Design Inspiration:
When we first secured the real estate for Grasslands HQ in late-2019, we knew we were going to build an airy, art-filled nontraditional office space for our team, first and foremost—and also a gathering space for our communities.
We wanted a physical space that would inspire our colleagues to do the world-class marketing and PR work Grasslands has become known for, and that’s where our central design thesis emerged: Mid-Century Mexico City. We ourselves were so inspired by our travels throughout the interior of Mexico, from the unabashed stateliness of Guadalajara to the ancient cultural significance of Oaxaca to the mad aesthetic melting pot of Mexico City—and we hoped to channel these singular points of view into an old 5,000-square-foot nightclub-brothel that sits squarely in one of Denver’s most historic Latino / Indigenous neighborhoods, a vibrant slice of Baker known as the Art District on Santa Fe.
Working with respected architect-design duo Taylor and Betsy Hawley—also longtime friends and collaborators of ours—we created an intentional space that has quickly become a community hub for all things Grasslands. It is the home of the fine art festival Biome: A Queen City Biennial and has hosted fundraisers for Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and other political and social causes we align with.
It’s our honor to share this space with our clients, friends, partners and collaborators—and we do so under the watchful eye of Un Abrazo, a 26-foot-long mural we commissioned in 2019 that reminds us all that we live (and work) on stolen land.
Respectfully,
Ricardo and Melana Baca
Grasslands HQ
-Taylor Hawley
Wanted: ‘Small Business Roommate’ to Join Grasslands at Our Denver HQ
Because Going to the Office Doesn’t Have to Suck
Is your Colorado business (10-20 FTEs) looking for a vibey, professional office space in central Denver? PR and marketing agency Grasslands is looking for a values-aligned “professional roommate” to share office space with their Denver-based colleagues at their art-filled offices in Denver’s historic Baker neighborhood.
The ideal “small business roommate” would have 10-20 Denver-based colleagues to share a 5,000-square-foot office space with a creative group of professionals—and you can learn more about our ideal partner below. (Note: Grasslands is not currently open to individual co-working options.)
Who is Grasslands? Clio-winning PR and marketing agency Grasslands—the creator of Buy Colorado Day—is a purpose-driven business representing clients across the U.S., Latin America and Europe. We are journalism-minded. We foster a culture of accountability. And we live by our core values:
- Go for it
- Hold your own
- Sweat the details
- Figure it out
- Share the win
- Over-the-top hospitality
As our agency has flexed up-and-down and hired more full-time colleagues outside of Colorado over the years, we’ve found ourselves with two extra pods of 12 (total) stand-up desks, multiple hoteling spaces and lobbies, and an extra-large private office in our recently remodeled office; Thus our search for a professional roommate to join us in at our airy offices at 100 Santa Fe Drive in Baker (7 blocks from Snooze / Punch Bowl Social / Hornet).
Check out the photos / videos / writings on this page to learn more about what our office looks and feels like.
Depending on our future professional roommate’s specific staff size / needs, they could have a dedicated lease on:
- Up to 12 bamboo stand-up desks, situated in two pods on an open work floor
- One extra-large private office, outfitted with two stand-up desks
Our future professional roommate will have shared access to:
- A large, glass-wall conference room, with Owl-TV set-up for videoconferencing, extra-long glass board and seating for 14+
- A small conference room, with TV set-up for videoconferencing and seating for 4
- Parking lot for 16+ cars, with plenty of adjacent street parking
- Two separate hoteling areas, with seating for 12+
- Two separate lobbies, with seating for 10+
- Three bathrooms
- On-site storage space
- An arty neighborhood that is stacked with cool restaurants, coffeeshops, bars and breweries—who we love to support
- Business-grade wifi, coffee-and-tea makings, bicycle rack, trash and recycling, keyless entry, dishwasher, and more amenities included
Grasslands leadership will interview all serious applicants, and we will remove this copy once we’ve found the right partner—so if you’re seeing this, we are still conducting interviews.
Speaking of, our ideal professional roommate candidates will be:
- A small business of any kind, with 10-20 colleagues who want to be able to work together in Denver
- Respectful professionals who are committed to a fun, safe and tidy work environment
- Like-minded humans who are interested in sharing an office space with other outstanding people
- Thoughtful peers who are open to leaning into the office’s original purpose, which is to inspire bold and courageous work
- Open-minded colleagues who are jazzed their office space also doubles as the home to fine art festival Biome and a world-famous mezcal collection
- Aligned people who appreciate intentional design, gallery-like modernism and unparalleled office vibes
The above one-year lease starts at $3,000 / month and will scale based on the business’ needs. Ready to learn more? Email Grasslands Founder & CEO Ricardo Baca at ricardo@mygrasslands.com to set up an in-person interview. Serious inquiries only please.
Designer Statement:
From the moment we first entered the building at 1st and Santa Fe, we knew it was going to be a unique project. The abandoned Denver nightclub had a rich history, and with every wall panel we took down, we uncovered more of it. Representing the cultural history of the building and the spirit of the Art District on Santa Fe where it resides was central to the design of the project.
Ricardo and Melana had a vision for the Grasslands HQ that was anything but a corporate headquarters. With every space we looked for ways to integrate moments of surprise and meaning. From the custom chimenea in "Orlie's Lounge" to the immersive color and pattern within the bathrooms, every detail was considered for its experiential qualities. We wanted employees and visitors to feel a sense of thoughtfulness and joy when they walked through the doors.
Now that the space is open, to see how easily it transitions from a productive, team-centric workplace to a vibrant event space where the community comes together for local bands, art biennials and civic conversation is very gratifying. We look forward to seeing what Grasslands and its partners will do with their new home base!
—Betsy Hawley
Architect Statement:
Walking into Grasslands HQ today, it's hard to believe the post-World War II mercantile building was previously the longtime home to a popular Latin nightclub. After exposing over 60 square feet of walled-over existing windows, we were able to see and feel the building's inherent qualities.
Under multiple layers of dated flooring and faded velvet wallpaper, we found beautiful textures of concrete and masonry. The space was destined for Ricardo and Melana's brilliant Mid-Century Mexico City vision. Vibrant colors, materials and textures work together to define immersive moments that invite nostalgia and curiosity.
Now that time has passed and the Grasslands team has evolved and developed, it's even more fulfilling to see the space grow into a center of culture and community. Collaborating with Ricardo, Melana and my wife Betsy on this project was an unforgettable adventure—and it is evident in every square inch of the Grasslands HQ.
—Taylor Hawley