Downtown Review Board approves 1 Vela 27‑story mixed‑use tower after large public response

The Downtown Review Board voted unanimously Feb. 4 to approve a form‑based zone development plan for 1 Vela, a proposed 27‑story mixed‑use tower on the northeast corner of Sawatch Street and West Castilla in downtown Colorado Springs. The project was referred to the board for public review even though form‑based applications can be administratively approved.

Ryan Tiefertiller, urban planning manager, told the board the development plan proposes roughly 400 multifamily units with about 8,300 square feet of street‑level commercial, approximately 460 structured parking stalls and a range of resident amenities. “This building will be the tallest within the city,” Ryan said during his presentation, estimating the tower’s top at roughly 300–312 feet above average grade and noting the site sits at a lower elevation than existing downtown towers.

The O’Neil Group and Vela Development Partners presented the project. Andy Merritt, chief strategy officer for the O’Neil Group, said the developer’s aim is to provide a housing product that…