The Italian restaurant Carmine’s on Penn is the latest business to sign on for retail space in Lower Downtown’s McGregor Square, a multiyear development project set to open this spring.

The new restaurant, expected to open within the next two months, will be Carmine’s on Penn’s second location, in addition to its long-standing space at 92 S. Pennsylvania St. in Denver’s Speer neighborhood.

“Over the years, I have looked at many growth opportunities and McGregor Square was too good to pass up,” said owner Brad Ritter. “Great location, right in the middle of the Ballpark action – a perfect spot for our new location.”

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McGregor Square, across the street from Coors Field, includes three towers that will house luxury condos, a hotel, office space and numerous shops and restaurants.

Carmine’s on Penn joins future tenants the Bank of Colorado, Flowers on the Vine, Tattered Cover, Starbucks, Tom’s Watch Bar, the Rally Hotel and Rock Fitness, in addition to Lewis Roca LLP and Red Canary computer security offices.

“Our goal with McGregor Square was always to procure a great cross-section of the best restaurants Coloradans have come to love, Carmine’s checks all the boxes,” said Dick Monfort, developer of McGregor Square.

Ritter said the new restaurant location will follow the same traditions and cuisines as the original, including a chalkboard menu, murals by local artists and butcher block paper table covers for drawing.

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The restaurant will also feature the full all-Italian wine list and same highly-trained waitstaff directed to interact with guests and describe all menu items. 

Carmine’s on Penn opened in Denver in 1994, transferring ownership to Ritter in 2008. The restaurant is Italian family-style, based on the cuisine of Italian immigrants who settled in the east coat in the 1800s.

McGregor Square began opening in February, allowing condo residents to move in. The hotel and retail space are scheduled to open in March or April. Office tenants will move in beginning in June.