A 30-foot tall, 22,000-pound giant rhino statue has marked a significant milestone at Denargo Market, a sprawling 17-acre mixed-use development in Denver’s RiNo Art District located at 29th Street and Arkins Court.
This impressive statue, known as the Denargo Rhino, is the first public art installation on the site, symbolizing the ongoing efforts to transform the area into a dynamic destination.
Sean Campbell, CEO of FORMATIV, expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, stating, “Before full buildout of the entire 17-acre site, we want people to feel like Denargo Market is a destination worth visiting.”
He emphasized that the rhino represents a commitment to prioritizing public elements that encourage community interaction, saying, “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, and integrated lighting, set against a backdrop of birdhouses and other surrounding elements.
While the statue has yet to open for climbing, it will be accessible later this summer, having been envisioned by landscape architect Sasaki in collaboration with developers Golub & Co. and FORMATIV.
Fabrication was executed by local companies JunoWorks and Eldorado Climbing Walls, with engineering support from Craft Engineering Studio.
The new rhino statue has already generated buzz, with users on Reddit humorously recognizing it as one of the area’s apex predators.
However, some commentators questioned why the sculpture did not adopt blue coloring to align with other iconic installations such as “Blucifer,” the 32-foot blue mustang near Denver International Airport, and the 40-foot blue bear that gazes into the convention center.
To further engage the community, Golub & Co. and FORMATIV have initiated a public naming campaign for the giant rhino.
The “Name the Rhino” initiative invites the public to submit their name ideas until Thursday, June 5.
Once submissions are collected, a selection of finalists will be made public, allowing for community voting on the preferred name, with the winner to be unveiled during a special event featuring Denver City Councilman Darrell Watson on June 12.
Laura Newman, vice president of investment & development at Golub & Co., shared her excitement about the participation opportunity, stating, “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.”
She also conveyed the project’s vision, adding, “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.”
Denargo Market is situated along the South Platte riverfront just north of Downtown Denver and is zoned for an expansive development totaling 3 million square feet, which includes residential, retail, office, and hospitality spaces, as well as public art installations.
Plans for the site also include over 1,000 for-rent residential units and 4 acres dedicated to public open spaces, including sports courts, nature-based play areas, community gardens, and a revamped dog park.
Infrastructure and public park constructions commenced in September 2023, and a completed 56-unit affordable housing community has since been established alongside the sport courts and dog park.
By the third quarter of this year, it is expected that substantial developments in public realm improvements, including art installations and community gathering spaces, will be finalized.
Investment in the project has reached $190 million, leading to an estimated revenue of $50 million for the City and County of Denver throughout the construction phase.
Previously, this site was the home of Denver’s largest food market, which supported over 500 grower stands, until a devastating four-alarm fire in July 1971 left it largely industrial and vacant.
image source from：https://www.denverpost.com/2025/05/31/denargo-market-rhino-statue-art/
