On Tuesday, May 20, Intermountain Health announced its selection of Colorado development firm E5X as the buyer for the approximately 100-acre parcel that was home to Lutheran Hospital for more than 100 years. Intermountain Health moved hospital operations to a new campus in August 2024.
E5X Management, Inc., headquartered in Centennial, is a leading real estate development firm with more than three decades of experience specializing in mixed-use, master-planned communities throughout the Denver metro area. With a strong focus on sustainable design and community-centered planning, E5X delivers thoughtfully crafted communities ranging in size from 10 to over 3,000 acres.
“The sale of the Legacy Lutheran Medical Center campus is a testament to Intermountain Health’s unwavering dedication to serving the Wheat Ridge community, which it has done for more than 120 years,” said Intermountain Health Front Range Market President Scott Peek. “This significant step in the redevelopment of the Legacy campus aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance community well-being through thoughtful and strategic decisions.”
The chosen developer, E5X, mirrors Intermountain Health’s commitment to community well-being, said Chad Moynahan, Intermountain Health region director of real estate.
“Their collaborative approach, in concert with the master plan adopted by the Wheat Ridge City Council in 2021, ensures that our mutual goal of fostering community health and prosperity will be realized,” Moynahan said.
The Wheat Ridge master plan document, written with deep community involvement, provides a robust framework for future development and communicates the community’s expectations to prospective development partners, ensuring that future development aligns with its aspirations.
E5X’s previous projects, including Parkdale in Erie and Tanterra in Parker, primarily feature residential components, including single-family detached homes, townhomes, and multi-family residences complemented by integrated commercial, office, and other compatible land uses. Each community is designed to support vibrant, livable neighborhoods and typically includes schools, parks, recreational facilities, and generous open space.
Chris Elliott, principal of E5X, said the firm is dedicated to shaping places where people thrive, creating enduring communities that balance innovation and functionality and exude a strong sense of place.
Elliott highlighted E5X’s commitment to key expectations in the master plan that include:
• Perimeter Buffer and Transition: The city prioritizes a buffer and transition zone along the property’s perimeter to ensure compatibility with surrounding areas.
• Interior Flexibility: Greater flexibility is permitted within the property’s interior, allowing for innovative and diverse uses.
• Integration of Existing Assets: Developers are encouraged to explore ways to incorporate existing assets into the new development, preserving the legacy while fostering growth.
Intermountain Health used a comprehensive Request for Proposal process to gauge interest from the developer community.
“After thoroughly evaluating 10 distinct proposals, we finalized terms and conditions and are under a contract to sell the property to E5X,” Moynahan said. “This ensures that redevelopment will be handled by a team dedicated to the community’s well-being.”
Elliott said the redevelopment plan focuses on protecting cherished community assets like the Blue House and the chapel that currently stand on the Lutheran site. Additionally, the plan frees land for parks, trails, plazas, and walkable spaces, ensuring that they serve the community’s recreational and social needs.
“The development will strictly adhere to the master plan and zoning regulations established,” Elliott added. “Our goal is to make sure we harmonize with the surrounding community’s character and needs.”
The plan includes low building heights next to homes (30 feet) and allows five-story buildings (70 feet) in the center, shorter than the existing hospital. Implementing the 2021 community-created Master Plan reinforces our dedication to the community’s vision.
Jansen Tidmore, president and CEO of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, highlighted some of the economic benefits anticipated from the redevelopment of the Legacy Lutheran campus. The redevelopment is poised to support Wheat Ridge’s economic fabric significantly. The tax revenue generated from redevelopment will be pivotal in funding essential community services and infrastructure, further enhancing the quality of life for Wheat Ridge residents.
E5X and Intermountain Health said they were committed to maintaining transparent and open communications with the community leading up to the final sale of the property so stakeholders are informed and can share feedback.
To learn more about E5X, visit https://www.e5xmanagement.com/ . To stay informed about the redevelopment project, visit Lutheran Legacy Campus | What’s Up Wheat Ridge.
