A modern three-story building with a wood exterior, large windows, and a rooftop patio with white umbrellas, set against a blue sky.
A two-story building with a wooden facade and large windows, featuring a rooftop patio with umbrellas and people socializing on a sunny day in an urban setting.
Modern multi-story building with the word 'AVANTI' painted on the black exterior wall, featuring windows and an outdoor staircase, set against a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Interior of a modern bar or lounge with a group of people standing near the bar counter. There are multiple flat screen TVs mounted on the walls, artwork, and large windows letting in natural light. The ceiling features exposed wood beams, and the se
Modern multi-story building with a wooden facade and large windows, some of which are reflecting the sky and clouds. There are a few people walking outside, and a rooftop patio with a couple of people enjoying the view. The building is situated in an
Bar shelf with various liquor bottles, wine bottles, hanging wine glasses, and beer taps with colorful handles.
Aerial view of a busy multi-level restaurant and bar with outdoor seating, crowded with people, at sunset, with a large sign that reads "AVANTI" on the side of the building.
A modern bar and lounge area with exposed wood ceiling, brick wall, and seating with mixed furniture styles. There are people seated at the bar and in the lounge area.
Interior of a modern restaurant or cafe with white tables, black seating, and pendant lighting, featuring patrons dining and socializing.
A two-story restaurant and bar with large windows on a city street, outdoor rooftop terrace with string lights and people dining, trees, streetlights, and a cloudy evening sky.
Interior of a modern, industrial-style cafe or lounge with wooden ceiling beams, large windows, and a mix of seating including leather chairs, bar stools, and a long high-top table with a small lamp.
Modern bar and restaurant with indoor seating and an outdoor patio, featuring a long white counter, barstools, and people dining and socializing.
Rooftop patio with outdoor seating and city skyline in the background
Modern building with wooden and concrete exterior featuring large windows, an outdoor staircase, and the word "AVANT" painted on the black section of the building.
People socializing on a rooftop patio overlooking a city skyline during dusk, with string lights hanging above.
A modern two-story building with large glass windows and a wooden exterior, illuminated from inside, with people on the outdoor balcony and street, parked cars, and a cloudy evening sky.
People on a rooftop terrace overlooking a city skyline at dusk, with outdoor tables and red chairs under a metal roof.

Avanti Food & Beverage

Adaptive Reuse, Food Hall

Denver, Co 2015 : 10,000 sq ft Architect of Record

AIA Denver Award of Merit 2016

Mayor’s Design Award 2017

Project Overview

The Avanti food and beverage project tackles a challenging urban infill site by transforming a 1935 multi-use structure, long past its prime, into a vibrant, high-traffic destination adjacent to the 20th Street Overpass. Our task was to introduce a bold, untested concept, the modern food hall and restaurant incubator, within the constraints of a tight urban footprint, all while honoring the neighborhood’s historic scale and architectural character. The result is a dynamic, community-driven environment that merges contemporary programmatic innovation with authentic urban fabric.

  • Urban Infill & Programmatic Risk

    By employing inventive programmatic strategies and an adaptive-reuse mindset, Meridian 105 preserved the building’s original character while significantly reducing both construction costs and timeline. A defining innovation of the project was the use of repurposed steel shipping containers to house micro-kitchens—an economical, low-risk startup model that supports emerging restaurateurs and reinforces the project’s incubator mission.

  • Inventive Architecture & ROI

    We further maximized the property’s value and leasable area by introducing a second level, carefully balancing interior square footage with exterior observation decks and stepped seating. These elevated outdoor spaces provide unobstructed downtown views, establishing one of the project’s most compelling experiential and economic drivers.

  • Community Anchor & Asset Value

    Avanti Food & Beverage is widely recognized as Denver’s first modern food hall, successfully launching dozens of culinary concepts and creating a dynamic, high-traffic social hub at the gateway to the LoHi neighborhood. The project revitalized the corridor, attracted substantial foot traffic, and established a high-performing asset that continues to draw media attention and repeat visitors.