Blue Room House One is a mixed-use affordable housing development located in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe, a nationally recognized cultural corridor known for its concentration of artists, galleries, studios, theaters and creative businesses. Positioned within a transportation opportunity zone just minutes from downtown, the project leverages proximity to light rail, bus routes and bike infrastructure to support access to jobs and reduce reliance on automobiles.

The building is designed with affordability and efficiency at its core. A volumetric modular strategy drives cost savings that are passed directly on to rents, supporting a mix of affordability levels ranging from 30- to 80-percent area median income. The project fosters community connection through shared spaces while delivering housing that aligns with the urban neighborhood.

House One consists of a conventionally constructed first floor with retail, business, amenity and storage spaces, and floors two through five built using full volumetric modular. The building footprint is straightforward and repeatable, allowing modular construction to be leveraged effectively with a mix of predominantly studio-style apartments designed for accessibility.

The tight corner site presented significant logistical challenges, including limited space for staging, workforce parking, material deliveries and storage. A modular approach is mitigating these constraints by shifting much of the construction activity off-site, reducing congestion, shortening on-site duration and enabling a more controlled and predictable build process. Condensing the construction schedule will also accelerate the delivery of affordable housing units to this high-demand market.

RISE will serve as the modular manufacturer for the project. The project team intentionally designed the unit layouts and construction approach with modular repeatability in mind. By refining a standardized modular prototype, Blue Room Housing plans to replicate and improve the model in future developments, driving continued efficiencies and deeper affordability over time.

House One reflects Blue Room Housing’s broader goal of building smart, efficient housing in urban locations close to job centers and public transportation. By supporting walkability and transit access, the project helps conserve environmental resources while strengthening Denver’s urban, long-term livability.