A giant rhino statue has been spotted at 29th Street and Arkins Court, signaling new activity at Denargo Market, a 17-acre mixed-use development in Denver’s RiNo Art District.
Standing 30 feet tall and weighing 22,000 pounds, the Denargo Rhino is the first piece of public art to arrive on the site.
“Before full buildout of the entire 17-acre site, we want people to feel like Denargo Market is a destination worth visiting,” said Sean Campbell, CEO of FORMATIV.
“The rhino is our first big step in prioritizing public elements for Denverites to interact with. Whether you’re climbing its sides, snapping a photo, or exploring our new parks and river activation, the rhino will welcome you to Denargo Market as a landmark that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Constructed from weatherized steel, the rhino features all-weather climbable panels, custom paint, lighting and surrounding elements like birdhouses.
The climbable statue, which won’t actually be climbable until later this summer, was envisioned by Denargo’s landscape architect Sasaki, in collaboration with developers Golub & Co. and FORMATIV.
It was brought to life by area fabricators JunoWorks and Eldorado Climbing Walls, with engineering support by Craft Engineering Studio.
While impressive, the Denargo Rhino is really just a baby compared to “Blucifer,” the 32-foot-tall blue mustang sporting red glowing eyes near Denver International Airport, and the 40-foot blue bear sculpture that peers into the convention center.
Online Reddit users have already welcomed the Rhino as one of the area’s apex predators, though some have questioned why it isn’t painted all blue to match its fellow titans. Golub & Co. and FORMATIV have launched a public naming campaign for the towering rhino sculpture.
As part of the “Name the Rhino” campaign, the public is invited to submit name ideas through Thursday, June 5.
Finalists will be selected shortly after, and the public will have a chance to vote on their favorites with the winning name announced during an unveiling event with Denver City Councilman Darrell Watson on June 12.
“We’re so excited to invite the community to be part of this story and help us give this iconic rhino a name that reflects the character and creativity of Denver,” said Laura Newman, vice president of investment & development at Golub & Co.
“Our goal with both the rhino and the public realm was to create a true sense of place here at Denargo Market, and we hope this becomes a beloved landmark for neighbors, families and visitors.”
Spread across the South Platte riverfront just north of Downtown Denver, Denargo Market is zoned to offer 3 million square feet of development, including residential, retail, office and hospitality spaces, public art and more.
The site will also feature over 1,000 for-rent residential units and 4 acres of public open spaces, anchored by sport courts, nature-based play, community gardens and a revitalized dog park.
Construction of infrastructure and public parks began in September 2023. Since then, the project has completed a 56-unit affordable housing community, the sport courts and the dog park, according to a project brochure.
By the third quarter of this year, 4 acres of public realm improvements, including art installations and community spaces, will be completed.
To date, $190 million has been invested in the development, generating an estimated $50 million in revenue for the City and County of Denver during construction.
The site was formerly home to Denver’s largest food market, housing more than 500 grower stands. However, in July 1971, a four-alarm fire destroyed the market and the site became largely industrial and vacant.
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