Sopher Sparn Architects - Planning Board Approves S*PARK

They Voted "Yes"

On September 3, 2015, the City Planning Board voted unanimously to approve S*PARK, a contemporary modern, urban village that will be the first of its kind in Boulder County. S*PARK (short for Sutherland Park), is a 9.8 acre community that was master planned and designed by Sopher Sparn Architects and developed by Element Properties led by Scott Holton.The project is a mixed-use community comprising of 20 buildings and 680,000 square feet of building area. S*PARK aspires to be a cutting-edge modern urban village of sustainability, a remarkable venue for the exchange of interests and ideas, and a socially inclusive place to live and work for Boulder's future generations.The architectural teams for S*PARK are Sopher Sparn Architects, Surround Architects and Works Bureau. Sopher Sparn designed 14 of the 20 structures in S*PARK, over 4 sites. These sites are:

CICLO A community-oriented mixed use, non-profit space that will house Community Cycles and 32 permanently affordable rental flats.

RAILYARDS An industrial-inspired, trackside commercial building along a pedestrian-friendly woonerf with retail, commercial, office and restaurant spaces.

S*PARK WEST 12 mixed-residential buildings comprised of 24 ‘for sale’ market rate and 45 ‘for rent’ permanently affordable townhouses with individual porches and access to community green spaces.

“The Planning Board’s approval for S*PARK represents a giant leap forward towards creating affordable, livable and walkable communities in the City of Boulder,” says Principal in Charge Adrian Sopher of Sopher Sparn Architects. “We’re thrilled to be that much closer to filling a need for our great city."

What Boulder Planning Board is Saying

The room was filled with positive comments, interesting perspectives and thoughtful opinions on September 3, when the Planning Board came to the unanimous decision to proceed with the documentation phase of S*PARK. Before the board made their decision, they went down the table and shared their thoughts. Here are a few things they said about our project.

"I’d like to congratulate you on doing what, to me, is really a fantastic project and one that really stands out in my four and half years on [the] Planning Board."Aaron Brockett, Chair

“The buildings are excellently designed; the materials are good materials. I think it’s going to be a enduring, good place. One idea that is working really well is having several architects involved and different designers.”Bryan Bowen

"This is a strong design and architectural package. The Railyards Building may have been the best building I’ve seen since I’ve been on the Planning Board."John Putnam“I support the diversity of housing types and also the diversity of commercial [space] including restaurants and retail.”Crystal Gray

7 Things You Should Know About S*PARK

There's so many great and beneficial things about this new modern, community that we can't wait to tell you about. But since this blog is only so long (and because you don't have all day, which is a bummer), here are seven highlights that we'd like you to know about our new project.

20 Buildings + 680,000 square feet of mixed-use space including residential, retail, open and commercial space including Upslope Brewery & Community Cycles.
Diverse housing options: 45 Market-Rate Townhomes, 45 Permanently Affordable Townhomes for rent, 129 Workforce Flats, Live-Work & Townhomes for rent, 15 Condo Flats for sale & 32 Permanently Affordable Flats for rent.
120,000 square feetof parks & open space
Committed to becoming Colorado's 1st LEED-ND Platinum Neighborhood
New Quiet Zonesto reduce noise from passing trains.
A Transit-Rich community with access to Bus Rapid Transit, bike & walking paths & a pedestrian-friendly woonerf.
Architecture that promotes design-diversity and inspires authentic materials that represent the industrial heritage of the site and area.