Close your eyes and imagine how a Broncos stadium and mixed-use development might look at Burnham Yard.

That hypothetical is reality for two architecture firms, Manica and Tryba, selected by the Walton Penner family ownership group to help revitalize a defunct rail yard with ambitious vision. The proposed site covers about 150 acres. Plans include four districts — North End, Village Center, Turntable and South End — anchored by a retractable-roof NFL stadium.

Tryba is the master plan architect. Last month, the Broncos shared updated master plan renderings at Burnham Yard shaped by community feedback. They detailed residential and commercial spaces, parks and gathering places, while also preserving the rich history of Burnham Yard.

Tryba is a Denver-based architecture firm founded in 1988 with a focus on “highly visible projects that integrate historic context, contemporary use and future aspiration,” according to its website. Tryba is behind some of the city’s most notable landmarks such as the Denver Botanic Gardens, Mercantile Square and modernizing Union Station. Tommy Matthews is the director of design communication and principal architect at Tryba.

“I think the most remarkable aspect of our firm is the contribution that we’ve made to Denver itself,” Matthews told The Denver Gazette. “It’s a started-in-Denver firm with national reach. We’ve got a ton of human satisfaction in getting to work on our city as a project. Our practice has been very focused on large-scale civic restoration and adaptive re-use projects. The big idea is to have a practice that never starts with a blank slate but rather responds to existing contexts.”

Manica is the lead stadium architect. Broncos team president Damani Leech said in August that stadium renderings “will be shared probably on a much longer-term timeline.” What is certain? Manica ranks among the most sought-after boutique sport and entertainment design architecture firms in the world.

Manica designed Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, which opened in 2020 and hosted Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024.

Manica is also the lead architect on upcoming stadium projects with the Titans, Bears and Chiefs. David Manica founded the firm in 2007. Manica provides all stadium design planning before teaming with a different architect to create the blueprints.

“If you go to see a game or event in one of our projects, no matter where you’re sitting, you’re going to have a great experience — not just a great view,” Manica told The Denver Gazette. “I think our projects are very unique, and that is driven in a lot of ways by the uniqueness of the location and city. Allegiant Stadium, for example, feels particularly Vegas and the Raiders. But it wouldn’t be right anywhere else. That actually makes it perfect in that location. In the same way that the new Titans stadium is perfect for Nashville.

“We always draw incredible inspiration from the site location, its surrounding, and context in the communities and neighborhoods.”

Burnham Yard is still the “preferred site” of a new Broncos stadium and mixed-use development with a 2031 anticipated opening. There are several more steps — like a community benefits agreement and relocating Denver Water facilities — before it becomes a reality.

“It’s been incredible to work with the Broncos,” Manica said. “They’re very smart and very savvy. They care a lot and they want to do the right thing. And they want to do something that’s really, really special for the city and community. I’ve enjoyed every step of the way with them.”