Development Potential Abounds as Pepsi Sells 30-Acre Site in Denver's RiNo Neighborhood

The potential sale of a site currently home to a massive Pepsi bottling facility would be the latest in a series of large real estate moves in the trendy River North Art District, also known as RiNo.

1 minute read

July 18, 2021, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Quiet, mostly empty streets in the RiNo District during Covid-19 stay at home order. River North Arts District

The River North Arts District during the quiet of the pandemic staty-at-home orders in April 2020. | jenlo8 / Shutterstock

A massive Pepsi bottling facility in Denver is for sale," reports Thomas Gounley. The 29.9-acre site is located in the River North Art District, or RiNo, in Denver. PepsiCo has hired CBRE to market the property, using the speculative term "RiNo's landing." The development potential of the city is already substantial, according to the city's zoning code and given its proximity to Regional Transportation District (RTD) service.

"The site is currently zoned for industrial use. It is a short walk from RTD’s 38th and Blake station. A zoning overlay district established by the city around the station allows for redevelopment up to 12 stories on Pepsi’s property if certain requirements are met. The property is also within a federally-designed opportunity zone."

Pepsi has already been selling off land in the area, adds Gunley, as have other large property holders in the area. In 2019, "Pepsi sold two large parking lots across the street from the bottling facility, totaling 3.77 acres, for $36 million. Days later, in the Denargo Market section of RiNo, 13 largely undeveloped acres sold for $86 million. And in December of that year, McWhinney paid $20 million for 2.56 acres next to Great Divide Brewing."

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in BusinessDen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Silhouette of man holding on to back of bicycle ridden by woman with Eiffel Tower in background.

Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution

The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.

5 hours ago - Momentum Magazine

Multifamily housing under construction.

Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas

Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.

6 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Western coyote looking at camera in grassy field.

San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes

San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

7 hours ago - Fox 5