The development also introduced an open-air plaza with concessions and leasable space, creating a seamless and highly functional connection to the Jeppesen Terminal. S. A. Miro, Inc. served as Engineer of Record for the transit center, concourse, and hotel, delivering a cohesive structural design aligned with the program’s vision as a signature addition to one of the nation’s busiest airports.
The hotel was conceived as a destination for modern travelers, offering an urban-inspired experience with amenities tailored to contemporary expectations. Its lobby establishes a strong visual and spatial connection between architecture and infrastructure, with views extending through the train station toward the city and the Rocky Mountains. The structural system consists of a two-way post-tensioned concrete slab supported by slender columns strategically integrated within room demising walls, maximizing efficiency without compromising architectural intent. Lateral forces are resisted by reinforced concrete shear walls located at stair and elevator cores. A key engineering challenge involved the design and coordination of large transfer girders, which support upper-level columns over expansive ballroom and pre-function spaces, requiring precise alignment between structural demands and architectural openness.
A defining element of the project is the plaza canopy, a striking structural feature that extends into the hotel lobby to create a continuous ceiling plane, reinforcing the integration between exterior public space and interior environment. The canopy required resolution of complex connection detailing, accommodation of an accelerated construction schedule, and advanced structural analysis to address extreme loading scenarios, including a potential train fire event. Successful delivery depended on close collaboration among the multidisciplinary team, including architects, steel detailers, fabricators, and erectors. To support construction sequencing and maintain structural stability during erection, the engineering team developed a comprehensive assembly strategy, complemented by a custom animation illustrating shoring and erection procedures.
In addition to its role on the South Terminal Redevelopment Program, S. A. Miro, Inc. also served as Engineer of Record for the airport’s original landside terminal, parking garages, and curbside facilities. This longstanding involvement brought continuity, institutional knowledge, and proven technical expertise to a complex, high-profile expansion, reinforcing the firm’s role as a trusted partner in the ongoing evolution of Denver International Airport.
