Five Points to Buy a Home in the Harlem of the West: Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz

When you think of jazz, New Orleans obviously comes to mind. But Denver also played a pivotal roll in jazz’s history. From the early 1930s, jazz has been a fiber in the knitting of Denver’s history. Of course, Five Points is a major factor in all this history. A predominately black neighborhood, Five Points allotted hotels like the Rossonian and Benny Hooper’s Casino, the Rainbow Lounge and Lil’s that gave a place for the early black jazz musician to stay. But their playing didn’t end when they left the white clubs. The real jazz began in those late night sessions in Five Points. These became the launching places for bebop and hard bop. Those after-hours sessions became well known and allured more jazz musicians to play in Denver. That jazz development in Denver continued to evolve into the R & B with names like Louis Jordan and Charlie Brown.

Denver’s demographics also may have played a roll. Moving across the country, Denver became a good stopping point for those long trips west or east heading from and to St. Louis or Texas. One of the first jazz big names to play in Denver was Benny Goodman who played at Elitch’s in the 1930s.

KUVO and Denver's Carlos Lando

Such is the influence of jazz in Denver that we have great icons like my friend Carlos Lando. Carlos is the program director of Jazz89 KUVO(89.3 FM), the long standing number one jazz station in the nation. Icons like Carlos Lando are not to be brushed off. Lando has spent over 30 years accumulating interviews with the greats like Count Basie, Dexter Gordon, Betty Carter and countless others. He is a walking, breathing bible of jazz living in Denver.

Carlos Lando and KUVO are contemporary testaments to Denver’s long history that began to take off in the late 30s and 40s and was in full swing by the 1950s as Jack Kerouac documented in his book, On the Road. Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole all played in Denver. Today, the residuals of that era can be found all around us with events like Five Points Jazz Fest, Jazz in the City and Jazz Fest Denver. And with clubs like Dazzle, the historical Chapultepec featuring contemporary jazz greats like Pat Bianchi, Ken Walker and the Sextet, Convergence, Hugh Ragin, Chie Imaizumi, 9th & Lincoln Orchestra, the Denver Jazz Orchestra, Ultraphonic and Dianne Reeves, Denver’s improvisational roll continues to be felt.

So if you’re looking for a home with color and history, ask New Era Realty about their list of homes in the Harlem of the West, familiarly known to us as Five Points.

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A Rare Opportunity to Own Luxury Living at the Four Seasons Denver

The most luxurious residential tower in Downtown Denver is the recently constructed Four Seasons. This amazing destination offers all the signature amenities of a Four Seasons in one of the best locations in the city. The only problem is the building has been entirely sold out. For the first time since the initial sell out a residence is available to own… and it is one of the best.

Residence offers Rare and Breathtaking Features

Four Seasons 2420 is now on the market, and it won’t last long. This residence offers over 3000 square feet in a beautiful 3 Bedrooms, 3 ½ bath spacious floor plan. Four Seasons finishes are simply amazing, with interior design finishes and craftsmanship of the highest quality. The interior finishes include beautiful Moen floors, Sub Zero appliances, fireplace, and a custom entertainment center. Huge windows throughout give the residence breathtaking views of our Denver skyline.  Every aspect of this residence was designed to enjoy your Downtown Denver lifestyle.

It gets better. Four Seasons 2420 offers one of the extremely rare oversized terrace spaces. With approximately 500 square feet of heated and entertainment wired outdoor space this residence stands above the rest. Enjoy year round entertaining or simple relaxation from your private luxury terrace.

Enjoy Unparalleled Amenities

Few names evoke the essence of service like Four Seasons. At Four Seasons Residences you have access to the expansive list of amenities. Your unparalleled lifestyle includes the Four Seasons Spa, two state of the art fitness centre facilities (one for owners only), a luxury rooftop terrace with a pool and lushly landscaped oasis lounge, and concierge services. The best amenities within the entire city of are there for your enjoyment.

Of course while it may be tempting to stay in and enjoy all that the Four Seasons has to offer, the entire entertainment of Denver is just outside your front door. Located in the heart of Denver’s Theater District and steps from the 16th Street Mall the Fours Seasons Location offers shows, cafes, bistros, events, shopping and more in every direction.  

Endless Opportunites Await you at this Fantastic Denver Location

The 14th Street location that this residence calls home is the new Ambassador Street of Denver, offering expanded sidewalks, new architecture design, and outdoor patios for the rapidly expanding venue of eateries and award winning restaurants. With Light Rail and the 16th Street Shuttle just steps away residents have easy access to travel and explore Denver’s many great venues and neighborhoods. The location is simply amazing.  

Four Seasons 2420 brings everything together. Incredible location, amazing design and interiors, and spectacular amenities create the ideal residence for enjoying all that Denver has to offer. Call John Stegner at 303-522-7746 today for a private showing and learn about this rare and exclusive opportunity. For a virtual tour click here.

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Slide to the East Side

Uptown, or East Side, is perhaps the most eclectic of all the Denver downtown neighborhoods. While Five Points and its near surrounding area claims Denver’s most genealogically diverse neighborhood with much of Denver’s history, Uptown is the oldest residential neighborhood. It also has the lowest in housing prices in all the downtown neighborhoods.

Some of its character is being transformed as Uptown goes through a bit of gentrification and old houses are being torn down for new condominiums. But Uptown hasn’t lost its soul. Amongst its Victorian houses, Uptown boasts the largest collection of Queen Ann houses in a single neighborhood in the nation.   

Summer Fun in Denver's Oldest Neighborhood

Along its Eastern border, 17th Street, known as restaurant row, an eclectic range of ethnic cuisine and bars bring together an area of Denver’s hippest and diversified neighborhoods. Uptown flanked by City Park, the largest green area in downtown where the great City Park Jazz is held, the exceptional Black Arts Festival and all-round-city outdoors fun. City Park is a great place to cool off during the mid-summer hot days with great trees all over. It’s also close to the Denver Zoo, the Natural History Museum. It’s not far from Cheeseman Park or Botanic Gardens.  You can ride many of City Park’s bike paths or peddle on the water on a paddle boat ride on its small pond. If you’re a golfer, you’re steps away from the Denver City Park Golf Course, open year round (weather permitting). Denver City Park Golf Course also offers many free fun activities for all ages.  

The area is full of unique boutiques and shops and Uptowns isn’t far from Cherry Creek if you’re looking for something a little more posh. Uptown is surrounded by several public schools, churches and unique smaller private and specialized schools for culinary or massage courses.

It’s a walk or bike ride from everything you love about Denver, plus you gain a unique opportunity to be part of the innovation and refurbishing of Denver’s oldest neighborhood.

To find your place in Denver’s renewing history, call New Era Realty for a new home in an old, but exciting neighborhood.

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Denver Development is City Wide

It seems that the Denver Skyline is filled with Cranes as the progress of construction continues to bring new development to our city. While new buildings both for sale and for rent continue to be built, the RTD FasTracks network is rapidly coming to life connecting every corner of our city.

Denver is growing in so many great ways we thought it might be good to do a recap of some of the developments.

Today in the News:  9th and Colorado

Today in the Denver Post on of the top stories covers the “Denver Urban Renewal Authority is seeking to establish an urban redevelopment zone at the site of the old University of Colorado hospital on Ninth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.”   This project could be a huge development for Denver with 41 acres in discussion for redevelopment over 6 years.

City planners, if they are brought in, could take this project to a great new level with more of a master planned approach.  New Street designs, bike lanes, and other city improvements with a mixed-use design could create a great new Downtown Denver neighborhood.

Union Station Neighborhood Development

Speaking of master planned… The new Union Station Neighborhood is starting to look like an architectural gem. The main RTD design areas near completion with landscaping in full bloom, the main train structure (that large white architectural metal skeleton) is getting close to completion, and developers are adding glass and steel mid-rise buildings to the skyline.  

The transit is running, the next evolution will be when the office buildings fill with activity and the new Union Station Hotel project opens its doors for visitors and patrons to the planned restaurants and eateries.

Exciting things happening in Downtown…

Sun Valley “Riverfront Style” Development with Great Denver Views

If you haven’t been following the news in Sun Valley then you may not know that a new Riverfront style development project is underway.  We mean Riverfront as in “on the River”, not the luxury condos of the Riverfront Park Neighborhood… yet.

This area that could easily become the new Stadium District has a new Urban plan underway and developers and speculators seem to be door knocking to find available land and properties.  Will this be the next secret neighborhood in to “Pop” in Denver… perhaps.  It is located right next to LoHi and has some incredible city views.  We certainly put this on the one to watch.  

These are just a few of the new updates for Denver this week.  Contact anyone on the New Era Realty Team today and learn about everything happening in Denver.

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Italian Space Age, Space Saving Furniture

Living downtown often means that the convenience of place becomes a sacrifice of space. Finding conventional furniture to fit into tight, awkward architectural fits from converted buildings or houses is more than a challenge. We stack, build shelves, place furniture in awkward positions to make them fit, and then have to squeeze by any table that might be large enough for four — forget six chairs. Above all, the sacrifices amount to a fine furniture clutter or a dismal display of minimalism with no convenience for comfort.

The Italian-Designed Space Saving Furniture by Clei

Imported by Resource Furniture, Clei is more than just a solution, it’s downright awesome. They are a revolution in space saving design furniture. With armoires that unfold into bunk beds, small coffee tables that rise into dining room tables or desks that with a flick of a button turn into beds without even having to remove what is on the desk top, Clei is a fine-furniture revelation. The depth of space transformed from the systems is more than half of the traditional or conventional Murphy’s bed with style to boot. Shelves that hold up to 40lbs. above a transforming sofa can fold down from the wall without removing a single item to reveal a queen size bed with steamed beach wood slats that are imbedded underneath and form a spring so that the bed remains light, silent, stylish and comfortable. With hydraulics a 400lbs. foldout can be lifted or released with a single finger.

Amazing Ideas for Families Seeking Downtown Denver Space

In the confines of a 200 sq ft apartment, you now can make that tiny second bedroom into a two kids’ bedroom. A small room can adequately remain a play room until bedtime. Then like origami, desks, shelves or armoires fold out to a bunk bed for a comfortable sleeping space.

Imagine you’re having guests from out of town coming to your downtown, 200 sq ft studio that is hip, stylish and finally complete. Your guests sit at the coffee table having a few drinks while you cook dinner. When dinner is ready, and it’s time to set the table, you reach under the coffee table, press a tiny button and up pops a secret: a folded table within that unfolds into your dining room table. When dinners finished, it’s late and time to crash, you simply remove the cushions from the couch, press a button like some haunted-house-secrete-passage-bookshelf and down comes a queen bed, light, luxurious and especially comfortable. Without removing a single book, photo or knickknack, it all simply folds within itself.

For New Era Realty and small families seeking a downtown space, it’s a dream come true. A family of four or three can now have access to smaller apartments and utilize the space as needed and still keep it downtown posh.

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Denver’s Apartment Boom Might Mean Good Things for Homeowners

Apartment Construction on the Rise

If you take a tour around Downtown Denver you will see a lot of construction underway. But whether it’s a crane in the sky or a concrete pour, most of the larger projects are not about new residential housing, but instead apartments.

In Union Station, the site that was once thought to be a project similar to Glass House, construction is underway on City House, an apartment building. In LoHi, across from Lola and Vita, a prime location is now alive with renters in a large scale apartment complex. Riverfront Park boast two new Apartment buildings with the newly completed phase of the Manhattan and the new AMLI under construction.  

Take your pick of any Denver neighborhood and you are likely to see the major projects focused on apartment construction. The reasons why are easy… lenders become much more willing to loan developers funding for apartment projects due to Denver’s rising rental rates. But all those parcels that have been assigned to apartment projects mean less inventory that could have been residential.

Being a Homeowner in Denver just became a better decision

Some of the homeowners we’ve spoken with couldn’t be happier. With an already rapidly moving market sellers are able to command higher prices on their homes. With no new inventory coming on the market, those who own in downtown areas are watching as their real estate becomes even more valuable.

We recently had a buyer with a focus on Riverfront Park. If the parcels that are now being developed would have been residential there would have been more available inventory for the neighborhood competing with existing listings.  

When SPIRE was being built (and sold) the inventory on the market created a nice price opportunity. With no new high rise residential buildings underway inventory, and prices, have increased.

But these are just the kind of market conditions that generate the needed demand for a developer to begin a new high rise in Denver.  Every time our average price per square foot goes up both lenders and developers take note. How far away are we from a market where a new high rise is a better investment than a new apartment building... we have some guesses but so much depends upon the position those developers are currently in.

Fortunately, there are a large number of smaller development projects going on throughout the city.  They move quickly, and the New Era Realty team is focused on these projects so our clients can be better informed in this exciting market.

To learn more about how New Era Realty can help you find your dream home or condo, or to learn what your home might be worth, contact anyone on the New Era Realty team today.

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Great Things to Do this Memorial Day Weekend

The weather forecast for Denver this coming Memorial Day weekend looks great so we thought we might share a few highlights of some of our favorite things to do with a 3 Day Holiday Weekend! Whether it’s health, music, the arts… there is a little something for everyone.

The Bolder Boulder – Monday

The Bolder Boulder 10K is considered to be one of the most popular races in the entire country… maybe the world.   Runners enjoy the spectacular mountain and flatiron views, live bands, belly dancers, and a triumphant finish running into the University stadium.

Registration is open all the way up until the day of so it’s not to late to do something healthy on Memorial day, and they have designated memorial bib options to recognize someone in your life. 

The Day of Rock – Sunday

Feel like some great music for a great cause. Celebrating their fifth year Denver Day of Rock takes over the 16th Street mall for a full day rock concert.  Sponsored by Newmont Mining, Denver’s Day of Rock is a fundraising event for Concert for Kids, a Denver-based, non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 50 children’s charities.

Downtown Denver Arts Festival – May 24th – 26th

Every Memorial Day weekend the Denver Performing Arts Center Complex sets up for the Downtown Denver Arts Festival. The fine art and fine craft exhibition features some of Colorado's and the nation's best artists with over 150,000 people expected to attend.

Water World Opening Weekend – Sunday

Looking for something family friendly to do this weekend. With a nice weather forecast don’t forget that it is Water World’s opening weekend. Celebrate opening weekend at Denver's 67-acre water park, home to more than 65 aquatic attractions.

Elitch Gardens

It’s amazing how often we forget that Denver has a great amusement park right in the heart of our city and just footsteps from the light rail. All the rides look to be up and running and waiting for a nice family friendly fun day this weekend.  Visit Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park website for more details.

Memorial Day Parade and Tribute Ceremony – May 25th

Let’s not forget the most important event of this Memorial Day weekend by attending the parade and tribute that honors our fallen heroes. Denver will be commemorating those who lost their lives while serving our country during the Denver Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25 at 10 a.m. The parade is followed by the Veterans Memorial Day Tribute at the Veterans Monument. The parade will be held in Downtown Denver in and around Civic Center Park. For details and updates visit their webpage here.

All of us at New Era Realty wish you a very happy and safe holiday weekend.

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A Look at Some of the Best Denver Neighborhoods

Denver is not just amazing, it’s home

The Hip Highlands

Northwest of Denver, between I-25 and Federal, south of West 38th Avenue and north of 29th Avenue.

Recognized in 2012 by Forbes as 17th on its list for America’s Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods, Highlands has filled its 250-acres with stylish apartments by nationally known architects, with trendy restaurants, bars, shops, boutiques, art galleries and three diverse commercial districts. It continues to grow and reenergize its highly spirited appeal. This is perhaps the most culturally eclectic of all the neighborhoods giving way to longstanding Caribbean, Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinian and Italian family restaurants. It also boasts fine dining and performing arts along its bungalow-style houses. You can enjoy its three parks, Sloan’s Lake where the annual Dragon Boat Festival celebrates their Asian culture, the Rocky Mountain Lake and Berkley Park.

When you’re ready to get out of the neighborhood for a little city excitement, just walk across the Highland Pedestrian Bridge into LoDo.

Lower Downtown (Lodo)

20th and Blake, contiguous to Larimer Square at 15th and Larimer.

With Coors Field as its crown, this once hard neighborhood filled with warehouses has transformed into a jumping nightlife of 90 plus brewpubs, sports bars and cafés. Just beyond its enterprising nightlife is the largest concentration of Victorian and turn-of-the-century architecture in the country. Close to LoDo is the longstanding Union Station where Denver’s 120-mile Light Rail network comes together allowing easy access for those living in the suburbs. There is Elitch Gardens, the only downtown amusement park, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the massive REI flagship store, as well as the Pepsi Center where you can cheer on the Nuggets or the Avalanche.

And when you’re ready to cool things down, just jump on a rentable Denver B-Cycle and ride along the 22-mile Cherry Creek Bike Path into Cherry Creek.

Cherry Creek

3.5 miles from downtown Denver along 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Avenues, from University to Steele Street.

The cheeriest of all the neighborhoods, Cherry Creek is where fashion can be bought from the 320 or so independently owned shops, boutiques, galleries as well as the stylish shopping center with 160 brand name stores. It’s home to some of the finest upscale restaurants and spas and very walkable along posh public art on tree-lined streets and picturesque gardens that become the backdrop for the 4th of July weekend Cherry Creek Arts Festival.

Golden Triangle/Capitol Hill

Along Lincoln, Speer , Colfax and 13th Avenue

But if its art you’re looking for, Golden Triangle/Capitol Hill is the museum district with the Denver Art Museum, Buyers-Evans House Museum, Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art, the Molly Brown house, Denver Firefighters Museum, the History Colorado Center and the Clyfford Still Museum, a truly special place if you’re into modern art. You don’t even have to enter a museum to experience art.  In this small area world-renowned architects Michael Graves, Gio Ponti, I.M. Pei, and Daniel Libeskind showcase their buildings.

It’s where the Capitol Building is located, the Civic Center and the Mayor’s Mansion all in the traditional Jeffersonian architecture. Of course, like all of Denver, it’s hip and filled with great restaurants, bars, clubs and coffee shops. You’ll also find one of the most famous Jazz clubs, Dazzle.

These are just some of the fine neighborhoods New Era Realty can find you a home.

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Pool Season opens for Downtown Denver’s Glass House

Riverfront Park’s Amenity Rich Building

The month of May means something special to many Downtown Denver condo and high rise residents… pool season starts.  The first weekend in May is the traditional opening of the Glass House pool, and even with snow falling on May 1st the pool was uncovered for it’s residents.

With over 300 days of sunshine and high summer temperatures it makes sense that one of the most sought after building amenities for high rise living is a swimming pool. For full time residents a pool is a place to relax on the weekends, a site to gather with friends and pay tribute to the sun gods.  For those on the investment side, a pool amenity can mean much greater demand and in turn much higher rental rates.

Of course our single family homeowners might opt for a pool as well.  But the condo lifestyle means no maintenance, no cleaning, and no fuss.  It is like living at your favorite resort… at least for several months every year.

Denver’s Pool Friendly Buildings

But the Glass House isn’t the only downtown building to offer a nice swimming pool for it’s homeowners.  In fact many other buildings offer year round swimming (so you don’t have to wait for the spring) and/or hot tubs in the winter.

SPIRE, Denver’s newest address offers two different pool spaces and two hot tubs, both open year round. But in terms of swimming, the pools may be year round but they aren’t quite large enough to do your fitness training laps.  Some residents of SPIRE consider the pools the perfect size for a quick dip to cool off on a hot summer day. The approach at SPIRE seems to be more focused on making sure enough space exists on the huge outdoor spaces for more chairs, grills, and gathering areas. Based on sales we have worked with on this building, it seems their formula is popular.

ONE Lincoln, just down the street and also in the downtown area offers on it’s Sun deck an Infinity edge pool, Jacuzzi, 2 outdoor BBQ’s and a fireplace.  Another great Denver spot to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

Of course this just highlights a few of the most popular pool amenity rich buildings in Downtown Denver.  Some of the more modern buildings have a pool feature because developers realized what a huge lifestyle addition a pool can be.  To learn more about all of Downtown Denver’s amenity rich buildings or just the ones that allow you to take a dip in the Summer please contact any member of the New Era Realty team today.

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Denver Cruisers 2013 Schedule

Spring isn't just about flowers. It means enjoying all that Denver has to offer in our great city that offers over 300+ days of sunshine. From running to an after workout beverage (you know what we mean)... Denver is full of fun. One of the most talked about and photographed events in Denver is our own home grown Denver Cruiser Ride. This amazing community events takes place weekly doing a two pedal tour of many favorite pubs and establishments. What's more, they even include costumes so you can put on a creative hat. We are just days away from our first ride with a Hi Ho Silver Theme. If Western isn't your theme... check out the many other choices to enjoy a pedal friendly view of Denver.

Cruiser Ride 2013 Schedule

 

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