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By Daniel Orton and Theo Burman
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The builders behind Denver's tallest condominium development in over a decade are assuring the public there is "no risk whatsoever" to the building's safety following allegations that a subcontractor removed critical concrete supports, prompting fears of a potential collapse.
"Recently, a subcontractor engaged on the Upton Residences site was found not to be meeting our high construction standards," Steve Featherston, vice president of construction and development at Amacon, the project's Canadian general contractor, said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "We want to reassure the community that the Upton Residences remains a safe, secure, and successful development."
Featherston said that construction is continuing with "strong oversight" and called the two-tower complex "a landmark addition to downtown Denver."
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The statement follows a court order issued last week that barred the subcontractor, GCon, from the site, first reported by BusinessDen.
Newsweek reached out to GCon for comment via email outside normal working hours.
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Why It Matters
The Upton Residences, a 461-unit development spanning two towers of 38 and 32 stories, is the largest condominium project in Denver since 2009. Units are already being sold ahead of a planned 2026 opening.
The collapse of a high-rise construction in an urban environment would be catastrophic, potentially causing a mass casualty event.
What To Know
GCon was hired in 2022 under a $16 million contract. In May of this year, GCon stopped work and left the site on August 6, taking with it what Amacon described as essential support equipment, including the bracing that stabilized an upper floor and the reshore system beneath concrete slabs.
Denver District Judge Bruce Jones, who presided over an August 19 hearing, acknowledged the seriousness of the safety claims.
"The one time that I think a judge is taught to consider a temporary restraining order is when somebody is saying that a building's going to fall down," he said, according to BusinessDen.
Amacon alleged that the removals led to cracking in the level beneath one of the towers' upper floors, roughly 400 feet above the city's core.
"This is an emergency," Amacon attorney Kirsten Kube told the court. "This is a building that needs to be secure."
Ryan Williams, GCon's attorney, denied the company acted recklessly, stating that any removals occurred "in coordination with Amacon's local representatives." He also said there were no current plans to retrieve additional materials.
Still, Amacon claimed in court that one GCon executive vowed on August 7 to continue removing equipment, and that another was denied access to the site five days later. That executive has since been seen nearby, according to the firm.
What People Are Saying
Judge Bruce Jones warned GCon executives to take the order seriously: "If I say 'thou shalt not,' you better not, because then you're subject to the potential of contempt. Only my spouse gets to ignore my word with impunity."
Amacon, in an emergency request for a temporary restraining order that it filed August 15: "GCon is only thinking of itself, acting out without thought just to make a point...GCon has put at risk the lives of all personnel on site at the project as well as the general public."
What Happens Next
GCon has agreed to stay away from the site indefinitely while Amacon's $10 million lawsuit proceeds. The suit seeks damages for breach of contract, alleged construction defects, and delays in project delivery.
Update 08/27/2025, 4:31 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information
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