Equitable Building - Boiler

Columbine Engineering was selected by Braconier as the mechanical design partner for this design‑build project. The Equitable Building, constructed in 1892, is one of the oldest and most historically significant structures in Downtown Denver. For more than 130 years, the building relied on the District Steam system to provide heating. However, as steam utility costs rose sharply over the past decade, the building ownership sought a more cost‑effective and sustainable long‑term solution by transitioning away from district steam and toward an on‑site heating plant. In collaboration with Braconier, Columbine Engineering developed the design for a new gas‑fired boiler plant to serve the facility. Integrating modern mechanical infrastructure into a 130‑year‑old building presented numerous spatial and structural challenges. After evaluating several installation approaches, the project team determined that a pre‑fabricated rooftop boiler plant offered the most efficient and least disruptive solution. This project was both technically demanding and rewarding, ultimately delivering a reliable, modern heating system that positions this historic building for many more decades of dependable operation.