With Denver lighting up for the holiday season, there are many opportunities for Denver residents and visitors to enjoy some spectacular displays of illumination-centered art across the city. The iconic Denver holiday lights of the Civic Center Building in Civic Center Park took place on Friday the 23rd and as always, the event proved to be an exciting way for residents to get into the holiday spirit. The Grand Illumination was not limited to Civic Center, as Union Station, the Pavilions and Skyline Park all were involved in the event that started at 6pm.  

Even if you didn’t make the lighting ceremony, the historical landmarks bathed in pillars of brilliant light is a sight to behold all month long. It is also a sight that insights a level of nostalgia and tradition for the city, as the ceremony has occurred for many years now. In addition to the Grand Illumination ceremony on the 23rd, there are some other exciting, light-centric events you can attend throughout the holiday season.

The Parade of Lights will be on November 30th, and is presented by 9news. Also a Denver tradition, it is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the finest performances and holiday cheer the city has to offer.

Two other fantastic events will also be kicking off on the 30th of November, Zoo Lights (at The Denver Zoo) and Blossoms of light (at the Denver Botanical Gardens). Both exhibits showcase stunning displays of lights in some of Denver's favorite recreational spots. They are a great way to show visiting friends and family just how wonderful Denver holiday lights truly are.

Its wine time . . . this week we are giving away a bottle of the Leitz Dragonstone Riesling.  Riesling is a great varietal for the upcoming holiday season.  Riesling is a very versatile wine that pairs well with many foods.  This wine pairs great with turkey for Thanksgiving and all of your Thanksgiving leftovers.  A great go-to option for any holiday party.  If you are unsure of what to bring for a dinner party Riesling is a great go-to option that will work with any holiday menu. 

A few notes from the winemaker .  . .

“I tasted a bottle right off the bottling line; a lovely and again savory fragrance; the palate is bright and salty; has some of the flint and kirsch of the site but also wisteria and mint, all in a suave context.  A tank-sample tasted alongside showed an '09 eucalyptus note which may or may not reappear. But this is potentially the best Dragonstone in many years.”

To enter into our wine giveaway check out our facebook page.  A new wine is announced every week, and a new winner is chosen every Friday.  Congratulations to Zachary Taylor, who won the Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon from last week.  Zachary please write us on facebook and let us know how it was.  Remember you can only enter once, but once you are entered you are eligible for every drawing.  Good luck to everyone that has entered so far, maybe this week’s winner will be YOU!

It's been a big year for Colorado and Denver real estate. Numbers are climbing to levels unseen since 2006, prices are rising, vacancy is decreasing. The market appears to be stabilizing after a somewhat chaotic couple years. With the market reporting such strong vitals, residents can look ahead to some exciting projects that will transform the streets of our favorite neighborhoods over the next year.

LoHi, a neighborhood that has already transformed time and time again, is in its newest phase of residential development. Two specific projects are sure to offer eager buyers more options for settling down in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Denver. As indicated by denverinfill.com's Ken Schroeppel, both projects are slated to wrap up construction in late 2013.

The first project, Skyline View apartments will span the east side of Zuni between 28 th and 29th ave. Construction is underway, and the completed project will render the block ready to accommodate hundreds. The building will have 105 units built over a 129 spot parking garage, as indicated by denverinfill.com.

The second project, Lohi City View Apartments will be located on the East corner of Boulder and 17 th. Demolition has begun and a rendering of the completed project can be seen on the Denverinfill.com blog titled, “New Lower Highland Project: LoHi City View Apartments.”

Each project is sure to offer more dwelling opportunities in arguably Denver's hottest neighborhood, as well as offer residents in LoHi a revised street-scape. In about one year's time, these areas will look completely different, refreshed by the look of new buildings. This, of course, is nothing new to long standing residents of the LoHi neighborhood, who have seen the quiet neighborhood explode over the past decade. The hope is that these new developments render LoHi even more desirable a neighborhood to live. I urge residents to take a good look at the neighborhood they now call home, for in one year, they will be looking at a much different picture.

To learn more about calling the LoHi neighborhood home, contact anyone at New Era Realty today.

The historic McNichols building in Civic Center Park has recently undergone a 4 million dollar renovation, rendering it ready to be Denver's newest home of the arts. The building, which was at one point in time Denver's first library, has been off the map for years. The renovation has brought it back to life in a big way, just in time for Civic Center Park to be recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

The goal of the renovation was to make the building of public interest again. The decision to transform it into a venue for the arts seems to be welcomed by nearby residents, as it will make Civic Center Park even more of a Denver destination. Though the project is still in progress, the work that has already been done is a large improvement to the space. The renovated, redefined space makes for better surrounding Denver real estate. Opportunities for residents in Denver to access fine art and entertainment seem to never cease. This addition to the mixture of stunning venues in downtown Denver will serve to bring a more inviting air to Civic Center Park, something residents have been hoping to see for a long time.

The future of the project includes exciting things to look forward to like a grand staircase off of Colfax to improve access to the structure, as well as a glass wall that will serve to let people look out over the rest of the park on the opposing side. The completed project will surely bring some fresh art and activity to the park, giving tourists and residents alike another reason to pay a visit the area. The proximity to 16th Street Mall, the Art Museum and neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Congress Park will make this venue a sure success.

The McNichols building is now available for events like weddings, bah mitzvahs, concerts and art exhibitions. It's terribly exciting news for residents in the area, bringing Civic Center park a breath of fresh air. The addition of yet another wonderful destination to see in the area is sure to bring even more exciting events to Denver. A day of sight seeing could consist of 16th Street Mall, The Capitol Building, Civic Center Park, the newly renovated McNichols building art gallery and the Denver Art Museum. All of these landmarks are within a mile of each other and offer residents some of the finest
experiences for entertainment.

Soak in some of Denver's exceptional local art and some of Denver's exceptional history in one stop.

Nestled just to the West of Denver, Edgewater is a beautiful and quaint area, fit for many walks of life. The unique properties surrounding Sloan's Lake range from bungalow style homes to renovated modern gems. The area is defined by a residential charm reminiscent of the Highlands neighborhood. Families can be seen gathering at the many parks that surround the lake. Joggers are frequently in sight, hitting the paved path that totals 2 ½ miles around the water. Dogs enjoy the fresh air with their guardians while folks dine across Sheridan in the retail and restaurant-rich surrounding blocks.

While the area has not undergone the same art-scene and culinary revival that we witnessed in the Highlands, it is well on track to mirroring it's neighbor just to the east. The surrounding neighborhoods are filled with well-landscaped yards, quaintly decorated porches, art galleries, coffee shops, tasty Thai food and pubs. There are many appealing elements at work in this area drawing in families, artists, young professionals and people wanting to live near the hustle and bustle of downtown Denver, just maybe not in it. It's a quick 10 minutes from downtown, with plenty of RTD routes that get you to the heart of the city. I-70 is only a few minutes to the north, while just to the South, 6th avenue offers commuters a quick option to head east or west. Edgewater's central location proves to yield some great options for getting around town. Whether you want to head west to hit the slopes, or east to hit the town, you won't find yourself behind the wheel of your car for long.

If Edgewater in Denver expects to gain itself a name among the ranks of LoHi and West Highlands, it has a little bit of growing to do. This is good news for folks interested in joining the atmosphere of a neighborhood on the brink of becoming the next best spot near downtown Denver. Sloan's lake offers a touch of serenity and natural wonder to the charming suburban feel surrounding it, icing on the Denver real estate cake for anyone looking to buy in this hip, up-and-coming neighborhood.

To learn more about calling Edgewater and Sloan's Lake home, contact anyone at New Era today.

Congratulations Mike Dixon! Mike is the winner of the Uncorked in Lohi wine give-away.  He won a bottle of the Infinite Monkey Theorem “Blind Watchmaker” red blend.  Infinite Monkey Theorem is a local winery, we are always happy to support local.  Mike, write us on facebook and let us know what you thought of the wine.

This week we are doing . . . Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. 

“Like a monarch’s robe, majestic, plush, rich and velvety. Cassis, black cherry, and a pinch of pipe tobacco. Long and full.  The best bottle to date, I F$#%@!G swear!” –Charles Smith

Quite the quote from the winemaker himself.  As if the personal endorsement weren’t enough, this wine received a 91 by wine spectator.  This wine comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington State, where the Columbia river provides plenty of below ground water tables for the grapes to thrive.  

Charles Smith is a self-taught wine maker, with true passion and artistic ability for making wine.  And his avant garde take on life shines through to his wine portfolio which includes such names as: Kung Fu Girl, Boom Boom!, The Velvet Devil, and Broncho.  If you haven’t tried any yet, I highly suggest you do!  Enter our contest for your chance to win a bottle!

Winners for the giveaway are announced every Friday.  Enter through our facebook page.  Best of Luck to Everyone who entered!

Hello Denver!  We hope you all had a lovely weekend.  We thought the best way to start your Monday, is to talk about Free Wine!  It’s the “Uncorked in LoHi” wine give-away.  Last week’s winner of Scarborough’s “The Works” red blend was Stephanie Nelson.  Make sure to check out our facebook page for Stephanie’s review of the wine. 

This week’s wine is The Infinite Monkey Theorem 'Blind Watchmaker.'

                "Born in Colorado of British ancestry, the Infinite Monkey Theorem scours Colorado and beyond for the best grapes possible.  The result is high quality, if not cultish, wines that are approachable, fun, and unpretentious.  You'll find wines from the Infinite Monkey Theorem in most of Denver's hottest restaurants."

The Blind watchmaker is a Petit Verdot, tasting notes of wet earth, tobacco, and green tea; full bodied, balanced, round tannins and velvety.  Sounds like a great wine for the season, a full bodied red for a crisp night in the city. 

The Infinite Monkey Theorem (IMT) winery, located in the heart of Denver, recently opened its beautiful tasting room to the fun of First Friday’s.  This urban winery is exactly what Denver needed.  It’s funky and fun, with a cool vibe welcoming its community into the art of creating wine.  Check out their facebook page where they have just unveiled the IMT vending machine!  We are really excited about featuring this local wine this month and we hope you are too!  Sign up to win this bottle has already started so make sure you get your name in!  Check back on Friday to see if you are the winner!