FitzGerald partnered with a team of graduate real estate students in the 2024 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge to design Commerce Corridor—a transformative mixed-use development in Commerce City, Colorado. The project aimed to unite diverse neighborhoods and foster a thriving ecosystem of local businesses.

FitzGerald’s master plan prioritized community engagement, sustainable growth, and connectivity. Anchored by green spaces and transit hubs, the design integrates a mix of uses to activate the area day and night. Residential offerings include 440 market-rate apartments, 170 affordable housing units, and 72 family-oriented townhomes. Ground-floor retail, small business accelerators with 80 micro-retail stalls, and a boutique 120-key Hyatt Place hotel bring vibrancy and opportunity to the site.

The plan features retail and entrepreneurial hubs, including accelerator corridors and the 20,000-square-foot Adelante Innovation Hub. These spaces empower small businesses with resources, shared kitchens, and coworking areas, promoting economic growth and inclusivity.

Central to the development is a 2.5-acre signature park and the 3.3-acre Dick’s Sporting Goods Plaza. These interconnected spaces serve as a vibrant hub for community activity, hosting events like sports watch parties, concerts, outdoor movie nights, and local festivals. Designed for flexibility, they balance large-scale gatherings with opportunities for everyday recreation and connection, creating a true “heart” for Commerce Corridor.

This collaboration exemplified FitzGerald’s ability to align visionary design with client aspirations and market realities. By integrating data-driven insights, community feedback, and sustainable principles, the plan delivered a unified vision for Commerce Corridor—a development poised to become a regional landmark built by and for Commerce City’s residents.