Denver’s 16th Street, known for more than four decades as the 16th Street Mall, is the 1.2-mile pedestrian and transit promenade that runs through the heart of downtown. Reborn in 2025 after a $176 million makeover, it links Union Station and LoDo with the Capitol Hill end of downtown, lined with trees, patios, shops, historic buildings and new play spaces.

The original 16th Street Mall opened on Oct. 4, 1982, designed by I.M. Pei’s firm with a granite paving pattern inspired by a Navajo rug and the skin of a diamondback rattlesnake. Exactly 43 years later, on Oct. 4, 2025, the city celebrated the completion of a three-year project that rebuilt 13 blocks from Market Street to Broadway. More than 950,000 new hand-laid granite pavers honor the original pattern, transit lanes moved to the center to create wider sidewalks, and over 200 new trees were planted. The corridor also dropped the word Mall from its name and is now simply 16th Street.

Hop on the free MallRide bus, which runs the length of the street, or walk it to see landmarks like the 1910 Daniels & Fisher Tower, once the tallest building in Denver, along with interactive kiosks, the Aspen Light art installation at Glenarm Plaza and climbable play features such as The Nest and Howdy Trouty. At the north end, explore Union Station, then wander a block over to the restaurants and twinkling lights of Larimer Square.

Note: most gallery photos below were taken before the 2022-2025 renovation and are labeled with their years where known; the final black-and-white photo shows the renovated street.

One year after its grand reopening, 16th Street hosts free programming throughout the year, and the holiday season brings the 9NEWS Parade of Lights to downtown Denver in early December. Check downtowndenver.com for events, and RTD for current MallRide schedules.