LONE TREE APARTMENTS
Lone Tree, CO
Design Firm | EVStudio
This six‑building mixed‑use development marked my first immersion into Construction Administration and large‑scale permitting—a challenge defined by both its complexity and its pace. Encompassing 540 residential units, delivered in two balanced phases of 270 each, the project became an instructive study in managing the triage‑like demands of Construction Administration while simultaneously channeling lessons learned into the evolving pre‑permit documentation for the subsequent phase. It was a rare opportunity to observe and refine in real time, with each decision informing the architectural continuity of a development still in formation.
This project sits in Lone Tree along the southbound side of I‑25, a major corridor linking Colorado’s largest cities, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Longmont, and Boulder. Positioned on this busy route, it leads a master‑planning effort aimed at an emerging market south of Denver. The area remains semi‑rural today, but major initiatives are underway to develop the 50‑mile stretch between Denver and Colorado Springs. Many expect this corridor to become a highly developed, in‑demand market within ten to twenty years, so the project began early—before land values and construction costs rise.
Modern public transit runs directly along the site’s eastern edge. The site also benefits from nearby big‑box retailers, immediate highway access, major roadways, and large open spaces to the east and south. As development accelerates, surrounding infrastructure will continue to expand. As one of the first buildings in the area, this mixed‑use project will help define Lone Tree’s architectural identity.
I supported the Project Architect during regular OAC meetings and site walks. I documented incorrect installations, material conditions, and finish issues through Site Observation Reports. When we identified faulty architectural details, we corrected them, issued ASIs for Phase 1, and incorporated the revisions into the Phase 2 Construction Documents.
Because EVStudio and the ownership team intended to retain the same general contractor for Phase 2, we approached all reporting with care. We noted issues and non‑conforming work diplomatically. When inaccuracies did not affect weatherproofing, waterproofing, or overall design intent, we allowed them to stand in Phase 1 and applied the corrections proactively in Phase 2.
During Phase 2, I advanced the Construction Documents by developing Life Safety and Accessibility plans for full buildings and individual unit types. I added annotations and detail callouts to the elevations, revised and created details for unique conditions, and coordinated exterior HVAC penetrations to avoid conflicts with operable windows and maintain a clean, uninterrupted elevation.
My contributions to this project were primarily—but not limited to—the following:
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ACCESSIBILITY | Adjusted cabinetry, operable fixtures, and accessible paths/clearances within all Units to satisfy ANSI requirements.
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COMPLIANCE | Ensured architectural assemblies possessed adequate Fire, STC (sound transmission), and Shear-force ratings.
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VERTICALITY | Modified Elevations and Sections to correspond to detailing, grading, and foundational conditions
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DETAILING | Fabricated all architectural details for the project and a firm-wide Standards library.
(Site Statistics - Bike and Vehicle Parking w. Public Transit Reductions)
PLANNING DECISIONS
This 540‑unit development builds directly on the surrounding infrastructure. A high‑speed light‑rail station and parking garage sit at the site’s edge, with Havana Street to the east and I‑25 just beyond. This transit access reduces parking requirements and eliminates the need for a podium structure or costly subterranean excavation.
Freed from heavy parking demands, the project maintains a continuous, human‑scaled streetscape. Commercial storefronts, ground‑level balconies, and native plantings define the edge instead of bulky garage massing. The result is an open, transparent elevation that invites movement rather than blocking it.
Shared amenities—including the co‑working space, leasing center, coffee shop, party room, and outdoor pool—occupy the outer corners of the ground floors. Their placement anchors high‑traffic zones such as street intersections, interior walkways, landscaped edges, and key parking areas. The pool and a raised grassy knoll sit between Building 2’s party room and Building 3’s co‑working space, forming a central social hub at the heart of the development.
A playground and small park sit directly across Esplanade Way from the pool. Together, they form an amenity zone ideal for weekend gatherings, pool events, and children’s birthday parties.
The unit mix targets young professionals. Most residences are one‑bedroom or studio layouts designed for working adults without families. The complex offers the services, amenities, and social opportunities this demographic seeks. Convenient public transit supports residents who commute to downtown Denver.
CLUSTERING
The four Phase 1 buildings—three Type III‑B, five‑story residential structures and one Type I‑A parking garage—are now complete and occupied. Substantial completion occurred in January 2025. I returned in November 2025 to photograph the site once additional tenants had leased and built out the commercial spaces. As of December 2025, only the commercial suite at the lower right of the plan is occupied.
The central garage has two entrances along High Note Ave. The structure rises two stories, with an open‑air upper level and a covered lower level. Its massing follows the site’s grade and the stepping building forms, preventing shadows from blocking unit windows or balconies. Pedestrian paths and dog runs create a comfortable buffer between the residential edges and the garage.
Amenities cluster around the outdoor pool on the eastern edge of Phase 1. The co‑working space and party rooms frame the pool and green plaza, which opens toward the future Phase 2. With Phase 2 not yet under construction, Phase 1 currently serves as the project’s public‑facing showcase.
BUILDING 1
(Building 1 | Photography, Floor Plans & Standard Details)
STREETSCAPE
The eastern elevation of Building 1 rises in a shifting, varied profile along Havana Street. Transparent elements—windows, storefront glazing, balcony railings, and open sunshades—contrast with heavier forms, including deep gray stucco masses, CMU wainscots, MSE retaining walls, and tall beige‑brick columns. Together, they create a serrated, color‑layered façade that runs the full length of Havana street.
Tall ground‑level storefront systems signal the commercial spaces. As the street trees and plantings mature, they will soften the shift from the busy roadway to the quieter residential edge.
BUILDING 2
(Building 2 | Photography, Floor Plans & Standard Details)
SUBDUED
The western elevation of Building 2 carries a steadier rhythm of windows and fewer shifts in massing. This restraint is intentional; it must harmonize with Phase 2’s Building 4 across the street rather than compete with it. As a primarily residential frontage, the raised balconies over a CMU wainscot project a sense of solidity and privacy.
Tall metal‑panel frames wrap the cantilevered balconies at opposite corners, signaling the Leasing Center and Party Room amenities. Both anchor key vehicular entry points into the site.
Building 2 is comprised of: (4) studio units, (59) 1-bedroom units, and (33) 2-bedroom units.
BUILDING 3
(Building 2 | Photography, Floor Plans & Standard Details)
CADENCE
Building 3 stretches longer along the site than Building 2. This extended façade lets the vertical stacks of windows in beige brick play against the recessed balconies finished in olive stucco, creating a clear contrast in depth and material.
The building steps down with the falling grade without relying on major amenity spaces to mask the shift. As a result, viewers see a natural cascade of balconies and porches shaped directly by the terrain.
Building 3 features: (37) 2-bedroom units, (73) 1-bedroom units, and (6) studio units.
THE SECOND PASS
Aside from the grading needed for Phase 1 construction equipment, subcontractor parking, and the GC’s trailers, the Phase 2 lot remains untouched. Esplanade Way is fully built, and the curb cut for the west garage entry has been started. To the best of current knowledge, the owner—both developer and landlord—plans to recover Phase 1 construction costs through several years of rent before initiating Phase 2. Because the original permit was issued in 2023 under the 2018 IBC, it will expire in 2026 and must be reissued for approval before Phase 2 can proceed.
A shared green space links Phases 1 and 2, extending across Esplanade Way and connecting exterior and interior amenities on both lots. At its center, an amenity plaza offers a firepit, bench seating, and trellis structures suited for small gatherings or dog exercise.
Building 4 sits just north of the plaza and houses a two‑story fitness center. Residents can enter from two levels, with free weights and heavy machines on the ground floor and cardio equipment on the mezzanine above. On the opposite side of the plaza, Building 5 contains a recreation and game center with pool and table‑tennis tables, basketball arcade games, and a fireplace. At the far edge of the lot, Building 6 provides an internet café and outdoor seating patio.
All three buildings are four‑story, Type V‑A construction—an intentional trade‑off that reduces construction costs in exchange for one fewer story than the five‑story, Type III‑B structures in Phase 1.
My contributions during the Construction Documentation design of Phase 2 include:
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Making sure Revit-modeled elements matched the layout of details
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Coordinating the location and finishes of wall penetrations that distracted from the Building Elevations in Phase 1
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Implementing any design changes caused by Change Orders, RFIs, Submittal Reviews during Phase 1
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Implementing minor client-requested tweaks to Unit Plan layouts and finishes
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Drafting unique details for Type V-B assemblies and balconies
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Coordinating location of Shear Walls with Structural Drawings
BUILDING 4
(Building 4 | Floor Plans, RCPs, Elevations, Sections, Enlarged Plans & Details)
FITNESS
Building 4 is a four‑story, 113‑unit structure with a U‑shaped footprint that wraps the short edge of the West Garage. The ground floor sits partially below grade along the eastern side. Key amenities—including the fitness center, mail room, and yoga area—cluster around the outdoor plaza and the garage entrance.
My primary responsibilities at Building 4 involved verifying accessibility clearances and fire‑rated assemblies in shared spaces such as the mail room, entry vestibules, elevators, and the stair to the fitness mezzanine. This required adjusting many of Phase 1’s standard details to meet the requirements of the new Type V‑A construction.
Building 4 is comprised of (50) 2-bedroom units, (71) 1-bedroom units, and (12) studio units.
BUILDING 5
(Building 5 | Floor Plans, RCPs, Elevations, Sections, Enlarged Plans & Details)
PUBLIC UTILITY
Building 5 is one of the smallest on the site at a diminutive 4 stories and 65 units when compared to the other behemoths. This l-shaped structure is bent around the southeast corner of the Western Garage. One of these legs is unexcavated and fully-submerged at grade.
The most unique feature of Building 5 is its focus on personal utility and communal equipment so that the tenant needn't store everything in their own apartments. A huge storage bay provides individual storage stalls delineated by chain-link fencing. In Colorado, this is paramount as many young adults own heaps of ski gear, hiking equipment, kayaks and paddleboards, and more.
Across the corridor is a Bike Storage space that contains a ski- and bike-repair stations that are available to all residents. A dog washing/grooming space is accessed from the bike storage room, creating a one-stop-shop for residents to maintain their outdoor gear and pets.
One unique experience from Building 5 was creating a unique, one-time-use floor Plan for the 2-Bedroom Corner Unit above the Rec Center, which has a 3-sided gas fireplace at its center. Because it is gas-powered rather than electric—an irksome client request—it requires a vertical flue that exits directly to the roof. This entailed pushing a vertical chase through and accommodating it into the layout of all units above.
Building 5 is comprised of (25) 2-bedroom units, (38) 1-bedroom units, and (2) studio units.
BUILDING 6
(Building 6 | Floor Plans, RCPs, Elevations, Sections, Enlarged Plans & Details)
PERSONAL UTILITY
Building 6 is a simple, rectilinear, four‑story structure with seventy‑three units. It is one of the few slab‑on‑grade buildings on the site, with no foundational steps, making it the most straightforward to construct.
The resident experience centers on individual utilities for Phase 2 tenants. A wide eastern entrance leads directly into the mail and package‑receiving vestibules. The entry includes short‑term seating for residents waiting on visitors, deliveries, or ride‑share pickups.
An internet café anchors the building’s southern edge. The interior design team handled the full tenant build‑out, while our architectural team focused on the exterior envelope and entry conditions. Because the space lacks a vent hood and mechanical chase, it is protected from major future alterations and limited to light‑cooking uses.
Building 6 is comprised of (19) 2-bedroom units, (54) 1-bedroom units, and no studio units.
UNIT PLANS
(Unit Plans - Accessible Path, RCPs, & Bathroom Elevations)
UNIT PLANS
Studio units measure 480 square feet and are among the least common layouts in the project. The entry lands at a junction between the bathroom, mudroom, and galley kitchen. With space at a premium, the washer and dryer sit inside the bathroom, while the pantry and water‑heater closets occupy the remaining area along the path to the kitchen. At the center of the unit, the den serves as the primary sleeping space but can easily function as a home office or enclosed living room. Conversely, the area labeled “Living” can operate as a more traditional bedroom thanks to its natural light. A small dining nook sits at the corner between the living and kitchen zones, offering a view through the Juliette balcony. Overall, this studio layout is a distinctive configuration developed by EVStudio.
1-Bedroom Units measure 648 square feet and make up the majority of the project’s residential mix. The entry sits beside the laundry and utility closet, with the rest of the unit unfolding past the kitchen island. The bedroom and bathroom are tucked into a recessed nook, shielding them from noise and direct views into the living room. The spacious bedroom includes a full‑depth walk‑in closet that adds acoustic separation from the bathroom. Each unit features the standard 72‑square‑foot balcony.
1-Bedroom + Den Units measure 828 square feet. The entry opens into a shared zone that includes the coat closet, kitchen, dining area, and den. This layout uses the same kitchen configuration as the standard one‑bedroom, with the key difference being the larger dining area positioned behind the island. The bathroom, laundry and utility closet, and walk‑in closet cluster around the bedroom in the outer corner. The den is the primary selling point—a flexible, comfortable space that can function as a home office or personal workshop. Each unit includes a balcony
2-Bedroom Units measure 1,008 square feet. Shared services, public areas, and utilities cluster at the rear and center of the plan. A central spine—living room, kitchen, and laundry/utility—divides the two bedrooms. The smaller bedroom sits beside the public bathroom, while the larger primary bedroom connects directly to its own bathroom and walk‑in closet.
2-Bedroom Corner Units measure 1,008 square feet of floor space. It features a true entry vestibule that gradually guides residents into the adjacent living areas. The coat, utility, and laundry closets are tucked away, separated from the primary occupied spaces. Each bedroom occupies an opposite corner of the plan, divided by the main circulation path and kitchen. The primary bedroom connects to its own bathroom, which leads directly into the walk‑in closet. The secondary bedroom and public bathroom sit together at the far end. This layout is especially appealing because it allows residents to gather at the center of the home or retreat to opposite ends for privacy. The living room and balcony arrangement is also one of the most effective in the project: residents can access the balcony without passing through the living room, and the TV wall is positioned for clear visibility from the kitchen.
(Finish Photography | 1- and 2-Bedroom Apartments)
UNIT PLANS
During the Construction Administration of Phase 1, I was responsible for creating Observation Reports of non-complying work or obtaining photography of the previously-designed Unit Plans. Some of these catches and recommendations included:
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Recommending shallower refrigerators that didn't infringe on accessible path of travel in Studio units
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Advising that bathroom mirrors and ADA-switching for appliances didn't comply with ANSI reach ranges
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Suggesting the movable kitchen islands be placed on felt furniture-sliders to reduce scuffing on flooring
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Advocating to shift and re-center pendant lights over improperly located kitchen islands
During the Constructions Documentation of Phase 2, I applied lessons learned from Phase 1 and made revisions to the drawing sets. These included minor notes to add rubber stoppers on the rear of cabinet doors, furniture pads at the bottom of movable casework, and revised layouts for ceiling lighting that grouped or aligned items like supply ducts, sprinkler heads, thermostats, and more.
I've included a few finish photographs of the Units' kitchen and living rooms above.
AMENITIES
(Rooftop Lounge & Party Deck | Building 2)
PUBLIC USAGE
While EVStudio’s interior design team selected most finishes, furniture, and décor for the amenity spaces, the architecture team ensured those concepts fit within the allotted footprints and coordinated with the required assemblies. The architecture team also designed and detailed all casework and countertops.
Construction administration for the amenity spaces was led primarily by the architecture team. These public areas are distributed evenly across each building and phase. Because only Phase 1 has been constructed to date, the photos shown represent just half of the planned amenity program. Phase 2 will add Building 4’s athletic spaces—including the fitness center, mail room, and yoga area—Building 5’s personal‑utility amenities such as tenant storage, bike storage, repair stations, and dog‑washing rooms, and Building 6’s public‑facing utilities, including an internet café and mail and package‑receiving areas.
(Tenant Fitness Space | Building 1)
(Leasing Center & Community Room | Building 2)
(Party Room - Building 2)
(Outdoor Pool | Between Buildings 2 & 3)
(Co-working Space & Study Room| Building 3)
BUILDING 4
BUILDING 4
(Building 4 | text)
(Building 4 | text)
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