Denver Completes Reimagined Pedestrian Mall

The mile-long 16th Street mall in the center of Denver is now a pedestrian-friendly, car-free space following a $175 million project. Just two blocks from the Colorado Convention Center, the strip is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues, all connected with free, electric transportation.

The renovated street features wider walkways, vibrant public spaces, larger restaurant patios, an expanded tree canopy, seating areas, interactive art and family-friendly play structures.

“The revitalized 16th Street is a dynamic new centerpiece for Denver’s meetings and events scene,” said Lee Ann Benavidez, senior vice president and chief sales and services officer at Visit Denver. “This vibrant, clean, pedestrian-friendly corridor — lined with local restaurants, unique shops and iconic attractions — creates an inviting and safe atmosphere where attendees can recharge, connect and experience the heartbeat of our city. It’s more than a street; it’s a fresh outdoor extension of the meeting experience.”

Designing the new spaces

Renovations to the mall began in the spring of 2022 with the goal of improving safety and mobility, addressing deteriorating infrastructure, and creating more opportunities for the people who live, work and visit the Mile High City. 

The area originally was envisioned by the Regional Transportation District and Downtown Denver Partnership in the 1980s to clear congestion and improve quality of life downtown. Noted architect I.M Pei designed the original granite-stone sidewalks and streets to resemble the scale pattern of the western diamondback rattlesnake, which the new design replicates.

As a nod to Denver’s historical roots, the mile-long street has welcomed back the police department's mounted horse patrols, which help keep the area safe while encouraging pedestrians to bond with the horses. 
 
The Downtown Denver Partnership is hosting events along the revitalized street, including a beer garden through September; Upper DownTUNES, a free live-music series Monday through Friday during lunch time and at happy hour; and for Colorado Rockies baseball pregames. (Find the calendar here.)

Electric shuttle buses branded as the 16th Street Free Ride provide convenient transit between Denver Union Station, the terminus for Denver’s airport rail line, and Civic Center Park with stops on every corner in between. The free shuttles run every five minutes or so throughout the day, connecting with the 52 downtown hotels and nearly 13,000 guest rooms within walking distance of the convention center.

Meeting on the mall

Visit Denver welcomed event attendees as some of the first to enjoy the newly revitalized 16th Street, such as the 5,000 attendees of the Barbershop Harmony Society convention, 75,000 attendees of Fan Expo, 5,000 attendees of the Cardinal Health annual conference, 5,500 attendees of the Global Business Travel Association conference.