Chipotle moving into Denver’s forthcoming 1144 Fifteenth tower

Denver’s newest skyscraper will be home to one of the city’s most recognizable home-grown businesses by the end of next year.

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Wednesday that it has a signed a 15-year lease to house its corporate headquarters in the nearly finished 1144 Fifteenth building at 1144 15th St. downtown beginning in late 2018.

The fast casual Mexican food chain, operating more than 2,350 restaurants worldwide, currently does its corporate business out of offices in buildings at 1401 Wynkoop St. and 1515 Wynkoop St., according to a news release. It will move into about 126,000 square feet of space on five floors of the 40-story 1144 Fifteenth tower, bringing all of its 450 HQ employees under one roof.

“Chipotle first started in Denver almost 25 years ago as a single restaurant on Evans Avenue across from the University of Denver,” company founder, chairman and CEO Steve Ells said in the release. “Our roots are here, and this contemporary, collaborative and modern space will position us to look ahead to the next 25 years.”

Chipotle last month launched a national search for a new CEO as Ells prepares to step down and move into a role as executive chairman.

The tower, located at the corner of 15th and Arapahoe streets, is being developed and managed by Hines.

The company broke ground on the project in the summer of 2015. When it officially opens early next year, the 603-foot structure will be the fourth-tallest building in Denver, so long as you don’t count the spire on the neighboring Four Seasons Hotel and Residences.

The Chipotle announcement comes about a month after investment management firm Unicom Capital LLC announced it has leased the building’s top floor for its Denver headquarters.