Denver is heralded as one of the fastest growing cities in America, bringing more people and businesses to Colorado’s largest city and capital causing a massive spike in property value. To combat this issue, Denver Public Schools are consolidating administrative headquarters and multiple schools into one, vertical campus. The new DPS Vertical Campus houses the Downtown Denver Expeditionary School, Emily Griffith High School, Emily Griffith Technical College, Emily’s Cafe, an employee cafeteria with open collaboration spaces, new locker rooms and continuing education facilities.

With all of these schools coming together under one roof, the front entrance, lobby, and ground level had to be expanded and opened up to accommodate the massive increase in foot traffic. A welcoming atmosphere and improved accessibility were imperative with more than 3,500 students, visitors, and employees coming in and out of the lobby on a daily basis.

The Design Build vertical campus project includes elementary, high school and college classrooms and associated academic office space, student organization spaces, collaborative administrative office spaces and expansion of the ground floor and lobby areas and the 14th floor cafeteria. The project has a phased opening, with the Downtown Denver Expeditionary School and three levels of the Denver Public Schools administration staff occupying multiple levels while construction continues in the remainder of the building.