Perfectly placed at the foot of the Rockies, Denver is surrounded by endless opportunities for adventure and entertainment. Enjoying the wonders of the outdoors or local hotspots is a favorite pastime of many. Whether you are an outdoor adventurer or closet tourist, living downtown in a loft or condo means you have the ability to pick up and go at a moment’s notice. Just travel a few miles in any direction and you too can have the day trip of your dreams.

Up, Up and Away in the Mountains

Make your way to the top of the world by simply starting your car and driving 60 miles west of Denver to the beautiful Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Open the Friday before Labor Day and closing the first Monday in October, the highest paved auto road in North America makes an amazing climb to the 14,260 ft. summit. To scale this great mountain, bring $10 for a pass, a warm jacket and remember to check the weather conditions before you go, because snow happens, even in August.

Make Tracks in Georgetown

Founded as a mining camp in 1859, this wonderful little mountain town continues to attract people by its charm and historical buildings. Snuggled into the surrounding peaks, this former gold and silver mining community is the home of wonderful antique stores, quaint shops and the incredible Georgetown Loop Railroad. Open May through December, take a trip back in time on this narrow gauge railroad and enjoy some amazing sights accessible only from the train.

Suds, Pubs and Breweries

Perhaps history and heights isn’t your cup of tea and you crave something of a different flavor. Enjoy a different type of adventure by exploring some of the great breweries within the Denver area. Wynkoop Brewing Company is the oldest brewpub in Colorado and started by the State Governor John Hickenlooper. Enjoy the sights and bustle of Union Station while discovering some of the tasty house ales and beers. The Great Divide Brewing Tap Room is the go-to place for many local beer lovers and brew enthusiasts. If you’re looking for something on a larger scale, visit Coors Brewery in Golden. Brewing up to 22 million barrels a year, it is the largest single-site brewer in the world and offers tours year round.

Time to Get Going

This is just a small sampling of the endless journeys and opportunities for discovery within or just outside of the metro. As a loft or condo owner you can relax knowing the grass doesn’t need to be mowed and the hedges are someone else’s responsibility so there is no excuse to stay cooped up. So, get out, have fun, and return home with great photos and tales for your envious friends.

If the allure of easy urban living is occupying your thoughts, please give us a call at New Era Realty at 303-991-9878. Our team would be glad to help you find the perfect place for your new home base.

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A Car2Go on Every Block

There is a new trend taking over Denver and it is one that you have probably seen throughout Downtown.  Car2Go has brought Denver a fleet of their smart cars in an effort to take the leading position as Denver’s go to Car Share Program.

They just might succeed, because compared with other car share programs they have something fairly unique to offer. They have engineered a system built around convenience. They seem to be doing it well.

Car sharing has taken several forms over the past few years as various companies have brought their model here to Denver. But similar to B-cycle the first models were built around the idea that car travelers would pick up and drop off their vehicles at a handy local station.

Car2Go has taken it one step better by removing the station entirely. Car2Go vehicles are simply left wherever you end up driving to. To pick up your Car2Go Vehicle you pull up their handy mobile application and find the closest vehicle. We did a little testing around the Denver neighborhoods and found tons of available vehicles within no more than a few blocks at any time.

We don’t know exactly how many new Car2Go vehicles have hit the ground here in Denver (if you know we’d love to find out) but there have to be a LOT!  From West Highland to Wash Park, Golden Triangle to Downtown…. There are many cars.

What Car Sharing Costs

When we look at the cost of car sharing versus owning a traditional car the numbers start to make sense very quickly.  At just $0.38 per minute with a low max per hour of just $13.99 that makes it more affordable than the combined cost of a car payment, maintenance, gasoline, insurance, and all the other associated costs of car ownership.

And if you followed our earlier post on how to pick the best parking space you know that just adding a parking spot to your condo purchase could run anywhere from $15,000 to over $50,000.  You thought the car was expensive… you might end up paying more for the parking space.

Many Car Optional Choices

Congratulations Denver, the new Car2Go sharing service might be the added ingredient to allow you to live car free.  With our rapidly growing light rail network, the new bus and shuttle lines, B-Cycle and bicycle lanes, and your own two feet the Car2Go addition  means there is a great support network for those who don’t have a car in Denver.

What’s next… we can’t wait to see.

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How the pricing works

Buildings such as the Glass House, SPIRE and other new developments offered an interesting aspect to home buying…. Which space to buy. While with existing condos you don’t usually have a choice, new developments offer a chance to buy the exact spot that meets your needs and your budget. Developers often price the parking the same way they price the condos, the higher up in the building you are the more expensive the space is priced. Those parking spaces that offer just one turn or two (lower floors) were priced at the highest amounts, often as high as $50K. Parking spaces higher in the building offered cheaper prices, sometimes as low as $15k, but involved making many turns through the building up through the 7th or 8th floors.

How much are all those turns worth… that depends

Often it is best to seek the least expensive parking in the building. Sure, those premium spots are helpful but are they really worth that amount of premium? Maybe not. For example the lower floors may have a shorter trip inside the building, but they often mean waiting for folks to pass by in order to back out. Little details… but sometimes being even a few floors up can mean fewer headaches.

Other things to consider

What about the placement of the parking space? Do you want to be next to a column, in between two other spaces, or in a corner?  Look closely at the parking map (if you are buying of plans) and consider whether you are talking about a 4 point turn every time you pull in our out. Spaces in the middle of a row can be easier to pull in and out of. You will of course master the turns after a bit of practice, but why make it more difficult to begin with.

Is the parking spot next to a wall where the car door squeeze or turn radius is tight? What about the external ventilation and fans… you might just be in the dustiest corner of the garage. Think about all these aspects or talk with your New Era Realty agent before you make that purchase decision. Are you close to the best door for your elevator tower or are you going to be carrying groceries half a block inside the building. What is the most convenient spot for your unit. You spend a great deal of time picking the optimal residence, don’t stop being choosy when it comes to something you may use daily.

And lets talk about inclines. From the drawings, few buyers notice if they are parked on a slant. That can make a small difference when it comes to resting that grocery cart (often included in high rise buildings) to unload your groceries. Do you want to be parked on the flat section… most likely unless the location of the incline spot is that much better.

Picking parking is just one element of your home. All our New Era Realty agents consider everything about your home purchase.  Contact our Downtown Denver experts today and learn what else we can share that may affect your purchase decisions.

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“We design, draft and attach the precast façade, the exterior of the building which is a concrete wall system that hangs off the main structure,” explains Kevin Potts who is a draft and detailer and co-owner of Denver West Design, a precast concrete design and detailing firm. “Colorado is big on precast concrete.”

Denver West Design has been contracted by Rocky Mountain Prestress for the Union Station Project. “We do all the design phase. Rocky Mountain basically has all the labor and equipment. They are a sub of the contract, manufacturing the precast, we are hired for the designing and detail following an architect’s drawing. We do structures too, but we build each piece at a separate plant and ship it and stack pieces, like a tinker toy that we build, design and hang each piece.”

Denver West Design has been around since 2005. Many of the people Denver West Design contracts to help them, were employees for the Rocky Mountain Precast who were either laid off or quit. The company was started by two friends of Kevin and his partner who once were also employed by Rocky Mountain Precast but who went on their own. They did well; then, the recession hit and their friends of 15 years had to get jobs. Kevin and his partner came into the chance because they were let go by Rocky Mountain Precast. The company was pretty much handed to them two years ago. “He emptied the check account, handed over the older computers. It worked out well and we owe these guy. Someday.”

The structure of Denver West Design is two guys making their own, but working under the S Corporation tax breaks, contracting under a corporation, but working individually; unlike many precast who work from home. Overhead is minimal with each splitting rent, electricity, utilities. It’s a good format and the way of the future where five people work, each an individual seeking out their own way under the Denver West Design umbrella and sometimes sharing the labor of a larger project.

“You do work 60, 70 hour weeks when you have work, because you take it. So you do end up working harder, but you can take vacations when you please. Right now we are turning down work, our backlog extends six months and other precast companies are also backlogged.”

But there’s no security, next year there may not be any work. The market is still very volatile.  But this year’s got plenty of work and Potts is saving for the rainy day.

The Union Station Project is big with lots of labor and attention to art. Denver West Design has been on this project since November of last year. The project ends on the first quarter next year, and the building opens for residents in 2015. But the Union Station Project is still in its designing phase and just starting to erect the building.

“Our business has increased 50 percent. The company is a single worker project. There was a big jump in business, as much as we can handle. Two people is enough for now… to hire would require a major contract.”

New Era Realty is excited to find you a place in the Union Station Building, but don’t wait until 2015. 

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The new “Rocky Mountain High” for downtown Denver is upscale, high-rise condos and lofts that decorate Denver’s skyline. From high-rises in LoDo, Riverfront, Uptown and Downtown, Denverites like their altitude when it comes to living the life of luxury in the Mile High City.

As popular developments like the Four Seasons Private Residences and the Spire buildings reach sell out status, the supply of new downtown Denver condos and lofts is vanishing into thin air. Recent market figures for Denver are showing a dip in condo sales by 12 percent, due to less than desirable new condo inventory levels that can’t keep up with strong buyer demand citywide.

“There’s an increase in demand for high-end amenity properties in downtown Denver,” said John Stegner, MBA, broker/owner at New Era Realty. “The downtown Denver condo and loft lifestyle is highly sought after because it’s much greener to live close to where you work. When you live downtown, you’re also within walking distance to some of the best cultural attractions and nightlife venues in the country.”

Downtown Denver Condo Demand Reaching New Heights

As Baby Boomers downsize from their single family suburban homes to maintenance-free condo living and 20- to 30-year old professionals opt for high-rise housing close to where the action is both professionally and socially, the downtown Denver scene is where Coloradoans want to live. These leading trends, as well as increases in rental rates nationally, should prompt developers to jump on building the next Denver high-rise condo building that appeals to both of these hot condo buyer demographics.

“Condo buyers are looking for luxurious accommodations combined with upscale amenities,” Stegner said. “Today’s high-rise condo owners expect first-class workout facilities, rooftop pool decks and concierge services at their fingertips without the added expense and maintenance responsibilities.”

The Race is On for New Downtown Developments

To meet Denver’s urban lifestyle demands, the downtown market is ready for developers to forge ahead on building the next new high-rise in the city. The big question is, “Who will break ground first and tap into the high demand for upscale, luxury living in Denver?”

One local developer, Colorado-based McWhinney, may be taking aim at hitting the downtown Denver condo sweet spot as the company recently released reports that it is partnering with Grand American, Inc. to redevelop the Historic Windsor Dairy Block in Denver’s LoDo neighborhood. Located between 18th/19th and Blake/Wazee Streets, McWhinney plans to revitalize this LoDo street block with a mixed-use development of nearly 325,000 square feet that will include office, retail and multi-family uses with private, on-site, underground parking. When completed, residents will be within walking distance to many of downtown’s vibrant attractions and amenities, including Coors Field and the newly renovated Union Station complex.

This might just be the start of Denver’s next high-rise success story. Stay tuned!

Beat the Wait by Staying on the Rocky Top of the Market

If you are like many Denver residents who are waiting to call a new downtown condo home, you don’t have a lot of options as of yet. But don’t be discouraged. We are optimistically hopeful that the next new Denver condo tower will be on the rise soon. In the meantime, the Denver condo and loft experts at New Era Realty will help you stay up-to-date on the latest high-rise developments across the Mile High City.

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As old school flat parking lots in downtown Denver are transformed into high rise new school lofts and condos throughout the city, the options for urban, high class living are becoming more prevalent throughout the Mile High City. Whether you are an early age professional who wants to live near work and among the downtown Denver nightlife or a Baby Boomer who is looking to downsize and simplify life while enjoying the condo/loft lifestyle and amenities, Denver offers various condo and loft options to fit the lifestyle for all ages and stages of life.

The Ballpark Neighborhood is Where Summer Action Happens for the Young Urban Crowd

Summertime in the Rockies is when action in the Ballpark Neighborhood heats up with music festivals, summer markets, baseball games and rooftop patios galore. The lure of local sports bars, night clubs and brew pubs attract the younger urbanite crowd who thrives on action and wants to live in the heart of sporting events, nightlife and a mix of upscale and casual eateries. Blake Street Lofts at 2560 Blake Street are what the Ballpark neighborhood is all about as residents can walk to an afternoon game at Coors Field, enjoy an afternoon brew at one of the many local microbreweries that call the Ballpark neighborhood home, and host summer weekend get-togethers with friends at The Lofts’ roof top deck BBQ, hot tub and game room amenities.

LoDo and LoHi Cater to Urban-Style Executive Professionals

LoDo is the epicenter of business, entertainment, sporting events and shopping. True urbanite professionals like to call LoDo home due to its proximity to many of the top downtown Denver companies, its vibrant nightlife and 24x7 metro city action. Hot LoDo condos for Denver’s executive professionals include the Ice House Lofts (1801 Wynkoop Street) with balconies, rooftop terraces and a gym, One Wynkoop Plaza (1735 19th Street) with luxury penthouses, spectacular views and a central location that can’t be beat, and 1430 Blake penthouse style lofts.

Located just west of downtown and connected to the hustle and bustle of city life via the Highlands pedestrian bridge is LoDo’s sister neighborhood, LoHi (Lower Highlands). LoHi is one of the hottest neighborhoods for downtown professionals as this hip and trendy neighborhood offers a mix of high-end condos, townhomes and lofts that are packed with amenities, as well as some of the best restaurants, bars and rooftop patios in the city. Some of the best upscale, urban properties that feature executive style amenities such as rooftop decks, clubhouses and fitness rooms include the Highland Bridge Lofts (16th and Central), LoHi Row (West 32nd Ave.) and 1736 Boulder five-story condo and loft building.

Lowry and Stapleton Offer Family-Friendly Condo Living with Action-Packed Amenities

Within 15 minutes of downtown, the Stapleton and Lowry neighborhoods are family-oriented communities that offer everything from high-end condos to luxury custom homes that are perfect for active families. Packed with amenities, these two nationally popular neighborhoods attract Denver families with unique town centers that are home to local restaurants, coffee shops and retail shopping, as well as various recreational centers, sports complexes, swimming pools and miles of nature trails and parks to keep Denver’s active families happily entertained.

Baby Boomers Flock to the Downtown Condo and Loft Lifestyle

As the Baby Boomer capital of America, Denver’s downtown condos and lofts offer urban living amenities and proximity of location that retiring Boomers are opting for as they transition to the next phase of their lives. Condo living appeals to today’s active Baby Boomers because they can spend more time enjoying what they love – the great Denver trail systems, exquisite dining options or the world-class Denver Performing Arts Center – and less time on home upkeep, maintenance and stress. With HOAs covering the labor intensive maintenance of home ownership, such as snow removal in the winter and lawn/garden care in the summer, and offering luxury amenities such as rooftop swimming pools, fitness centers and even community gardens, downtown condo living is a desirable option for today’s Baby Boomer community. The Brooks Towers Lofts in Downtown are centrally located near the Performing Arts Center and Denver Cadillac Lofts in the Golden Triangle scores a 95 in walkability with various restaurants and galleries at your doorstep.

If you are ready to enjoy the condo and loft lifestyle this summer, New Era Realty can help you find the best neighborhood and condo building for all ages and stages of life. 

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Hello Denver! The summers in Denver are filled with fun activities and all of us at New Era Realty love to share our favorites with you. You may not know this about our team, but we have a number of HUGE bicycle enthusiasts. From Road biking to Mountain biking our team loves to travel on two wheels. So, we thought it was perfect to share information about next weeks upcoming Bike to Work Day in Denver.

History of Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day was originated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 and is a part of Bike-to-Work Week, which is in turn part of National Bike Month. It has evolved over the decades to encourage people to enjoy bicycle commuting. It’s easy to understand why bike community is encouraged. Cities across the nation wrestle with issues tied to traffic congestion, parking issues, and of course the emissions from thousands of vehicles every day. We don’t know what the statistics are, but certainly some of the individuals who give Bike commuting a try may choose to do it again. It can be addictive.

Denver’s Bike to Work Day

Our great city does an awesome job taking care of bike commuters on Bike to work day. Throughout the city (actually the state) there are going to be a number of stations serving up breakfast, coffee, and water for bikers to stop and enjoy along the way. Bike to work day has evolved into a social gathering throughout the city. Which brings us to one of the funnest parts of Bike to work day… the group rides.

Group rides are listed on their website and are set up as huge bicycle shuttle groups from one end of our city to the other. For those not sure the best way to get from home to work, these group rides exist so new riders only have to find their way to the starting point and then can enjoy a nice group guided ride. Here are those group rides.

After Work Biker’s Bash

After a great day of riding you deserve to celebrate. Your biking efforts may have done a little good for the planet, and for your waistline. So the folks at Bike to Work Day make sure there are plenty of ways to celebrate at the end of the day.

One such celebration is just steps from our New Era Realty LoHi office at the Fifth Annual Cactus Bike to Work Day BASH!   With food, drink and music it is a fun spot to relax and share your day’s adventures with fellow bikers.

Don’t forget that if you don’t have a bike there are plenty of B-Cycle stations throughout our city to help you on your journey.   Denver is a very bike friendly city and this might just be your chance to take the bicycle lifestyle for a test drive.

If you love it, just contact anyone on the New Era Realty team and we can help you find a great Downtown Denver loft or condo conveniently located near a bike path or on any of the city’s new bike friendly roads.  

Cheers!  See you on the trail.

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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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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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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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