Photo: Jason O’Rear
Stunning design and sustainable living aren’t mutually exclusive. The two can support and inform one another, creating something that is climate-neutral or even climate-positive. The luxury hotel Populus Denver strikes a balance between stellar architectural design and environmental consciousness.
As an impressive addition to the Denver skyline, the exterior celebrates nature with white, round forms and eye-shaped window cutouts. The aesthetic is meant to evoke the bark of an aspen tree, with “eyes” that punctuate its whitish hue. The feeling is futuristic yet familiar.
Eugene Kim, My Modern Met co-founder and editor-in-chief, stayed at the hotel during his time in the city. “It was love at first sight when I saw Populus Denver, designed by the world-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang,” he shares. “I later learned that its form was inspired by the Colorado aspen tree—a revelation that made me fall even harder for the project. Discovering that it is the first carbon-positive hotel in the United States sealed the deal: this is a building with both beauty and purpose.”
Populus Denver was developed by Urban Villages, the group also behind Populus Seattle. “They’re setting a new benchmark for how modern hotels can unify design and sustainability,” Kim continues.”Every detail has been carefully considered, from the type of concrete used to the integration of wind energy—even when it comes at a higher cost. Yet those choices pay off in natural light, energy efficiency, and a sense of responsibility that permeates the space.”
The hotel interior, designed by Wildman Chalmers Design with FOWLER Architecture and Design, features 265 guest rooms that continue to celebrate nature and pay homage to the surrounding Mountain West region. “The design was equally stunning inside,” Kim shares. “Teardrop-shaped windows frame both the bedrooms and even the bathtub, while wood floors and walls create a warm harmony of textures and tones.” And while artwork is an afterthought in many hotels, Populus Denver uses it as a vehicle to further celebrate the inspiration for its design.
The materials used in the interior were chosen to minimize the building’s overall carbon footprint. This required consciously sourcing and using reclaimed materials where possible. The wood slats in the lobby ceiling, for instance, were once wood snow fencing in Wyoming, and many of the guest room headboards were fashioned from fallen beetle-kill pine.
Populus Denver has two restaurants, Stellar Jay and Pasque, as well as a coffee shop called Little Owl. Stellar Jay is a rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace that has a live fire menu, and Pasque offers all-day dining with seasonally driven cuisine. Little Owl Coffee, located in the lobby, has a walk-up window, making it easy to grab a coffee or a snack throughout the day. “I loved the gourmet coffee, and dinner at Stellar Jay was a highlight, combining delicious food with spectacular views,” Kim notes.
For the traveler who loves great design and food, and cares about the health of the planet, you can’t beat Populus Denver. And better yet, when you stay at the hotel, you’re directly contributing to a better ecosystem. “Urban Villages has a ‘One Night, One Tree’ initiative,” Kim explains, “where a tree is planted for every night you stay—and Populus Denver becomes more than just a hotel. It’s a model for how thoughtful design can shape a sustainable future.”
Stunning design and sustainable living aren’t mutually exclusive. The luxury hotel Populus Denver strikes a balance between stellar architectural design and environmental consciousness.
Photo: Jason O’Rear
The exterior celebrates nature with white, round forms and eye-shaped window cutouts. The aesthetic is meant to evoke the bark of an aspen tree, with “eyes” that punctuate its whitish hue.
Photo: Jason O’Rear
Eugene Kim, My Modern Met Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, stayed at the hotel during his time in the city. “It was love at first sight when I saw Populus Denver, designed by the world-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang,” he shares.
Photo: Steve Hall
Photo: Yoshihiro Makino
“I later learned that its form was inspired by the Colorado aspen tree—a revelation that made me fall even harder for the project. Discovering that it is the first carbon-positive hotel in the United States sealed the deal: this is a building with both beauty and purpose.”
Photo: Yoshihiro Makino
The materials used in the interior were chosen to minimize the building’s overall carbon footprint. This required consciously sourcing and using reclaimed materials where possible.
Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met
Populus Denver has two restaurants. One of them is Pasque, which offers all-day dining with seasonally driven cuisine.
Photo: Yoshihiro Makino
Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met
Stellar Jay is a rooftop bar with an outdoor terrace that has a live fire menu…
Photo: Alanna Hale
Photo: Eugene Kim / My Modern Met
… and an amazing view of the city.
Photo: Steve Hall
Photo: Yoshihiro Makino
Photo: Jason O’Rear
Photo: Jason O’Rear
Photo: Jason O’Rear
