IKEA Centennial

Pioneering sustainable retail through innovative energy systems and large-scale destination shopping.

KEA Centennial set a new benchmark for sustainable retail development as the first IKEA store in the United States to incorporate a geothermal heating and cooling system. Completed nearly three months ahead of schedule, the project combines large-scale retail operations with innovative environmental technologies designed to reduce energy consumption and support long-term sustainability goals.

The 415,000-square-foot facility includes a retail showroom, warehouse, supervised children’s play area, and a 500-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties. Supporting the destination retail experience is a 1,500-space parking structure designed to accommodate high customer volumes while providing convenient access to the store.

A defining feature of the project is its geothermal energy system, one of the largest of its kind in the United States at the time of construction. The system required drilling 130 wells, each approximately 500 feet deep, to create an underground network of heat-transfer loops. By utilizing the earth’s stable temperatures, the system efficiently provides both heating and cooling for the building, significantly reducing energy demand.

The project also incorporates a 60,000-square-foot rooftop solar array consisting of 2,212 photovoltaic panels with a generating capacity of 498 kilowatts. The system is capable of producing approximately 740,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, helping offset energy consumption and reduce the facility’s environmental footprint.

By combining renewable energy technologies with efficient building operations and a world-class retail experience, IKEA Centennial demonstrates how large-scale commercial developments can successfully integrate sustainability, innovation, and customer-focused design. The result is a landmark retail destination that serves both the community and the environment for years to come.

This project received multiple industry awards, including:

• 2011 ACE Award for Project of the Year over $60 Million from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado
• 2011 Top Commercial Real Estate Project for Annual Women of Influence Awards from Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
• 2011 Best Retail/Mixed-Use Development Project Award from Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mountain States
• Youth Commission Environmental Stewardship Award from the City of Centennial