DENVER, March 24, 2025 —
Many people know Abel Design Group as a Houston-based firm, but we have offices across the U.S. — including Denver. And for our clients, that makes a big difference.
Why? Because being local isn’t just about having an office—it’s about understanding how business really gets done here. It’s about knowing the market, the process, the players, and how to avoid the headaches that can stall a project before it even gets off the ground.
We sat down with Associate Principal Bryan Kristof to dig into why having “boots on the ground” in Denver since 2017 makes a difference — especially when it comes to designing workspaces that attract tenants, keep employees engaged, and make the most of the current real estate landscape.
Why does it matter that we have a team in Denver?
BRYAN | Because you can’t design in a vacuum. To create spaces that actually work for businesses, you have to be where the action is. You have to understand not just the buildings but the people working in them — their expectations, their needs and what makes them want to show up to work every day.
Denver is a face-to-face business culture. Whether it’s brokers, developers or companies looking for space, people want to work with teams who are here — in the mix — not dialing in from another city. Decisions move faster when you’re able to meet in person. Issues get solved quicker when you can be on site. And — when it comes to things like working through zoning, permitting or city approvals? Let’s just say having the right relationships makes all the difference.
Denver’s office market has been tricky—what are companies looking for now?
BRYAN | There are few new, Class A office towers with availability right now. That means the focus on office space has shifted to upgrading and rethinking what already exists.
Owners and landlords realize that if they want to attract tenants, they have to make these buildings work harder and smarter. That means better amenity spaces, hospitality-style lobbies, cafes, lounges, fitness centers, meeting spaces and secure bike storage — and the kind of experiences that actually entice companies to sign a lease.
And it’s not just about “cool” design — it’s about making office spaces a strategic asset. Including spaces that support different work modes, integrating smart technology and configuring layouts to support hybrid work schedules. The companies that get this right will be the ones that keep their employees.
How does having a local team help projects actually get built?
BRYAN | If you’ve ever gone through the permitting process in Denver or other areas of Colorado, you know it can be a frustrating process. Things can get held up fast if you don’t know what you’re doing.
But when you know the right people to call, understand the peculiarities of the various jurisdictions and have connections with local contractors, engineers and vendors, projects don’t just get approved faster — they actually get built the way they were intended.
Having a local presence in Denver means we’re here when you need us. We can be on-site for quick decisions, work through challenges in real time and keep projects on track. That’s not just convenience — it’s time and money saved.
What’s the deal with Denver’s booming industrial market?
BRYAN | If you’ve driven around the area lately, you’ve probably noticed a whole lot of warehouse space is going up. And it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Colorado has become a logistics and distribution hub. Land is being developed all over for industrial space. But here’s the thing — these aren’t just massive, empty boxes anymore. The new wave of industrial spaces is evolving — with better offices, more amenities and work environments that actually consider the people inside them.,
A lot of industrial clients are looking for smarter, more efficient layouts — how to streamline workflow, optimize warehouse-to-office connections and create employee spaces that go beyond the basic breakroom. This is where design can have a serious impact — making operations run smoother and attracting top talent to a sector that’s growing fast.
What about ADG’s expertise in hospitality and restaurant design? Is it different designing for the mountain resorts?
BRYAN | Colorado’s resort towns — Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek — have a different energy entirely. The hospitality scene here is high-end, experience-driven and always evolving. If a restaurant or hotel isn’t offering something exceptional, it won’t last.
Design plays a huge role in setting that tone. Whether it’s a boutique hotel or a restaurant, these spaces have to be more than just beautiful — they have to elicit an emotional response. Guests and locals have traveled the world and seen the best of the best. Colorado’s resorts have to meet those expectations. That means bespoke designs, seamless indoor-outdoor transitions and layouts that maximize both experience and efficiency.
And let’s not forget — seasonality is a major factor. Spaces in these mountain towns need to work for both high-traffic winter ski seasons and slower summer months. We design to balance style, durability and functionality all year long.
The tech industry is flocking to Colorado. How does that impact office design?
BRYAN | Tech companies love Colorado. The lifestyle, the talent pool, the cost of living compared to Silicon Valley — it’s all working in their favor. But when it comes to office space, they have high expectations.
These companies don’t want the same old cubicles. They want spaces that support how their teams actually work — collaborative zones, private focus areas, integrated A/V for hybrid meetings — and, of course, plenty of connection to the outdoors.
Flexibility is key. Many of these companies are still figuring out what their office footprint should be, so designing for adaptability is huge. Moveable walls, modular workstations and multipurpose spaces are all on the table. And let’s not forget — most tech companies do not have a return-to-office policy. If their office doesn’t feel like a place they want to be, they won’t be there.
In all, why does being local matter?
BRYAN | When it comes to working through the architecture and design process, there’s no substitute for having a local team. The commercial real estate market is evolving. No matter what we’re designing, spaces need to be dynamic enough need to attract tenants, retain employees and keep businesses competitive.
That’s where we come in. We know the market. We know the process. And most importantly, we know how to make spaces work for the people who use them.