More than just an apartment building, One River North is a vertical landscape for its residents to wander as if hiking in the mountains. “Imagine living in a building yet feeling as though you’re immersed in a natural landscape – like living within a canyon itself,” explains MAD Principal Architect, Ma Yansong.

As residents traverse the building’s canyon trail from the sixth to the ninth floor, they become immersed in curated environments inspired by Colorado’s foothill and canyon ecosystems, guided by the sounds of cascading water that is audible from the street below. With One River North, MAD seeks to reimagine urban living by integrating natural experiences into modern architecture, creating immersive living experiences that foster community and strengthen residents’ connections to each other and the natural world.

This innovative approach is in response to the environmental conditions of Denver, a city known for the rugged mountains and deep canyons that surround its urban area. Within the city, the River North Art District (RiNo) has recently experienced a remarkable transformation. Once an industrial hub, it has since evolved into a thriving centre for creators, artists and outdoor enthusiasts that, together, reinvigorate the creative and active culture of Colorado.

One River North addresses Denver’s need for high-density urban housing while offering an expanded lifestyle centred on wellness and accessibility in a safe, walkable neighbourhood. MAD’s design reflects the city’s active culture by encouraging exploration, wellbeing and a connection to nature that strengthens its residents’ ties to their surroundings and to one another.

The building features 187 rental units spread across 15 floors, along with a 9000ft2 ground-floor retail space that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape and streetscape. Exterior materials and plantings flow into the interior, reinforcing the connection between indoors and outdoors.

The soft surfaces of the Canyon – a carved-out, four-storey amenity space inspired by natural erosion and designed to evoke a slot canyon, were designed by MAD to contrast the clean geometric lines of the building’s massing. This feature includes over 13,000ft2 of landscaped terraces that appear to hang in open space, offering some of the city’s most breathtaking views, along with water elements that foster a strong connection between residents and the natural environment. The canyon-like structure running through the facade creates an immersive, natural experience, merging indoor and outdoor spaces and blurring the boundaries between nature and architecture.

The canyon-inspired amenity area includes outdoor seating, shared rooms and fitness facilities, all designed to cultivate engagement and foster meaningful connections. Drawing inspiration from Colorado’s diverse biomes, its landscape design reflects the state’s natural conditions and unique plant life, which change over the course of the four seasons. The landscape has been thoughtfully curated with resilient plant species to ensure that, over time, the greenery will flourish, transforming the canyon-like feature into a lush, thriving environment that enhances the residents’ experience and contributes to the surrounding community.

The Canyon climbs across the building’s facades to culminate at a landscaped rooftop terrace 16 storeys above street level. This alpine-inspired space features a pool, spa and garden that provide unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.

One River North has earned Fitwel certification, a prestigious recognition that highlights its commitment to promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of its residents. This certification, awarded to fewer than 1000 buildings worldwide, reflects the project’s innovative approach to mixed-use development. By offering a thoughtfully-curated, immersive living experience that emphasises placemaking and fosters a sense of community, One River North sets a new standard for urban living focused on human health and wellness.