Aaravya Investments came to us with a big challenge, and an even bigger opportunity. Denver International Airport (DIA) travelers needed a place to refuel their vehicles and themselves outside the airport gates. The perfect spot? The Peña Boulevard Corridor: a recently developing gateway between Interstate 70 and the DIA terminal.
The Denver International Airport has long been renowned for their premium amenities and sustainable design. This travel center, then, needed to be an extension of that experience. So the vision for Elevate was born—and we had our work cut out for us.
The Challenge
The vision for Elevate was vast: A 48-pump gas station, a sustainable car wash, EV charging, a dog park, a new cell phone waiting lot—and that was just the exterior. The dual-level interior would feature a high-end convenience store, multiple fresh food purveyors, a lounge and coworking area, and a bar and rooftop deck.
To add to the feat, the Peña Boulevard Corridor was anything but pad-ready. The government-owned public land contained nothing but a single manhole, requiring extensive infrastructure as well as significant leasing and bonding arrangements with the city of Denver before building could begin.
Aaravya Investments and DIA needed a construction team with experience far beyond that of general contracting—a partner who would invest in the project from the very beginning, spearhead the infrastructure, navigate the Denver-area complexities, and ensure an error-free build that meticulously stewarded every investment dollar.
Our Experienced Solution
We met these challenges with confidence. With 24 years constructing automotive facilities in and around Denver, along with extensive knowledge in large-scale infrastructure, sustainable methods, compliance navigation, and value engineering, the partnership was a no-brainer.
1. Partnering Pre-Construction
Partnering with the Elevate team at the design stage allowed us to carefully co-plan the complex large-scale design and development to fulfill their vision and solve problems before they arose. This is key to our approach. Not only does early partnership yield better collaboration and smoother development; it saves our clients tens of thousands. In the case of a project of this scale, it can save them hundreds of thousands.
2. Securing Administrative Clearance
Extensive administrative work was needed before the city could clear the publicly owned land for private development, largely because no system yet existed. But Denver is our home, and we’ve problem-solved in this capacity with local landowners and city officials for years.
Our team worked extensively with Denver’s city government to find a solution that worked for all parties and satisfied the unique bonding requirements for the corridor. Our solution also paved the way for future development of the 1,000+ acres along the Peña Boulevard Corridor to provide clear direction for future projects like Elevate.
3. Planning for Large-Scale Success
From site size to amenity volume, Elevate was no small job. But whether it’s a gas station travel center, an industrial facility, a retail destination, or something else, we meet large-scale problems with large-scale solutions.
During the design stage, we listened to the team’s needs and recommended how best to develop the 6+ acres into the enduring investment property and community asset they envisioned. But we don’t cut corners. We illuminate cost-saving alternatives at every project stage that maintain and honor the design vision.
4. Incorporating Automotive Expertise
When the Elevate team wanted a 48-pump gas station, EV charging, and a premium car wash—all built with sustainability best practices—we knew exactly what to do, because we’ve been doing it for decades.
Unlike other general contractors, our team knows automotive facility engineering inside and out. A build like Elevate requires highly specialized equipment to move massive amounts of water and power in Denver’s fluctuating climate. As just one example, we mapped over 100,000 feet of conduit to ensure the utmost structural safety and durability—a proficiency that many general GCs would not be equipped to handle.
5. Achieving Sustainability Goals
Sustainability is a top priority for the Denver International Airport and thus was a primary goal for Elevate. Our team keeps up on the latest sustainable building techniques and LEED standards to help clients like Elevate reach their goals.
Elevate’s design includes solar canopies on the gas station as well as a water reclamation system for the car wash—two strategies that our team is adept in. The solar canopies will help power the entire travel center with green energy, while the water reclamation system will safely recycle water, instead of discarding it. As construction unfolds, we’re excited to continue helping the Elevate team align the facility with the highest LEED green building standards.
6. Establishing Infrastructure
For a project of this scale, a strong foundation was a must. Our ability to prepare both raw dirt and pad-ready sites means clients like Elevate don’t need to hire on another team. We take care of it, no matter the size or site condition, and then carry that knowledge through the construction process.
For Elevate, our team transformed the raw dirt site into a solid foundation ready to facilitate large volumes of water, gas, power, and waste, even in the most severe Rocky Mountain conditions.
What’s Next?
Over the next several months, we’ll build the Elevate vision into a reality, set to open its doors in the summer of 2026. Follow along on the Elevate website for updates or reach out to our team with any questions.