Wow, have you seen the new Architecture proposed for Denver International Airport by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava? The designs are amazing. What you are seeing in the design is a plan for the new South Terminal. The article from the Denver Post discusses the inspiration behind the new design and what it means as a doorway for Denver as visitors arrive. This is a base to tie in with expansion of hotels in the Downtown to host more events and conferences as Denver continues to grow. With more visitors to Denver we locals also get to enjoy the continued development of the Downtown district with more restaurants, shops, and great venues for us to enjoy. Every day, week, month and year the Downtown area is becoming more and more exciting to live in. Just yesterday morning enjoying a nice breakfast on the patio of Sam’s no. 3 I had a discussion with a mother and daughter who were having a post night on the town breakfast. The mother, retired lived downtown and her daughter was visiting along with friends and had taken the mother out for the birthday. They have owned and lived in Downtown Denver for almost two decades and spoke so enthusiastically about how much Denver had changed and how enjoyable their life was in the heart of Downtown. They walked to restaurants, shops and shows and were thrilled with how full of energy the city of Denver has become. The daughter was in Real Estate and she and I had a wonderful discussion about the new SPIRE and Four Seasons building. The mother shared stories of the early days when the Ritz building was the hottest site on the block and visiting celebrities and entertainers would stay in their hotel rooms and residents would meet them at the ground level bar and enjoy sharing a glass of wine with their celebrity heroes. As we sat sipping our coffee and sharing stories of Denver’s history I realized how often our conversation would be repeated in the future.

5, 10 or 20 years from now someone will be sitting at a cafe or bistro in Downtown Denver looking back at the remarkable changes and developments since today. The big difference is that growth and urban improvements are happening faster now. Before there were initiatives that created a sense of place in Downtown Denver with projects such as the redevelopment of Larimer street, the urban plan for the three downtown sporting arenas, and the creation of Riverfront Park. Back then the city needed to get people into downtown. Now that this has succeeded incredibly well and the downtown is thriving with life and energy progress is continuing by momentum. For those who have read the tipping point… Denver passed that point long ago. Now it’s looking forward to a beautiful future.

With the creation of the Union Station Neighborhood, the 14th street initiative, and all the development interest in the 16th street mall corridor Denver is developing quickly. When reading the article about the beautiful new DIA terminal one single sentence resonated more than any other…. the trains are scheduled to begin serving DIA from Union Station in 2016. That may sound far away but it’s not and the idea that one could walk out their front door with a suitcase in hand and jump on a quick train ride to DIA will be a huge feature for Downtown Denver loft and condo residents. It’s one of the many reasons New Era Realty specializes in Downtown Denver condos and lofts, and a great reason why you should give us a call today to learn more about the great condo and loft opportunities in our wonderful city.

Contact New Era Realty today at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 to schedule a showing at any of the many wonderful residences in Downtown Denver or to learn more about these growing areas.

Denver Downtown Living – The Golden Triangle

Denver living will include the neighborhood that is often called the Golden Triangle. According to the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Association this area is one block that goes east to Lincoln Street, which takes in nearly all of Civic Center Park except for Colorado State Capitol and a very few of the buildings that are north of Colfax Avenue. Denver living in this area is a small population of only 630. The importance of the Golden Triangle is regarded very seriously as this is the location of many cultural and civic venues. They are in the northern part of this neighborhood in the area that is called the Civic Center.

The Golden Triangle area is the site of many renovations today and Denver living is the better for them. There will be a new justice center that was approved by a vote city-wide. The Denver jail will be a part of this new construction. The expansion of the Civic Center area has been discussed. The proposed expansion would include the Denver Mint, which is three blocks from the current location of the park as well as the justice center. A new wing was completed in the fall of 2006 for the Denver Art Museum and this was a further addition to the many art galleries already there and the Curious Theatre Company.

Many in the neighborhood feel that the area may be developing too quickly. There have been three condominium developments built in the area within the last five years. One recent condominium is the Prado, which is a French style building with 18 floors. Presently the builder, Craig Nassi and some of the residents of Denver disagree on the building of these condominiums in the Golden Triangle.

However, those who li ke the condominiums say this is one of the best ways of showing off Denver as a wonderful place to live. The Prado penthouse of Carmelo Anthony, a Denver Nuggets basketball star was recently a feature on MTV Cribs.

The history of the Golden Triangle area is interesting because it is one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods. There are many homes here that include bungalows and Victorian style homes that were built in the 19th century and early in the 20th as well. The mayor of Denver in 1904 to 1919, Robert Speer was responsible for the addition of a neoclassic park north of this neighborhood and for the canyon built around Cherry Creek.

At the end of World War II, the area became a business support area. Many of the homes of historic importance were torn down and parking lots were built. Other businesses including car dealerships were built. The 1990’s saw changes as this neighborhood started changing into more of a multi-use neighborhood.

Condominiums were built and loft developments sprang up in the neighborhood and several of the former supply stores and garages were renovated to become restaurants, offices and art galleries.

Please contact New Era Realty to learn more about living on the Plaza, Riverfront Park, or any of the many wonderful Denver loft and condominium offerings at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

I know, it’s not really that big of news.  After all those of us who live in Downtown Denver lofts or condos already expected this.  After all we have so many things going in our favor.

Let’s start from a birds eye view and get into more detail from there.  And that bird just happens to be flying in one of the sunniest cities in the country.  Denver simply has some of the best weather of any city.  We have all four seasons and whether it’s spring, summer, winter or fall you can bet it’s almost always beautiful outside.  So those of us who live in Downtown Denver tend to walk, bike, run and pretty much anything that keeps us outside and enjoying the weather.

Getting into a little more detail that bird doesn’t have far to fly when it travels from overlooking a Baseball game at Coors Field to waiting to snatch up a stray bread crumb at any one of many great restaurants across the city.  Everything is within a short bike ride or walk when you live downtown.  Maybe one of the reasons Denver scored as such a fit city is because everything we need is within an easy pedestrian commute.   As a bird flies most downtown Denver condos and lofts have nearly everything you need within a mile radius.

The urban planners definitely did a great job with our city.  We have three sporting arenas in our Downtown (Coors Field, Invesco, and the Pepsi Center) along with a thriving Theater district and multiple event arenas.  Plenty of green space and public parks, and of course some of the best bike trails and lanes linking it all together. With so much to see and do outside the front door we keep our Denver loft and condo residents on the move from one fun outing to the next.

Want an example.  Tonight alone there is the Denver Cruisers bike ride around downtown, Lady Gaga at the Pepsi Center, Mary Chapin Carpenter with Dar Williams at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Colorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field, and more and more.  It’s only Wednesday and there is so much to do when you have the Downtown Denver lifestyle.

We wish all of you in Denver congratulations on earning this fittest city recognition.  I’m guessing you had fun getting in shape.

To learn more about living in Downtown Denver or the great Denver city lifestyle contact New Era Realty at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.  In the meantime enjoy the sunshine.

Denver.org post about Forbes voting Denver one of the top 10 fittest cities

Pros and Cons of Buying Denver Condominiums

How do you know if you should consider purchasing Denver condominiums? If you are looking for low to no maintenance, a home with a pool, security or perhaps exercise facilities, Denver condominiums may be for you. Some even have clubhouses that are provided for the residents to get together and interact. Condo living has many advantages that single family homes do not when it comes to what is provided for residents.

Another reason you might be considering Denver condominiums is they can be less expensive to purchase than a single family home. When looking for homes in good areas with excellent schools this is an important factor to consider. The security is another aspect you will want to consider when deciding if Denver condominiums are the right choice for you. Many condominiums are within gated communities so the chance of someone being there who does not belong is less than in a neighborhood. Security is provided at many condos to ensure the safety of the residents.

Many people prefer the feeling of a close knit community that condominiums provide. This is especially true of older residents who can get together at the clubhouse with their friends. Some condo communities have regular activities for residents and this provides a chance to socialize and is great for residents that may not have family nearby.

The disadvantages of owning a condominium are another factor that will have to be considered. The condo may have higher monthly dues that you cannot afford along with the payments you are making. Checking this out before you make a commitment to purchase a condo is always a good idea. The prices that are charged vary from one condominium to the next, so finding one with affordable monthly dues can be done.

One of the concerns that many people have is the lack of storage. Some condos do provide storage for owners however, if not you will have to find one off-site. This can be expensive over a period of time. For the homeowner who wants a yard, condominiums do not have yards for residents. The outside areas are common areas that are shared by all the residents. If a balcony or a patio will do just as well, this can be a consideration when shopping for a condo.

Another thing you should check on is the rules that are set by the condominium association. They can be of concern for those who might want to sub-let their condo. Many times this is not allowed in certain communities. Check on the pet policy. Most rules regarding pets are they must be under a certain size and cannot be one of the breeds that are considered dangerous.

Ensuring that you get a condo that has good management is another thing you will want to check on. Although most are run with proficiency, there are some that are not kept up and the disrepair will allow your condo to lose value.

We invite you to please contact New Era Realty with any questions you may have about about the pros and cons of buying Denver condominiums at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

Thank you SPIRE for your perfect timing.  SPIRE, the 42 story tower in the heart of Downtown Denver has been a wonderful option for many of our clients.  With great amenities, beautiful architecture and views, and an attractive price point it fits today’s market perfectly.  Sometimes a great plan just finds exactly what the market wants and needs.

When SPIRE was first designed it was intended to be, and I’m using their own marketing words here.. “sustainable and attainable” residences.  The idea was that the building would be a LEED® certified development (sustainable) and available across many price points and sizes (attainable).  At the time the building broke ground the market was booming.   Many other developers were creating projects with higher and higher price points in a focus on creating the most luxurious residences available.  We understand that there is always a demand across every price point but when SPIRE decided to focus on offering low entry level prices for downtown condos WITH high end design they made a very wise decision.  They met the needs of our home buyers.  Additionally, by investing in FHA qualification for SPIRE they opened the door for many more buyers to qualify and enjoy favorable financing.  If the folks who developed SPIRE did have a crystal ball many years ago to see what today’s economy would look like they could hardly have designed the building better.  So we say thank you to SPIRE for having the vision to design something attainable and sustainable.

As we continue to share SPIRE and other downtown projects with our clients we also wonder if there could be a long wait before a similar new development opens it’s doors and whether that will make current real estate developments even more desirable.  It would be tough to build another SPIRE, or Glass House, or anything today.  The credit markets for developers are tougher than ever before.  A few years ago new developments were fairly easy to get funded.  Many developments are sold on pre sales requirements which means they have to have a certain amount of the units under contract before the first shovel can break ground.   Some larger projects (like SPIRE or Glass House) could be financed as an apartment with a condo option so the developer could break ground and start the construction process before hitting a pre sales requirement.  This is certainly helpful in larger buildings because it can be difficult to ask buyers to commit to a new home that might not be done for several years.  This is especially true for those whose careers might take them elsewhere at any time.  That’s why developers like to get the building within a year or so from completion when they begin sales to allow new home buyers a shorter and more certain waiting period.  It doesn’t hurt to be able to go on hard hat tours in the building as well.

But with today’s tight credit requirements getting those projects funded is more difficult.  Not a lot of new projects are underway in the Denver area, and our market is incredibly strong and our city continues to show job growth and economic health.  What does that mean for real estate?  It’s simple really… there might just be a bit of a wait before new development projects open their doors for folks to move in.  We will likely see some pre sales begin on the next projects but the actual completion and move in date would be farther down the road.  For many this makes existing projects like SPIRE all the more attractive.  It’s new and available for move in today (or months from now.. working with a developer allows for flexible time frames).

So give New Era Realty a call at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 and join us for a tour of the SPIRE residences.  Denver’s newest addition to the skyline is also one of the most attractive development projects for new home buyers.  There is plenty to look at but once they are gone they are gone.  Don’t miss out.

Where do we even start, there’s so much going on.

On the construction front the crews have been working fast and furious putting in the foundation for the Union Station Neighborhood project.  This concrete pour in the dug out hole is the base of what will be part of the new transportation center at Union Station.  There are HUGE piles of dirt from all the excavation that went on and in a matter of a few short weeks a great deal of progress has been made.

On the tenant front the Denver Post article announced that Union Station has a big new tenant…

DaVita has selected the Union Station area in downtown Denver for its new corporate headquarters, disclosing plans Wednesday to spend $101 million to develop a 270,000-square-foot building near the Millennium Bridge at the west end of the 16th Street Mall.

That’s another bit of great news for the downtown Denver loft and condo market.  This influx of commercial tenants for the district creates a tax base for the neighborhood improvements underway and helps create a base for future restaurants, shops and of course residential development.  No news yet on what is planned in this area and whether the Union Station Neighborhood or Riverfront Park will be rolling out anything new.. but they keep hinting that this month or the next could offer an announcement.  In the meantime the hottest project in town continues to be SPIRE at 14th and Champa but we will keep you posted on all neighborhoods Downtown.

So we’ve told you that construction is moving rapidly, commercial tenants are signing up.  What else could be exciting in the Central Platte Valley?

How about the one & only Riverfront Park Fashion Show this coming Saturday July 24th.  It’s a great time to visit Riverfront Park and check out the surrounding buildings of Riverfront Tower, Park Place Lofts, and Promenade Lofts.  These are some of our favorites and we would be happy to take you on a tour of these or any buildings in Riverfront Park or the Downtown Denver area.

To schedule a tour or learn more about SPIRE, Riverfront Park, and the Downtown Denver condo and loft market please contact New Era Realty at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

It’s almost time for a Riverfront Park annual event, the Riverfront Park Fashion Show Series.  Saturday July 24th from 4:30 to 9:30 the plaza at Riverfront Park (at the base of the Millennium) is closed of for some cabanas, tables, vendors, and of course runway models to take the area over and put on a Fashion Show.  You can tell the economy is a little changed now as what before had been a series of summer fashion shows is now one single event.

That’s the lifestyle section of the post.  Now let’s talk about real estate.  There has been so much buzz about SPIRE and Glass House as the glass walled towers that our clients love so much but we also want to mention three other favorites in high rise living.  On the plaza in Riverfront Park are the three original buildings that were designed and built when Riverfront Park was begun some 10+ years ago.  The idea was simple.  Start this planned community be creating a heart of the neighborhood.  The area would be at the base of the bridge that connects Riverfront Park to the city.  It would be the gateway from the city to the newly (At that time) designed and created commons park.  It would be built with an open plaza with art and space for everyone to enjoy.  And that is exactly what was built.

The three buildings that are part of this community heart are Riverfront Tower, the Park Place Lofts, and the Promenade Lofts.  Unlike any other buildings within Riverfront Park these three were built as mixed use projects.  So just like living on your favorite block in New York City the base of these buildings was designed to offer the residents upstairs access to restaurants, coffee shops, stores and more.  You probably recognize the names of the tenants who came on board when we mention Zengo, McLoughlins, INK Coffee, Jay’s Deli, Little Raven Vineyards and Community Banks of Colorado (just in case you need an ATM).  There are some empty spaces right now awaiting new retailers or restaurant visionaries but now might be a good time to negotiate if you have an idea.  This area is always growing and it’s residents love their easily accessible neighborhood amenities.

So we’ve outlined that these buildings are in an incredible location on the heart of the plaza.  You can enjoy walking out your front door for a quick cup of coffee or an Angry Zengo Sushi Roll.   Being on the gateway to the park and the city means you have the best of both worlds.  Now what about the Architecture?

These three buildings offer some incredible construction and design.  Built with the developer was first working to establish Riverfront Park’s reputation they invested in high end finishes, concrete construction, and a variety of floor plan styles.  Riverfront Tower is one of the highest finish level buildings in Riverfront Park with a more classic style on the inside including hardwood floors, granite counter tops, and large patios.  To many it’s referred to as the clock tower building that looks out at the park.

The Promenade and Park Place lofts were based on mixing some old loft styles with new designs.  With concrete floors and open ceilings there is the feeling of the original loft conversion.  This idea was then combined with new materials and finish designs for a contemporary and urban feel.

With one, two , three and penthouse residences in all three buildings there has always been a variety of sizes to suit every goal.  These buildings also offer low income deed restricted residences that we keep our eyes peeled for.  These are worth a visit and a tour.

Please contact New Era Realty to learn more about living on the Plaza, Riverfront Park, or any of the many wonderful Denver loft and condominium offerings at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

One of the exciting criteria we hear quite a bit from our clients is a request for us to help them find a downtown Denver condo or loft that helps them live a green lifestyle.  A great deal of that is simply location.  It may involve living close to the light rail station or bike trails so they can leave their cars parked or it might simply mean living in Downtown Denver footsteps from their office.

But another factor is the construction of the building.  This includes the methods for heating and cooling (and utility bills later), the materials in construction, the air quality, and much much more.  It’s a big deal.  And for many it’s on the “must have” list when selecting their new downtown Denver condo or loft.  Unfortunately, just like there can be mislabeling in foods and other products many real estate developments throw around the words “green” or “sustainable” without any real basis.  That is why the U.S. Green Building Council established a LEED® certification project.  Real Estate Development projects must qualify in specific criteria and be awarded points for each goal met.  These areas may be air or water quality, materials, location, and more.  If you don’t meet the point score you don’t qualify.  This third party measuring system ensures that for a project to meet LEED® qualification it really is truly green.

And SPIRE is one such building.  As mentioned in this article SPIRE qualifies not only as a LEED® qualified building but also as one of the largest LEED® certified buildings in the ENTIRE COUNTRY.  And it’s right here in Denver.  Just one of the many many reasons so many of our clients have selected SPIRE as their new home in Downtown Denver.

Here are some excepts from the official release about areas where SPIRE scored points..

• Over 90% of all regularly occupied spaces provide direct line of sight views and access to daylight.

• 100% Green Power, renewable energy contract to provide renewable electricity for the building.

• 61.4% reduction in potable water consumption from a calculated baseline by using native plants, drip irrigation and moisture sensors.

• 26.5% reduction in potable water use due to utilization of reduced-flow lavatory, kitchen sink faucets and shower heads, dual flush toilets, and waterless urinals.

•  Improved Indoor Environmental Quality through enhanced air filtration, low-emitting materials for paint, coatings and carpets.

• Commitment to recycling with a dedicated single stream recycling chute located on all occupied floors.

• Transportation options that augment a 97/100 walk score (one of the highest scores in Denver) include 180+ bike racks, motor scooter and motorcycle parking, discounts on Low Emission Vehicle Parking spaces, Connect by Hertz car sharing service located in the ground and adjacency to RTD light rail and the city’s B-Cycle program.

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It’s a question that was posed in an article in the New York Times this past weekend but it sparked us to discuss why so many people are choosing a Downtown Denver condo or loft residence over a home the in ‘burbs.

The article is an interesting read.  It is about a couple debating the annual costs between living in condo in Manhattan or a home in the ‘burbs.  The main draw for the city address is the lifestyle.  The main draw for the home in the ‘burbs is the square footage and the yard.  The more expensive option… believe it or not it was the house in the ‘burbs.  The reason was tied to car and transportation costs, more utilities and maintenance, and the property taxes and other financial terms for the home.

In reading the article a few things about Denver stood out.  Downtown Denver condo and loft residents don’t have to make this drastic of a choice.  Our downtown, which offers all the great benefits of lifestyle, restaurants, arts, events, and culture also offers us green space.  I love Manhattan.  It’s a fabulous city and unlike any other in the world.  But it’s also a much bigger city than Denver and while Central Park is beautiful but there is definitely a shortage of open spaces.  How lucky are we in Denver.  We have ton’s of downtown parks, open spaces, bike paths, and water ways throughout our downtown.  We have areas like the Highlands, Ball Park, Capitol Hill, Uptown, Cheesman Park, Golden Triangle, Lohi, Sloans Lake and more where you can have the house with a yard AND be downtown for a fraction of the cost of Manhattan.   You can live in a high rise condo downtown like SPIRE or Glass House or a home with a yard in the highlands and still have the same car optional lifestyle.

The article is an interesting read.  If nothing else we should always look to larger cities to learn from their strengths and weaknesses as Denver continues to grow.  Denver is a growing city.  People love our city, our restaurants, our mountain back yard, and of course our sunny and beautiful weather.  As a result people and businesses keep moving here.. and we are growing.  I would be remiss not to mention that many of our clients also point out how affordable Downtown Denver living is compared to the cities they come from and with a better lifestyle.  We feel fortunate.

As fuel prices continue to rise the cost difference discussed in the article for auto fuel and utilities is likely to make the financial benefit of a downtown Denver address a growing value over the ‘burbs as time goes on.  So if you can have the better lifestyle, the high-rise OR the house with the yard, and the better financial option why not make your home in Downtown Denver.  It’s a good question to ask yourself.

To learn more about Denver condo and loft residencies (high-rise or home with a yard) just give New Era Realty a call at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 to learn more or to  schedule a tour.

Photo credit to The Urban Brain

The big holiday weekend is here.  It’s the Fourth of July celebration and with it we highlight one of the most active areas in town for this weekend…. Riverfront Park.

Riverfront Park is a unique master planned development in Downtown Denver.  For those of you who remember some 10 plus years ago you’ll recall that there was almost nothing in this area.  But city planners long ago had a vision.  In those city plans was an outline for a park system that embraced the meeting point of Cherry Creek and the Platte river and a zone ideal for a mixed use development.  That mixed use development is Riverfront Park and it is one of the rare neighborhoods that has it’s own park right outside the front door.  And that park is where many Denver condo and loft residents go to celebrate their Fourth of July events.

For you see, Commons Park and the many buildings within Riverfront Park have some of the best views for the Fireworks displays in the city that take place over Coors Field and Invesco Field.  For folks lucky enough to own or have friends in Glass House, Riverfront Tower, ONE Riverfront, Park Place, Promenade Lofts or the Park at ONE Riverfront this means you have an ideal location to host the Fourth of July with premier views.  In fact the Glass House with it’s 8th floor pool deck facing Coors field is probably the one of the most ideal city viewing locations any time of the year (have you seen how beautiful Union Station is lit up at night during the holidays).  The photo above was taken during the 2007 fireworks display from the Glass House (yes, that long ago).

Another viewing spot is of course Commons park, that lush green park where starting tomorrow morning there will begin the creation of a festive blanket and bar-b-q city as Downtown Denver condo and loft residents secure their seats for the evening fireworks show.  We mention all this because if you haven’t visited Riverfront Park we suggest you do.  It’s unique in so many ways.  Incredible architecture, green space, biking and running trails, and views, views, and more views.  Being located on the edge of the city means that when you look to the west you have some unobstructed views over Commons Park to the mountains and on the other side into the city with the gorgeous Denver skyline.  Riverfront Park master HOA fees pay for all the beautiful landscaping through the plaza, the maintenance teams that keep every block clean and tidy, and off duty police officers to watch over the neighborhood.  Withing Riverfront Park the most popular building may be the Glass House, which originally sold out all 23 floors of residences almost immediately.  With a pool, fitness center, media room, fire pit, and glass walls it’s easy to see why.  And fortunately one of the most desirable addresses in Denver now also has some incredible resales for one, two and penthouse residences with some of the best pricing since original sales.

We only mention that because if you do go to visit Riverfront Park it’s quite possible that after falling in love with it you might just decide it’s where you want to live.  So we invite you to contact us at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 to schedule a tour of Riverfront Park, the Glass House, or any of the other great buildings within this neighborhood.

Have a happy Fourth of July and here are some details about Fireworks this weekend..

Coors Field Coors Field – 2001 Blake St – Lodo July 3 : 6:10 p.m

Invesco Field Invesco Field at Mile High – 1701 Bryant St. – Denver July 4 : 7 p.m.