One River North, Denver, USA - design Mad Architects
One River North, Denver, USA - design Mad Architects

More than just a 16-story apartment building, One River North is a vertical landscape for its residents to wander as if hiking in the mountains. As residents traverse the building’s canyon trail from the 6th to the 9th floor, they become immersed in curated environments inspired by Colorado’s foothill and canyon ecosystems, guided by the sounds of cascading water that is audible from the street below.

The soft surfaces of the Canyon—a carved-out, four-story amenity space inspired by natural erosion and designed to evoke a slot canyon, were designed to contrast the clean geometric lines of the building’s massing. This feature includes over 13,000 square feet of landscaped terraces that appear to hang in open space, offering some of the city’s most breathtaking views, along with water elements and resilient plant species. The canyon-like structure running through the façade creates an immersive, natural experience, merging indoor and outdoor spaces and blurring the boundaries between nature and architecture. Over time, the greenery will flourish, transforming the canyon-like feature into a lush, thriving environment that enhances the residents’ experience and contributes to the surrounding community.

The canyon-inspired amenity area includes outdoor seating, shared rooms, and fitness facilities, all designed to cultivate engagement and foster meaningful connections. The Canyon climbs across the building’s facades to culminate at a landscaped rooftop terrace 16 stories above street level. This alpine-inspired space features a pool, spa, and garden that provide unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.

Owner: The Max Collaborative, Uplands Real Estate Partners, Zakhem Real Estate Group
Architectural Design: MAD Architects
Executive Architect: Davis Partnership Architects
Contractor: Saunders Construction
Interior designer: The Interior Studio at Davis Partnership Architects
Structural Engineer: Jirsa Hedrick
MEP Engineer: ME Engineers
Landscape: Davis Partnership Architects
Civil Consultant: Kimley-Horn
Photography: Iwan Baan, Parrish Ruiz De Velasco and Vic Ryan