HOA’s help to share costs and add benefits

When evaluating a condominium development one factor we  look at very closely is the HOA organization.  Whether it is a duplex with a shared roof or a high rise building in Downtown, the HOA has fees that homeowners pay in to in order to cover common fees, expenses, and amenities.

For some projects this might be as simple as lawn care, insurance, and maintenance.  Larger development projects such as the Four Seasons in Downtown Denver, the Glass House, or Riverfront Tower have more complex fees to cover the operation and annual expenses for the swimming pools, fitness centers, even front desk employees.

In very rare occasions a project may have more than one HOA.  This is often created when a building or a group of buildings are organized together.    

Riverfront Park, the amazing neighborhood nestled between the Lower Highlands (LoHi) and Lower Downtown (LoDo) has one of these master HOA arrangements and our clients looking at this neighborhood often have questions about what they get as part of it.

Because Riverfront Park’s master HOA is so beneficial it is easy for us to explain…

The Amazing Benefits of Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park has a very unique benefit compared to almost any other downtown neighborhood.  Due to the nature of the master HOA funding the neighborhood has a budget to hire off duty police officers and maintenance staff to keep the area clean.  

That means every day, 365 days a year, the neighborhood of Riverfront Park is kept secure and safe, beautiful, and clean.  The flower beds and planters are rotated seasonally.  Trash is picked up.  There is even someone to get access to keys should you lock yourself out. 

The designers even planned for your dog’s happiness

The neighborhood was even planned to be dog friendly (it is on the beautiful green space of Commons Park) for the homeowners.   The Riverfront Park community foundation designed and contributed funds for the creation of the Railyard Dog Park located on 18th street.

All the amenities, planning, and design that make this neighborhood great can only happen with funding.  By creating a master HOA the costs and expenses are spread among the many residents, and each new projects helps to distribute those costs.

Through this combined effort the residents of this terrific downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft neighborhood share the benefits that make Riverfront Park one of the most sought after addresses in Denver.

To learn more about Riverfront Park or any of the amazing Downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft neighborhoods available please contact anyone on the New Era Realty team.

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The Downtown Denver loft lifestyle offers a bird’s eye view to all of the fun and entertaining events that take place in the heart of the Mile High City throughout the year. Denver’s high rise residents get first views of some entertaining events such as:

January’s Stock Show parade

This parade kick off the year as horses and cowboys gallop around Denver’s famous 16th Street Mall area. Livestock and animals line the streets of downtown as they are herded down 17th Street from Wazee Street to Tremont Place.

St Patty’s Day Denver Style

The famous St. Patrick’s Day Celebration that lights the city green with an Irish-inspired parade, a Running of the Green 7K running/walking race and many luck o’ the Irish celebrations in the Downtown and Ballpark Neighborhoods.

Live Music in LoDo

Music is in full swing when weather temperatures rise as local Colorado and Denver bands liven up the LoDo Neighborhoods each summer with free concerts in venues on and around the 16th Street Mall area.

The Napa Valley of Beers

Denver’s annual kick off to the Fall Season celebrates Denver’s love and craft of brewing liquid gold at city-wide celebrations such as the Great American Beer Festival in the Convention Center neighborhood and Denver’s Oktoberfest Celebration in the Ballpark Neighborhood. Known as the Napa Valley of Beers, the popularity of microbreweries has taken over the Denver downtown area with at least a dozen microbreweries and taprooms within walking distance from the most popular Downtown, LoDo, Uptown, Riverfront and Ballpark condo and loft buildings.

Denver Lights Up the Night Year Round

The winter holiday season brings an assortment of lights and decorations to the Denver skyline as Capitol Hill comes alive by hosting a red, green and blue sparkling holiday light display and the Larimer Square area shows off its year-round white strings of cascading decorative lights.

As you can see, there is rarely a dull moment when living in the heart of the Mile High City. Denver’s condo and loft neighborhoods have something to offer everyone who wants to call the city their home.

If you are ready to become a part of the Mile High City action and start living in a more entertaining, up-scale atmosphere, call the condo and loft experts at New Era Reality today. We will help you find the best condo or loft in the Mile High City that fits your desired lifestyle.

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Urban living is starting to take a front seat as the preferred lifestyle choice in metropolitan areas across the country. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, census data released in 2012 found that 27 of the nation’s 51 largest metropolitan areas saw an increased growth in urban areas when compared to their suburban counterparts. In fact, the Denver condo market followed the national trend of gaining popularity as the average condo in the Mile High City increased value by 29 percent in 2012.

But before you trade in the maintenance of a back yard, the various gadgets that pack your two SUV garage and the suburban traffic gridlock for a chic, urban downtown loft, it’s important to take into consideration the pros and cons of living in an upscale, urban condo in the Denver Metro area.

Pro: It’s Where the Action is

Downtown living provides a unique opportunity to be involved in the mix of all of the events Denver’s busy city hosts each year. When residing above the city, condo and loft residents have the unique option to enjoy all of the city’s festivities from the comfort of their balconies or from within the coziness of their large picture window overlooking the city. Instead of braving the cold in the winter or the hot temperatures in the summer to attend one of the many outdoor downtown events, you can take the city’s celebrations to new levels by hosting a celebration viewing party that personalizes the experience for both you and your guests from the comfort of your upscale, trendy loft or condo.

Con: Less Outdoor Space

Many think that living the condo lifestyle means giving up space, parks and outdoor activities. Denver’s extensive park and trail systems, however, offer numerous outdoor access and activities just steps from your condo’s door. The condos and lofts in the Riverfront and Platte Valley Neighborhoods, in particular, offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and all of the amenities of urban living, while being surrounded by outdoor parks and river landscapes to satisfy Coloradoans’ thirst for outdoor activities.

Pro: Everything is within Walking Distance

Downtown living can make your work commute and social engagements a matter of walking blocks, not driving miles. If you work in any of the large or medium-sized companies that call the 16th Street Mall and nearby area their home, you have numerous condo and loft options within blocks of your employer. From the Downtown’s Writers Square, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Spire and Blake Street lofts to LoDo’s Market Street, Wynkoop and Wazee loft options, you are within walking distance to many of the city’s biggest employers, various restaurants and best nightlife options in the city.

As you consider joining the Downtown Denver urban scene, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of living among the Mile High City’s skyline. The experienced condo and loft agents at New Era Reality can help you determine which Denver loft or condo will fit your specific lifestyle.

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New Era Reality knows what an incredible city Denver is. But like all cities, this means congestion, difficult parking, frustrating traffic. But there’s a unique way to get around Denver—bicycles. There are over 500 bicycles at 53 B-stations to be exact.

The Denver B-cycle system was the first large-scale municipal bike sharing system in the United States. And it all started with a pledge in 2007 by Mayor John W. Hickenlooper to make the 2008 Convention “the greenest in the history of mankind”. To date 5,552 rides have been logged in totaling 26,463 miles, burning an estimated 818,899 calories and taking 9.3 metric tons of carbon out of our crisp, blue, Colorado air.

But there’s more to just meeting the whims of a Politian here. It’s fun and there’s something magical about riding around a beautiful city on a bicycle, especially when you don’t have to look or pay for parking. Not only will you save quite a bit of money, but if you live in the downtown area, you could be riding for free.

Here’s how it works. While there are access passes ranging from $8 for 24 hours, $20 for 7 days or $30 for 30 days, you can buy an annual pass for $80.

After you’ve purchased your access pass you are charged a usage fee for each check out. There is no fee if you ride under 30 minutes. After that it’s a $1 fee for 30 to 60 minutes and then a $4 charge for each additional 30 minutes.

The joy of riding to work and not having to pay or look for parking is enough to make it worth your money. But if your ride is less than 30 minutes, and most locations in the Denver metro area are, then you’ve just gotten a free ride…not the bad kind either.

Even though the season for B-cycle closed on December 14th, there are still opportunities to get in on a good deal for a yearly pass before they reopen in March. You can buy a gift certificate for an annual membership for $69. It’s a good idea for a stocking stuffer. This gives a member access to the entire Denver B-cycle network throughout Denver. Plus, the membership gives a member special deals and discounts at participating restaurants and retail outlets.

For more information, call 303.825.3325 or email at info@denverbikesharing.org.

Our Downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft residents love to share their stories about food. From the new opening of a restaurant like Linger in LoHi to the delicious food trucks that cruise the streets of Capitol Hill, Denver offers some great options.

Downtown Denver Grocery Needs

But there has been one item of the wish list of Downtown Denver condo residents for some time… a true large scale grocery store.

It isn’t as if Downtown Denver residents don’t have options. With Tony’s Market and Cooke’s Market downtown there are some great convenient locations in central downtown. And for those who drive to and from work there are convenient locations along Speer, on Federal, and throughout the various neighborhoods.

But if you live in Northwest Denver or LoDo there has long been a need for a full service grocery store.

The Grocery Solution Arrives in Downtown Denver

Yesterday’s announcement in the Denver Business Journal Article “King Soopers to open downtown Denver store” offers some welcome news for our clients in Riverfront Park, Lower Downtown and Lower Highlands.

The Nichols Partnership, the same development group that brought us SPIRE on 14th and Champa, has structured a deal to bring a roughly 42,000 square foot King Soopers to their new project at 20th Street and Chestnut.

The new King Soopers Urban Grocery Store is planned to have apartments above and other retail on the ground floor in the rapidly expanding Union Station Neighborhood project.

A grocery store has long been planned by the developer at this location, but it remained to be seen if they could find a corner tenant to bring the Urban Grocery Store vision into reality.

Cheers and Kudos to the Nichols Partnership and all of our wonderful Downtown Denver condo and loft condo residents who have been asking for another grocery alternative in their neighborhood.

To learn more about the new projects going on in the Union Station Neighborhood or any of the exciting neighborhoods in Downtown Denver please contact anyone of the New Era Team.

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As a real estate professional, our team is invested in the details.  Whether it means the unique nuances of every downtown Denver home, downtown Denver condo, or Loft’s construction, HOA fees, contract terms, or sales history…. We dive into the details to meet the highest level of quality for our clients. 

But the New Era Realty team is equally focused on the big picture.  We study the market trends for each neighborhood, the direction average per square foot or days on market is trending, and of course… how the local communities are developing.

Denver Reports More Than 240 Restaurant Openings

Which is why we loved reading Westword’s recent article “Restaurant roll call for 2012 -- over 240 openings last year”. The growth of amenities, shops, and restaurants in Denver has been amazing.  Cities have a number of vital signs, and economic growth in the businesses that take care of local Denver condo and loft residents is a very important one.

An Amazing City With Up And Coming Neighborhoods

Denver’s expansion in can be seen throughout the entire metro area, as you can see from the long list of familiar addresses in the Westword new openings list.  Some neighborhoods that have seen the most growth in new features are also, as we would expect, some of the most sought after areas with our clients and fans.  LoHi, that amazing development nestled on the Northwest side of Denver has seen years of new development and growth.  

Can the neighborhood possibly get better every year?  It appears so. 

Downtown Denver is Expanding

And the expansion of new restaurants, walkable communities, and art districts is spreading farther from the downtown while new light rail stations and public transportation are redefining the geographical borders of what one would consider to be Downtown Denver.

Our Urban Design and Urban Planning friends are enjoying what they consider to be Denver’s greatest time of growth.   Areas that were once years ago less active are now filled with the energy of our population enjoying public parks, trails, and the great thriving local business environment.

The New Era Realty team is fortunate to work with so many wonderful clients relocating to the Denver area.  It gives us a chance to hear the rave reviews those who pick Denver as their new home share about the many advantages our city has over others across the country (and in some cases, the world).

Celebrate Denver, many consider our city the number one place to live in the country.  Our prices are affordable, we have 300 days of sunshine, and from the Westword list… it seems great dining is arriving on every corner.

To learn more about the great Downtown Denver lifestyle or any of it’s wonderful neighborhoods please contact anyone on the New Era Team today.

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No Ticket to the Game? No Problem...

Because we are giving away one free Superbowl Party to a Facebook Fan!

Invite your friends over... except for that one friend that never brings anything...

You control the remote... to review the play to make sure the refs got it right.

No bathroom lines... Seriously, that is a hug plus!

You just get to relax, and enjoy the game.

One of the most communal gatherings in a neighborhood is the local watering hole. Many community bars sponsor neighborhood teams, host community parties, council meetings and are a great resource for the neighborhood scuttlebutt. One bar in particular has been doing it well for over 41 years. The Bull and Bush isn’t just another bar in Denver, it’s a landmark. With its 40-year-old, original recipe Mashed Potatoes and Green Chili, handcrafted soups, one of Denver’s best brunches and nightly specials now coming out of a new state-of-the-art-kitchen, only one thing could make it better—world famous beers.

The Nation’s First Sports Bar

Established by identical twin brothers Dean and Dale Peterson in 1971, the Bull and Bush was modeled after the original 1645 Bull and Bush in Hampstead Heath near London, attracting Denver socialites long before the LoDo scene. It was the nation’s first “Sports Bar”.

Making Denver Beer Drinkers Proud

In the mid-90s the sons, David and Erik Peterson took over the operations. They turned the Bull and Bush into a world renowned brewpub in 1997, winning multiple accolades including the Best Beer in a Brewpub award in Westword’s Best of Denver, multiple awards at the annual Great American Beer Festival and the Gold for the very famous “The Legend of the Liquid Brain Imperial Stout” at the World Beer Cup—the largest commercial beer competition in the world.

All of this was done in a very small space and without ever having bottled a single beer. In other words, if you wanted to drink a world famous Bull and Bush beer, you had to go there or have somebody bring it to you in a growler. The building finally reached a point where it needed updating and in September the reconstruction began.

Your Denver Watering Hole with a Choice Selection

With a state-of-the-art kitchen and brewery, the 41-year-old watering hole is ready to invite a whole new batch of patrons into its wonderful history. Soon they will be bottling and the longtime isolated beers will be able to migrate to further reaches to please more people. After all, we take it for granted being surrounded by more breweries per capita than any other state, many of which are world famous. But the Bull and Bush has been a community and neighborhood bar for over a generation and its regular patrons and owners know this.

Check out one of Denver’s living historical sites located at 4700 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver and belly-up with a neighbor for one of many of its world famous beers.

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During the holidays it is always a treat to hear from our Denver Theater district and Downtown Denver condo and loft clients.  The Downtown has changed significantly over the past few years, and will continue to do so. The changes have been amazing to watch and for those who live in this area, to enjoy.

Denver initiated a massive project to convert 14th Street into what the city is calling Ambassador Street

Anchored between the array of great theaters and performance venues including the Denver Performing Arts Center and hundreds of shops and restaurants throughout the Downtown, the Denver Theater District offers an incredible and unique location.

When SPIRE and the Four Seasons first began construction the plan for the new Ambassador street was just a drawing on paper. The plan called for expanded sidewalks to provide great outdoor bistro and restaurant dining, improved parking, and a list of amazing architectural improvements including signage, planters, street design, and more.

If you go down 14th street today you will see it has become a reality. Our theater and event loving clients living in Downtown often compare their city lifestyle to Manhattan where shows and performances are just footsteps away.

Animated Video of Ambassador Street in Downtown Denver

While this holiday failed to be very snow filled. The ease and comfort of walking out your front door to enjoy activities, incredible meals, shopping, shows, and a shared holiday celebration with friends is something often shared with our team as a “reason I live here”.

Within the Downtown Denver real estate market, especially the Theater district, the options for lifestyle living are many. SPIRE, the newest kid on the block with a variety of amenities from outdoor spas to a full movie theater room, may claim the best location and inventory. The Four Seasons, just a block away, offers pampering and in building services that only a 5 star brand can provide.  For those seeking a more historic or open loft residence the New Era Realty team specializes in the many unique building and Downtown Denver condo opportunities in the area.

To learn more about what is next for Downtown Denver, the Theater District, and Ambassador Street or to tour any of the amazing Denver lofts and condos available today please feel free to contact a member of the New Era Realty Team.

With Denver’s combined efforts at Union Station, 14th Street, the Light Rail, and 16th Street, the city is evolving for its residents every day.

And for our comedy lovers… today is the 12 hour Improv-A-Thon at the Bovine Metropolis (just a block from SPIRE) where from noon to midnight not stop Improv will keep you entertained.  You can come and go as you please with your ticket so you can enjoy a day of shopping (return those glitter boots you got from Aunt Sue), grab some laughs, eat an amazing meal downtown, and then return to finish off your day with more laughter. Enjoy!

There has been a great deal happening in an area just footsteps from the wildly desired Lower Highlands Neighborhood, but the price per square foot is considerably less.

Walk to the Broncos games

Sun Valley and the surrounding blocks are what was once imagined as the “Stadium District” and is part of the Sports Authority Field background. What is changing for this neighborhood is part sports, part LoHi expansion, and a great part transportation development.

Denver Light Rail Will Take you Anywhere you Want to Go

If we look at the biggest change, the transit development portion, you will be pleased to know that the new Decatur Federal Light Rail station is approaching completion. From a foot traffic standpoint and for service to the Denver Bronco’s games this station is predicted to be a huge conduit for those going in and out of Denver.

The development of this station along with prime real estate along the river has sparked an increase in home and land purchases. The views, for those how have been there, of downtown are incredible. The Broncos Stadium benefits from an expansion of restaurants, amenities, and more in the immediate area, and it’s prime location is just a short walk or bike ride into the Highlands and Riverfront Park area.

Denver's Sun Valley Neighborhood On the Up and Up

LoHi has experienced a huge growth spurt into the Northwest area and Sun Valley and the surrounding blocks are an ideal candidate for additional growth. The benefit of this particular location with the light rail may be something to be realized over the next few years. If Broncos stadium realizes a vision for a Stadium District, this may well be the next great Denver neighborhood to keep your eye on.

We are often asked what the next booming neighborhood is. While many neighborhoods in Denver are already booming and many that have amenities in place, this is one to watch.

Light rail is taking a stronger role in the development of urban areas. The new Decatur Federal station is clearly one such development. To learn more about the new Station plan you can visit their website here.

New Era Realty is focused on tracking and sharing with our clients not just the trends in the most discussed neighborhoods, but those that are changing and developing that many others are not tracking.

To learn more about Downtown Denver developments and what is happening in Denver contact anyone on the New Era Realty team today.

Cheers and we look forward to a light rail station dropoff for a future Bronco’s game.