Chris Waggett, left, has been CEO of Denver-based D4 Urban. Dan Cohen, right, is taking over the job. (Courtesy D4 Urban)
A new CEO is assuming leadership of the firm behind Broadway Park, a retail site in Denver’s Baker neighborhood that is gradually being redeveloped to add density.
Dan Cohen is becoming CEO of D4 Urban, replacing Chris Waggett, who had been CEO and operating partner since he helped start the firm in early 2011.
Cohen, 42, had already been working at D4 Urban with the title of development manager.
“Dan Cohen has been my wingman for the last 14 years,” Waggett told BusinessDen.
In addition to leaving the firm, Waggett said he is selling his partnership interests.
D4 Urban was founded by Waggett along with Jim Frank and Warren Cohen, who is Dan’s father.
When the firm launched, Cohen and Frank had already assembled about 60 acres at the southwest corner of Broadway and Alameda Avenue. It features large parking lots and retailers such as Safeway and Sam’s Club, as well as the area known as the Denver Design District, a collection of showrooms. D4 stands for Denver Design District Development.
Waggett negotiated the purchase of additional land from the Regional Transportation District and brought the site to about 75 acres. D4 developed one apartment complex on its own but has otherwise functioned largely as a master developer, selling land to Emich Volkswagen, Kum & Go and Chicago-based AMLI Residential, which built an apartment complex.
In an email, Cohen said Broadway Park has a “stable and eclectic mix of tenancies.”
“We look forward to continuing to find ways to improve the circumstances that have allowed these tenants to be successful in this location for multiple decades,” Cohen said. “And of course, we will also remain focused on creating new development opportunities within Broadway Park as it evolves over time and as appropriate.”
Cohen, who was born and raised in the Denver area, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin who served in the Peace Corps, according to his bio on the D4 Urban website.
Waggett noted that he was brought on as CEO by two families.
“Now the families, as is their right, are moving in a new direction … It’s a good thing for everybody,” he said.
Waggett, 61, moved to Denver in 2006 as an executive with the Australian real estate firm Lendlease. He said he expects to spend some months mountain biking, driving his Lotus and skiing while considering his next career move.
Asked if he is considering roles outside Denver, he said, “Nothing is off the table.”
“It’s kind of the capstone to my career,” he said of his next act.
Chris Waggett, left, has been CEO of Denver-based D4 Urban. Dan Cohen, right, is taking over the job. (Courtesy D4 Urban)
A new CEO is assuming leadership of the firm behind Broadway Park, a retail site in Denver’s Baker neighborhood that is gradually being redeveloped to add density.
Dan Cohen is becoming CEO of D4 Urban, replacing Chris Waggett, who had been CEO and operating partner since he helped start the firm in early 2011.
Cohen, 42, had already been working at D4 Urban with the title of development manager.
“Dan Cohen has been my wingman for the last 14 years,” Waggett told BusinessDen.
In addition to leaving the firm, Waggett said he is selling his partnership interests.
D4 Urban was founded by Waggett along with Jim Frank and Warren Cohen, who is Dan’s father.
When the firm launched, Cohen and Frank had already assembled about 60 acres at the southwest corner of Broadway and Alameda Avenue. It features large parking lots and retailers such as Safeway and Sam’s Club, as well as the area known as the Denver Design District, a collection of showrooms. D4 stands for Denver Design District Development.
Waggett negotiated the purchase of additional land from the Regional Transportation District and brought the site to about 75 acres. D4 developed one apartment complex on its own but has otherwise functioned largely as a master developer, selling land to Emich Volkswagen, Kum & Go and Chicago-based AMLI Residential, which built an apartment complex.
In an email, Cohen said Broadway Park has a “stable and eclectic mix of tenancies.”
“We look forward to continuing to find ways to improve the circumstances that have allowed these tenants to be successful in this location for multiple decades,” Cohen said. “And of course, we will also remain focused on creating new development opportunities within Broadway Park as it evolves over time and as appropriate.”
Cohen, who was born and raised in the Denver area, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin who served in the Peace Corps, according to his bio on the D4 Urban website.
Waggett noted that he was brought on as CEO by two families.
“Now the families, as is their right, are moving in a new direction … It’s a good thing for everybody,” he said.
Waggett, 61, moved to Denver in 2006 as an executive with the Australian real estate firm Lendlease. He said he expects to spend some months mountain biking, driving his Lotus and skiing while considering his next career move.
Asked if he is considering roles outside Denver, he said, “Nothing is off the table.”
“It’s kind of the capstone to my career,” he said of his next act.
