The mere mention of the 16th Street Mall tends to stir strong reactions amongst Denverites. The mile-long pedestrian throughway, once a bustling hub of activity, has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the aftereffects of COVID-19, then exacerbated by prolonged construction.
Opened in 1982 and designed by architectural luminaries I.M. Pei, Henry Cobb, and Laurie Olin, the Mall has been hailed as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The current 13-block reconstruction project, led by the City and County of Denver, RTD, and the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP), started in 2022. The goal focused on improving safety, expanding public spaces, and creating a more inviting environment for pedestrians.
In June, the block from Lawrence to Larimer was the first to reopen, finally bringing the decade-long vision to life, but restaurants continue to face hurdles in the name of modernization.
In With the New, the Progress and Challenges the Mall Faces
Reports of increased costs to the tune of more than $23 million above the original project contract, as well as delays on the opening date, decreased sales for retailers and restaurants on the street, and numerous business closures, have made it difficult for the public and local operators to fully buy into the vision.
Mary Nguyen, who owns Little Finch on 16th and Blake Streets as well as Olive & Finch in Uptown and Cherry Creek, said it’s been an uphill battle since opening in January 2023.
“There are minimal points of access to our café, constant noise, and barricades that deter guests,” she added. “In 2024, the 16th Street Mall was entirely shut down for infrastructure upgrades.”
This caused the blockage of traffic to her shop, making it difficult for guests to access and even see the storefront. Nguyen shares the same frustration with the situation as many of her patrons, simply, it’s hard to reach the café. In turn that means less business and fewer customers who become loyal visitors.
“Ongoing construction on the 16th Street Mall is yet another challenge deterring diners from going out in Downtown Denver, suppressing the customer traffic that restaurants rely on to stay afloat,” said Colin Larson, the Colorado Restaurant Association’s director of government affairs.
Smashburger, located on the recently reopened block, has been on the Mall since 2010. Staff there witnessed the evolution firsthand.
“Since construction began, foot traffic has drastically reduced, especially during the evening hours,” shared Rod Boyer, vice president of Western U.S. and international operations. “While we are not yet back to the pre-construction levels of foot traffic, we are certainly bullish on that returning, and exceeding previous traffic.”
According to DDP, the project team has worked closely with impacted businesses to help them understand timelines, as well as provide signage, nearly $1.3 million in stabilization and mitigation grants, and marketing toolkits. But not all tenants feel the project team has been completely transparent about the state of affairs.
“When we moved into this space, we did our research but couldn’t find any information about how the Mall renovations would impact our corner,” recalled Nguyen. “This area wasn’t part of the renovation process we were informed about.”
Evolving Business Strategies
In order to survive on the Mall these days, restaurants have been forced to adapt. Smashburger, for example, has relied heavily on third-party delivery and catering to offset the reduced foot traffic. Little Finch has increased its digital outreach, offered more takeout and dine-in specials, and participated in community events to maintain visibility.
Similarly, Chez Maggy has focused on marketing and public relations efforts as well as events to remain in the public eye. One of those events was CollaborEAT, hosted by DDP, where Little Finch served the appetizers and Chez Maggy the main entree.
“Over 200 people came to our CollaborEAT event to enjoy dinner on the first open block,” said DDP chief of external affairs and managing director Kate Barton, who has worked on the project for over a decade. “We’ve been dreaming about having people dining in the middle of 16th Street for 10 years, and to see all of the planning and visioning for Downtown come to life was really amazing.”
Alfresco dining will be a big draw for the updated Mall, and a strategy many outlets will be utilizing to bring customers back in. The Thompson will soon be debuting its new patio, and other restaurants have already made the leap.
“We heard from the owner of Blue Agave Grill, located on the recently reopened block, which was able to debut their extended patio,” added Barton. “They said while it was challenging, it was worth the wait.”
CJ Cloyes, regional manager of Flight Club, an upscale darts bar which opened last June on the farther end of the Mall, has seen success with its outdoor dining options as well.
“Now that summer is in full swing, our beautiful patio has been getting a lot of attention for happy hours and weekend meetups,” he said.
Looking Ahead, Is the Mall Worth the Wait
DDP tells us that once renovations are complete, folks can expect to see expanded tree canopies along the corridor, a paver design that honors the original Navajo rug and diamondback rattlesnake pattern, and new place structures. The end of construction also heralds the return of the shuttle from Civic Center to Union Station. Buses will run in the center of the mall to allow for 10 feet of public amenity space on both sides, fostering a human-scale experience with kiosks, public art, green spaces, play areas for children, and more.
Despite ongoing challenges, there seems to be a collective optimism about the Mall’s future.
Smashburger is planning upgrades to the premises, anticipating renewed interest once the construction is complete. Cloyes at Flight Club thinks the improvements will encourage people to rediscover Downtown. And Julian Tucker, general manager of the Thompson Hotel, has already observed more visitors to the area, and consequently, the restaurant and hotel.
“The mall upgrades will further solidify Downtown Denver’s status as a premier tourist destination and thriving business hub,” said Nguyen. “We wouldn’t have chosen this location if we didn’t believe in the possibilities that come from upgrading the mall to benefit the business community, locals, and tourists alike.”
Most hopeful of all is DDP and the project team. “We are really excited that the first four blocks will open up to Curtis Street in the fall. This milestone will bring back patio cafes and vibrant public spaces, showcasing the potential of the completed project,” Barton expressed.
The real work will begin once the Mall is fully open. DDP says there will be concerted efforts to continue maintenance and a comprehensive plan for upkeep, safety, beautification, and investment in Downtown.
“One thing we’ve been saying is that great cities do hard things, and this is a really hard thing,” added Barton. “I really believe this project has the ability to bring the Mall into its next phase.”
The 16th Street Mall improvement project is currently slated to finish in fall 2025. Visit the 16th Street Mall project website for updates.
