Denver’s historic Equitable Building strives to meet 21st Century energy goals

Denver city is working towards making its buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The historic Equitable Building, constructed in the late 19th century, is currently undergoing a transformation to meet these modern goals.

This building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is making the switch from a downtown steam-heat loop to a new natural gas system. The majority of the renovation work is being done internally to enhance energy efficiency while maintaining the building’s historic exterior, which includes Colorado granite and terra cotta ornamentation.

To accommodate a 22,000-pound boiler plant, which is a key part of the update, it was necessary to place it on the roof due to space constraints inside the building. Working in conjunction with Elevate Real Estate Services Inc., Braconier, a local mechanical engineering firm, devised a solution to this challenge.

Recently, traffic was diverted around the building at 730 17th St. to facilitate the installation of the new boiler plant. This plant, measuring 23 feet in length, 12 feet in width, and 12 feet in height, was carefully lowered onto a platform on the roof.

“We went through an extensive approval process with Historic Denver to ensure minimal visibility of the new equipment from street level,” stated Andrew Glaser, vice president of operations at Elevate.

Historic Denver, a nonprofit organization with an easement on the Equitable Building’s facade, played a crucial role in the renovation process.

The Equitable Life Assurance Company originally constructed this building in the Italian Renaissance Revival style to serve as a cornerstone of Denver’s financial district. The building’s opulent interior boasts mosaic tiles, marble features, chandeliers, and a Tiffany stained glass window.

Elevate is overseeing a $5.5 million renovation project on the Equitable Building, with a significant portion allocated towards the conversion to natural gas heating. Additional enhancements include elevator modernization, fire alarm system upgrades, and facade restoration.

The new heating system is expected to not only align with the city’s energy efficiency directives but also substantially reduce the building’s energy expenses. Currently, the building incurs around $200,000 annually for heating costs, comprising more than half of its total utility expenses.

Glaser anticipates a 40% reduction in energy costs with the implementation of the new system.

According to Emily Gedeon from the city’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, the existing steam loop serving downtown Denver’s large buildings is outdated and inefficient, with rates having doubled over the past decade.

The city has conducted a feasibility study for a shared carbon-free heating and cooling system downtown and secured a $4.9 million grant for a pilot program.

Glaser explained that Elevate explored various heating alternatives for the Equitable Building, including heat pumps and electricity, before settling on natural gas due to its cost-effectiveness and compatibility with the existing infrastructure.