It’s happening.  We know many people still can’t imagine it but an increasing number of downtown clients are asking the question… “do I want to give up my car”.

It is a newer question for Denver.  Don’t get me wrong… there have been folks living in Downtown Denver without a car for many many years.  Many work, live and play downtown and the added cost of a car simply wasn’t a benefit.  But while cities like New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco are thought of as car optional, Denver doesn’t even make the top 10.  Here are the top 10 walkable cities from walkscore.

1. San Francisco, CA
2. New York, NY
3. Boston, MA
4. Chicago, IL
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. Seattle, WA
7. Washington D.C.
8. Long Beach, CA
9. Los Angeles, CA
10. Portland, OR

How can Denver not show up in the top 10 walkable cities when SPIRE, located right in the heart of Downtown Denver, scores a perfect 100 out of 100 as a walkers paradise.  I suppose it’s because while Denver is fast growing into a car optional friendly city in the Downtown we still have a number of areas in Denver that need to improve.  The new DIA to Denver light rail lines and other planned enhancements around Union Station are steps in the right direction.  So we accept that not all of Denver is suited for car optional living the Downtown area certainly is.

And that’s exactly the conclusion many of our clients are arriving at.  SPIRE really kicked off this trend when it allowed folks to buy a residence without a parking space.  With parking spaces averaging roughly $35K at SPIRE (they were $40K at Glass House for a second space) it is a significant way to reduce the purchase price of your condominium.  SPIRE offers the sale of scooter parking spaces for a fraction of the cost and contracted with Connect by Hertz so a car sharing program would be in the base of the building to make the car optional lifestyle even easier.

Calculating the cost of paying for the parking space in the mortgage, a car payment, car insurance, gas, maintenance, and whatever else you can think of a number of folks came to the conclusion that they could save a LOT of money without a car and parking space.  Some took the money they saved in not adding in a parking space simply as a savings.  Others found that they could buy a little more square footage.  Either way, the savings is significant.

What about the downside of buying a condo without a parking spot?  The biggest concern would be the resale down the road.  With the majority of people in Denver still living with a car your resale would have to appeal to a specific audience.  There might be a secondary market for parking spaces but that still makes for a less simple transaction.  A great deal might depend on how long someone planned to hold on to their home.  As Denver continues to develop it’s public transportation network (remember DIA to Denver should be here by 2016) and with the growing trend of car share programs, bike share programs, and sustainable living the audience that prefers a car optional residence should continue to grow.  Denver also has many parking garages where someone who absolutely needed to add a car at a later date might not be able to park in their own building but, just like New York, could keep a car close by.

It seems like there are many benefits to the car optional choice.  The first and most apparent being the huge financial savings opportunity.  As Denver continues to grow and develop will this become the preferred option.  We will keep watching and let you know.

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

Downtown Denver Labor Day Event – A Taste of Colorado 2010

Downtown Denver is gearing up for the upcoming Labor Day weekend and there will be many events for the whole family. The late summer festivities will include all kinds of food, fun, music and the best part is admission is free. A Taste of Colorado, Red Rocks Concerts, a free day at the Denver Art Museum and the Colorado Railroad Museum are just a few of the upcoming events. Downtown Denver will celebrate this year’s Labor Day weekend from Friday, Sept. 3rd through Monday, Sept. 6th.

A Taste of Colorado is one of the most anticipated events of the weekend. With over 50 restaurants from the downtown Denver area offering “a taste” of full meals, there will be a fine dining area set up and this will include a chef’s competition all four days.

In addition, there will be vendors, crafts from the local area, educational programs focusing on the western heritage of Colorado. The Colorado Mining Exhibit, a raptor exhibit and Festival of the Mountain and Plain area are new for this year’s downtown Denver Labor Day Event.

The well-known Red Rocks summer concerts will feature a number of entertainers this Labor Day weekend. Including Vampire Weekend, Beach House, Dum Dum Girls, Gov’t Mule and The Avett Brothers on the Red Rocks Stage throughout the weekend will provide entertainment for those attending the downtown Denver events. On Sunday night, Willie Nelson will be the featured entertainer.

There will be five stages with sounds ranging from rock-n-roll to jazz and there is no charge for enjoying this great entertainment. There will be many big names that you will recognize as well as the terrific sounds of local and up and coming artists.

The kids will be thrilled with a Taste of Colorado for BBQs, ice cream, cupcakes, nuts and a variety of great food and then they will be ready for the KidzStage. There will be all types of crafts and play equipment as well as carnival rides and games.

Purchase an “Early Bird” wristband between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturday through Monday. The kids can enjoy unlimited rides all day until 5:00 p.m. or choose the All Day wristbands and they are good until closing.  Make downtown Denver your Labor Day Weekend celebration.

Please contact New Era Realty to learn more about Downtown Denver Labor Day Event, or any of the many wonderful Denver loft and condominium offerings at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

It is time for a toast everyone. This past week RTD broke ground on the rail lines that will carry future passengers from Denver International Airport to Union Station here in Downtown Denver.

Here is the excerpt from the RTD website…

Six excavators tore into the ground as dignitaries looked on to mark the groundbreaking of the East Corridor Commuter Rail line to DIA on Thursday, Aug. 26. This ceremonial event marks the beginning of a six year project that will connect the Denver Union Station to the Denver International Airport.

What does this mean for Denver?  It means the start of what may be one of the biggest projects for the Downtown Denver and Riverfront Park neighborhoods.  The connection between DIA and the new Union Station Neighborhood will take six years.  What will likely happen over those six years is the exciting part.  In those six years the Union Station Neighborhood and the surrounding areas are expected to grow with restaurants, shops, condominiums, and architectural amenities to create a welcome point.  The Union Station transit hub is expected to be busy with the energy of Downtown Denver workers, shoppers, and travelers enjoying our great city.  With more foot traffic comes more services and businesses to cater to these new individuals.

So we have many reasons to be excited.  All of us at New Era Realty (and our clients) look forward to the downtown Denver lifestyle that will allow for a train ride to catch our work or vacation flights.  We look forward to never again driving in traffic out to DIA, battling for parking spaces, and paying almost as much on parking as we did on our flight.  We instead look forward to kicking back on the train, perhaps reading our travel guide for our vacation destination or just relaxing with the daily paper.  We look forward to looking out at the snow covered roads from the safety of our train car as we try to remember if we packed our sunscreen for whatever sunny destination we might be heading for to take a mid winter break.  All of these benefits we have to wait until 2016 for.

But before that happens we look forward to the preparation for when that first train pulls in.  Over the next six months as the neighborhood develops the residents in Riverfront Park, the Lower Highlands and Downtown Denver get a whole new variety of places to explore.  New restaurant openings, new shops, and of course great new architecture and street design for shared city spaces.  Now is a terrific time to learn more about owning in these developing Downtown neighborhoods.  One of our favorites, Glass House, will have a panoramic view on the Union Station Neighborhood growth.  Contact New Era Realty at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950 today to learn more about these exciting downtown Denver areas and home opportunities.

Healthy High Rise Living… That’s what the folks at SPIRE are offering to their homeowners.  It is a message that resonates with all of us at New Era Realty and our clients.  Many homeowners who are moving downtown are doing so to improve their quality of life in every area.  They are choosing to commute less. They are choosing to have the entire menu of Denver’s great restaurants and eateries.  They are choosing the arts, culture, and entertainment of the city.  And they are choosing to be healthier.

SPIRE offers healthier living in many ways.  SPIRE’s amenities offer two pools, two spas, a fitness center, yoga floor and zen garden.  The building itself is LEED® certified and includes healthy benefits in air quality, sunshine, and of course the walkable location.  SPIRE has that incredible 100 out of 100 walkscore and healthy lifestyle partnerships with Bcycle and Connect by Hertz car sharing.  What could be next?  The retail side of course.

SPIRE has announced several retail tenants on the ground floor that are focused on health as well.  The first we already mentioned.  Connect by Hertz will be based in the building with cars ready to go for residents leading a car optional lifestyle to pick up for that occasional road trip that requires more than bicycle wheels or public transportation.   Revolution Cleaners will also be opening their doors at SPIRE.  This environmentally friendly dry cleaner is there to ensure that every SPIRE resident can have their out on the town outfits cleaned and pressed in a green and earth friendly way.

What about the most basic downtown condo and loft homeowner’s need… that morning cup of coffee.  SPIRE announced that Ninety Plus Coffee will be moving in.   This coffee wholesaler and retailer will be taking another of the ground level spots and it will be the first retail store for the “green” company, whose clients include Whole Foods.  And the most recent announcement which we haven’t seen the menu for covers the most basic late night need of a good slice of Pizza.  Organic Pizza will be setting up shop at the ground floor of SPIRE as well.  With more spaces left to be announced it seems as if a healthy theme is brewing at SPIRE (and for that block of the Theater District).  It will be exciting to see this neighborhood develop into what may be one of the most exciting corners in Denver.

To learn more about healthy high rise living at SPIRE or to have your own private tour of the building please contact New Era Realty at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.

41st Annual Denver Oktoberfest in Downtown Denver

The 41st Annual Denver Oktoberfest in downtown Denver will start September 17 and go through the 19th and from the 24th through the 26th on Larimer. The Denver Oktoberfest is located between 20th and 22nd Streets on Larimer Street in the Ballpark Neighborhood of downtown Denver.

Downtown Denver will rock when the events begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2010. The opening ceremonies will be presented by Jim Koch, the founder and of Sam Adams beginning at 6:30 p.m. and lasting until 7:30 p.m. There will be live music from 9:00 p.m. to 1 a.m. The hours of the festival are Friday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday the hours will be from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The following events are scheduled for the Denver Oktoberfest:

Saturday September 18, 2010
8:00am-11:00am Das Hustlehoff 5k Running Race  (Register)
1:00pm-4:00pm Live Music
6:00pm-1:00am  Live Music

Friday September 24, 2010
6:00pm-1:00am Live Music
7:00pm-8:00 Oktoberfest Olympics

Saturday September 25, 2010
5:00pm-7:00pm Live Music
9:00pm-1:00am Live Music

There are also dozens of events being held over the course of the Denver Oktoberfest, located on two separate stages – the Rock Stage and the German Stage.  Headliners include The PolkaNauts, Jaden Carlson and the Fox Street All Stars.

Come and enjoy fun with the whole family in downtown Denver when the 41st Annual Denver Oktoberfest gets off to a great start.

Please contact New Era Realty to learn more about The 41st Annual Denver Oktoberfest in downtown Denver , or any of the many wonderful Denver loft and condominium offerings at 303.991.9878 or 800.392.1950.