Recreational Equipment, Inc. Denver Flagship
(REI Denver Flagship)

Photo credit: Robert Pisano

Overview

• Location: Denver, CO
• Building type(s): Retail, Restaurant
• Renovation of a historic 1901 building, last renovated in 1910
• 89,500 ft2 (8,320 m2)
• Project scope: a single building
• Urban setting
• Completed April 2000

With 1.7 million active members, REI is the nation's largest consumer cooperative. REI's Denver Flagship, used as a retail store as well as a restaurant and assembly space, is housed in the historic 1901 Denver Tramway Powerhouse Building. The building is listed in the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Register of Historic Places.

In line with REI's adventurous history, the Denver Flagship houses a mountain bike trail, climbing pinnacle, and a cold chamber for testing and comparing recreational gear.

Environmental Aspects

The reuse of a historic building enabled REI to save materials as well as significant energy involved in demolition and new construction. The building was designed to use 30% less energy than Colorado building energy codes mandate.

Owner & Occupancy

• Owned and occupied by Recreational Equipment, Inc., Individual(s)

Building Programs

Keywords

Transportation benefits, Indigenous vegetation, Stormwater management, Salvaged materials, C&D waste management, Connection to outdoors

next topic: Process

Our thanks to the ENERGY STAR program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and to the U.S. Department of Energy, and to BuildingGreen, Inc. for hosting the submission and judging forms.

For more information about the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects, contact AIA/COTE. For help on how to use this Web site, contact .