max Collaborative
Design architect: MAD Architects
Executive architect: Davis Partnership
MEP engineer: ME Engineers
Structural engineer: Jirsa Hedrick
General contractor: Saunders Construction