The 9,000 square-foot warehouse at 445 South Broadway was empty for years, but that's all about to change. The building is now the home of IGNITRR, a collaborative work space and incubator that is in the midst of getting a colorful graffiti makeover from seven of Denver’s talented graffiti artists. The high ceilings leak light through the skylights, leaving patches of sunlight on the concrete floor alongside paint, dust and debris, and illuminating the art-in-progress that will one day fill the warehouse walls.
Founders Dean Haritos and Brock Predovich have created IGNITRR to help entrepreneurs looking for affordable space in the heart of Denver. The collaborative concept has become popular across the country with start-ups, artists and creative companies; Predovich says this particular project will be high-energy and visually inspiring. Translucent dividers in the center of the room will etch out the rental spaces and still allow views of the art. IGNITRR will initially charge reduced monthly rates, starting at $499 for dedicated desk, $999 small office, $1499 medium, $1999 large office.The seven graff artists enlivening the warehouse walls are professionals at their game, no longer needing to tag unsanctioned spots as businesses prove willing to pay for their work. The art is being curated by Phero, and the entire space collaboratively envisioned and painted by artists Phero, Jive, Jher, Eaks, Sme, Vella and Bits. While most artists are Colorado natives, whose work you can see spread around the Mile High, Phero is a transplant who moved to Denver just eight months ago (catch more work by Phero on the south-facing wall of the Molecule Effect at 1201 Santa Fe Drive).   While each artist displays their own unique style — in coloring, lettering and even three-dimensional effects — IGNITRR's founders as well as the commissioned artists emphasize their collaborative effort. "We really wanted to focus on the group effort of all the artists coming together to make this amazing thing happen," Predovich explains, "To Dean and I, graffiti is not only beautiful but has always been a voice of change and a voice of revolution. Having graffiti canvas our walls is such a natural fit for the revolution we're building here."As a self-proclaimed "work space for rebels," IGNITRR is a perfect fit for the rough, beautiful and inspirational aesthetic of the graffiti artists. And if the art, the space, coffee and Wifi aren't enough, IGNITRR will also offer tenants a working business relationship and mentorship with industry veterans. Predovich says they aim to open IGNITRR's doors the first week of July; find out more about the company here.