Populus Hotel makes its downtown Denver debut
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The finished exterior of the Populus Hotel near city hall in downtown Denver. Photo: Alayna Alvarez/Axios
The aspen tree-inspired Populus Hotel has opened its doors to the public in downtown Denver, unveiling a striking new addition to the city's skyline.
Why it matters: The one-of-a-kind building stands as the nation's first carbon-positive hotel and sets a new standard in sustainable hospitality, according to developers.
The latest: A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday marked the hotel's Oct. 15 debut.
- Guests can now visit the hotel's dining and drink spots, including the first-floor restaurant Pasque, the Little Owl coffee bar, and Stellar Jay — a rooftop bar and restaurant.
By the numbers: The 13-story hotel has 265 rooms, cost more than $100 million to build and was eight years in the making, developers say.
- The hotel has pledged to plant a tree in local forests for every night's stay to further offset its carbon footprint, reaching up to 20,000 new trees by the end of this year.
- Populus employs 150 people and received 3,000 applications, according to hotel general manager George Prine.
The intrigue: Populus has eliminated on-site parking to further reduce its carbon footprint.
What they're saying: The goal was to bring nature back to the heart of cities, Grant McCargo, CEO of real estate development firm Urban Villages, said at the ribbon-cutting.
- This will be one of the "lasting legacies" of the city, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston added.
The big picture: Hotel backers hope Populus will serve as a model for future developments aiming to prioritize the planet. With its bold design and eco-friendly mission, it aims to set the trend for hospitality projects across the country.
Our score: 10/10. We can't find any significant differences between the rendering and the real project.
