Furthering its commitment to the Denver market, Oak View Group (OVG) recently announced a collaboration with noted culinary expert Christian Navarro, Edgewood Real Estate Investment Trust, and entrepreneurs Lee Ann and Mark Van Loucks, to create Golden Oak, a state-of-the-art restaurant and culinary academy, in Penterra Plaza located in the Denver Tech Center.
Oak View Group, a global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster of public assembly facilities around the world, relocated its global headquarters to Denver last summer.
Offering a unique blend of culinary excellence, innovative design, and community spirit, Golden Oak is set to become a lifestyle destination for culinary, wine and spirits enthusiasts. The approximately 9,600-square foot restaurant, slated to open in early 2025, will be led by a renowned group of food and wine experts dedicated to crafting a memorable dining experience.
“Our vision is to create a space where food is experienced,” said Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group. “We aim to ignite a sense of wonder in our guests with each dish and position Golden Oak as a desired destination for those seeking culinary adventure. Golden Oak is set to become a landmark project that encapsulates our commitment to excellence, innovation, and education.”
Lee Ann and Mark Van Loucks, long-time residents of the Penterra Plaza condominiums, began negotiations with the building’s developer over a year ago, and closed on the space last August, along with their partner, Edgewood Real Estate Investment Trust. The condominiums are part of a broader mixed-use condo, office and retail development at Penterra Plaza. Mark will serve as the project manager for the landlord partnership.
“We spent several months interviewing interested companies, and I’m so glad we found Christian and Oak View Group,” said Lee Ann Van Loucks. “This is our home, and I wanted a dining experience that our neighbors and the Denver community would be proud of. Christian is certainly one of the most creative people I’ve met, and I’m excited to support him and Oak View Group in this venture.”
Golden Oak's interior design will reflect the natural beauty of Colorado, with elements of wood, stone, and greenery that create a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere. The dining space is designed to be adaptable, offering a lively bar scene, two outdoor patios, and a private dining space named “The Oak Room.”
The restaurant at Golden Oak promises an unparalleled dining experience, featuring a menu of fresh seasonal cuisine from around the globe, masterfully prepared under the guidance of Navarro’s executive chef Ryan Kluver. Famed wine expert Navarro will ensure Golden Oak serves the finest selection of premium wines and spirits, offering rare and exquisite pairings that elevate each dish to a sublime culinary delight. The restaurant, like every other OVG endeavor, is committed to sustainability, showcasing a menu that evolves with the seasons to ensure that every ingredient is at its peak of freshness and flavor.
Christian Navarro added, “Golden Oak represents a dream come true for me. It’s an opportunity to share my passion for food and wine with others. We aim to create an environment that celebrates the joy of cooking, the art of wine selection, and the beauty of sharing a meal.”
The culinary academy represents Oak View Group’s visionary approach to evolving the hospitality experience at its portfolio of venues around the world. A full-service open kitchen will be paired with a test kitchen allowing chefs and operators to train, experiment, and collaborate with the goal of perfecting premium hospitality offerings. New food items will be tested in the live restaurant environment for possible inclusion on menus at select Oak View Group properties.
Chris Granger, President of OVG360 said, “In addition to testing new menu items, our culinary academy affords us the opportunity to develop new talent and further establish the powerful OVG culture within our hospitality business with a hands-on approach. It is equally important to us to consistently offer great food, imaginative experiences, and first-rate customer service.”
Oak View Group also plans to partner with local Colorado universities for internships and apprenticeships in both hospitality and business.