Scripps’ Denver facility sold, set for redevelopment

Scripps has sold the building of KMGH, branded on-air as Denver7, for $35 million with the site primed for redevelopment. 

Joint venture Property Markets Group and Greybrook Realty Partners plan to demolish the station’s current five-story building and replace it with a 12-story, 600-unit apartment and 14,000 square feet of commercial space.

The building at the corner of Speer Boulevard and Lincoln Street was completed in 1969 and features a unique Brutalist design with an octagonal floor plan.

Set Design

KMGH

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Locals have been trying to preserve the structure through a landmark designation with Landmark Preservation Commission voting 6-1 in favor. They noted, “the building embodies the history of KLZ and serves as a physical representation of television industry’s explosive growth during the 1960s, and its continued dominance in the following decades, as the preeminent source of news and entertainment for Denver-area residents.”

However, the Denver City Council denied those efforts in May 2021, clearing the way for the sale. 

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The neighborhood, along Cherry Creek, has seen multiple redevelopments demoing other buildings in favor of apartments. 

The building, branded on-air as “The Communications Center” was built for KMGH — then known as KLZ – which moved to the site from a former used-car dealership.

Today, Denver7 shares the space with independent channel KCDO, Local 3 Denver.

The E.W. Scripps Company first began exploring a sale in 2019 as the building was no longer a good fit for the station’s employees and as an opportunity to reduce operating costs, the station notes.

A new location has not been announced for KMGH but a leaseback is expected until a new spot is found and updated for the requirements of a broadcast facility. 

Image courtesy of Andrew Williams.