Denver, otherwise known as the "Mile-High City," may be a big city -- in fact, it's the largest city in the Rockies -- but it doesn't feel big. That's the beauty of this city -- secondary, of course, to its surrounding beauty, the stunning snowcaps that treat residents to literal candy store of ski resort options. Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Winter Park are three of the closest resorts to Denver; a short drive away, you'll find many others located in a chain that gives skiers the option of choosing larger resorts with more trails and nightlife, or low-traffic, quieter resorts.

Contrary to many other Colorado cities and towns, which still have several architectural relics of the past alongside new buildings, downtown Denver is made up predominantly of skyscrapers and modern structures. A mad rush for urban development during the 1970s and 1980s resulted in the destruction of the last vestiges of Denver's past.

Denver has, however, preserved its old gold-rush "main street," now known as Larimer Square. In addition to providing a blast from the long past, Larimer Square also is home to a slew of restaurants and shops. Many visitors start here, then venture to Lower Downtown ("LoDo"). LoDo, an artsy neighborhood, contains many well-preserved warehouses, which have been converted into art galleries, nightclubs, and cafés. The Colorado Rockies baseball team calls LoDo home, as well; they practice in nearby Coors Field. For people-watching, head to 16th Street Mall, 13 consecutive blocks of trees, park benches, and some of Denver's best shops.

Among the city's more popular sightseeing destinations are the original Coors brewery; the Denver Art Museum, home to Native American and pre-Columbian collections; the Denver Zoo; and the U.S. Mint, which produces $150,000 in pennies daily, and where you'll find the nation's second-largest gold deposit.

On the real estate front, Denver's peak year for residential construction was 1994. But the market continues to perform well, and the city remains a popular choice on "Best Cities" lists -- primarily for its quality of life. Denver proper and Denver County comprise more than 70 (officially designated) neighborhoods. Here's a brief look at some of them:

Downtown Denver. Downtown Denver includes Union Station and its surrounding area; the Auraria neighborhood and Civic Center area; and North Capitol Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods. Like many other cities, Denver has experienced a recent resurgence of young professionals back into the downtown portion of the city. Particularly hot is the Lower Downtown area (LoDo), dominated by red brick architecture. Condos are the most popular choice for incoming residents, and their prices continue to creep upward. Single-family homes are almost nonexistent here. Once you leave downtown Denver, however, the pattern reverses, and single-family homes dominate.

That's not to say, however, that condos aren't hot outside the city; in southeast Denver, they continue to sell at a rapid rate. In 1995, for example, 1,142 condos were sold between January 1 and mid-August, compared to 150 sales in southwest Denver, 12 in northeast Denver, and six in northwest Denver.

North Capitol Hill/Capitol Hill. Heading east of downtown, you'll find yet more historic neighborhoods; however, these have a distinctly different flavor. In contrast to LoDo, which has been packaged as young, hip, and urban, the North Capitol Hill and Capitol Hill neighborhoods once the site of Denver's first housing developments in the 1800s, have been preserved with an emphasis on maintaining historic integrity versus the creation of sleek urbanism. Aristocrats later settled in these neighborhoods. Grant Street, located within this area, used to be known as "Millionaire's Row." Since then, the district has been converted to condos, offices, and bed and breakfasts. Residents enjoy easy accessibility to downtown, as well as a myriad of cultural offerings and fine restaurants within walking distance.

Country Club. Among Denver's more expensive real estate is the Country Club neighborhood on the south, near the Denver Country Club. City Park West, home to several historic residences that date back to the region's 19th century "silver boom," is commanding increasingly higher prices of late.

Cherry Creek/Hilltop. Cherry Creek offers a variety of moderate to large, upscale single-family homes, as well as pricey condos and an abundance of shopping opportunities. West of Cherry Creek is Hilltop, also considered prestigious, and commanding home and condo prices in the $300s and above. Far Northeast Denver -- particularly the neighborhoods of Montbello, Gateway and Green Valley Ranch -- are enjoying recent growth due to the still relatively new Denver International Airport. Within this region, residents enjoy the best of all worlds: close proximity to the airport (although some have complained about noise), plenty of open space, low crime, mountain views, the new Green Valley Ranch 18-hole golf course, and frequent visits by deer, eagles, even an occasional coyote.

Gateway. In particular, developers have their eyes on Gateway, which borders Denver International Airport on the north. Referred to as Denver's "first 21st century neighborhood," Gateway has been planned as a community with strong economic ties to the airport that it borders. Single-family development continues here, along with the $1 billion Denver International Business Center.

While the city experienced its share of frustrations surrounding the opening of Denver International Airport in 1995, the tide has turned, and now it appears that this gateway to the west is giving Denver's businesses and its real estate market a boost. The Mile-High City is continuing its upward climb.

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Published: August 20, 1998

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