“We watched it for a long time,” said Oakwood’s Sales Director Kristen White, looking out on the trail system that passes close to the ‘Family Center’ with gym and community events, and to Belle Creek’s own Haraf Foods community market. ‘New urban’ neighborhoods generally command higher prices; but when a builder pulled out last year, affordably-oriented Oakwood made a move.

“It’s a perfect fit for us,” White adds, showing off six new floor plans you can see today, each with a new-urban style alley-loaded garage that Oakwood specially designed for the neighborhood. Included is one ‘Big Value’ plan offering three or four bedrooms at 2,100 square feet, priced at $218,600…basement included, if you buy now.
The Roses and other neighbors are delighted to see Oakwood arriving to build out the community (builder Pat Hamill met with a packed house of residents to announce plans). Meanwhile, after three years the Roses say Belle Creek still looks like Pleasantville, with its village architecture (“It looks like a movie set,” Levi’s parents said when they visited from Utah)…but also the neighborly feel. “It’s the front porches; people mingle with their neighbors,” Levi adds. When he went through a bout with cancer last year (he now has a clean bill), 600 people turned out at a support meeting in the Family Center.
Oakwood is keeping the front-porch ambience. When Oakwood’s Dwayne Montoya shows you the six plans today (from $179,500), he’ll also fill you in on a special, pre-sale ‘buyer bundle’ deal: add three special features onto your package at no extra cost, from a list that includes a spa-style bath with seamless glass-door shower and rain head; full window coverings; front yard landscaping; and/or closing costs.
Oakwood’s pre-sale center is on Belle Creek Boulevard in Henderson, just west of Hwy 85 at 104th. From I-25 or I-270, take I-76 north 5 miles, angle left on 85, then left on 104th.

WHERE: Grand opening, Belle Creek by Oakwood; affordable single-family series in new-urban community with shops, recreation, charter school. 10502 Belle Creek Blvd., Henderson; from I-25/I-270 take I-76 north 5 mi., angle left on Hwy 85, left on 104th 1 blk to Belle Creek. Or take 104th east from I-25, 5 mi.

PRICE: From $179,500; ‘Big Value’ home with basement, $218,600
WHEN: 10-6 daily
PHONE: 303-486-8728 WEB: HomesPeopleLove.com

“It was a no brainer,” said Rachel LePera, who stopped by the new ‘Carmel’ model in Balboa at Stapleton, that’s become Infinity Home Collection’s fastest selling home. During their home search, the couple made a can’t-do-without checklist: great kitchen, usable outdoor space, finished basement for entertaining, and room for her baby grand piano. She had something else that she shares with many other younger buyers gravitating toward new-urban neighborhoods: a taste for modern, contemporary styling with wide open living spaces.
That fit like a glove with Infinity’s designs at Balboa, off 29th Avenue four blocks east of Stapleton Town Center, close to where Infinity had its successful Sky Terrace collection…more expensive. “Younger buyers kept coming in, telling us that they wanted this look, but in a single-family detached home at a lower price,” recalls Infinity General Manager Dave Steinke. “We trusted what we learned from those people.”
You can see how that came together in this Carmel plan that the LePeras bought. It has an open living-dining-kitchen area, with a study beyond where the piano is headed; and three bedrooms (including a luxury master with big walk-in), a loft and upstairs laundry. Infinity is finishing the basement ‘man-cave’ style for Jeff…with a wet bar, plus a guest bedroom suite, bringing the space to 3,100 feet.
The LePeras fit a profile of new-urban buyers committed to city living: She’s a dentist in Parker, but picked Stapleton over the suburbs; he supplies equipment to hospitals and medical research campuses nearby. Both also decided early on that they didn’t want the size limitation and maintenance hassles that go with older houses. “We don’t want to have to work on our house every weekend,” says Rachel LePera. “This is more of a long-term plan for us.”
Working into that plan is Balboa’s close proximity to Town Center and its shops and eateries (they’ve already been to Casey’s Bistro a few times) as well as schools, new library, and a pool/rec center coming soon to Stapleton’s vast Central Park. Take 29th east thru Stapleton’s Town Center, four blocks to Trenton and left.
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WHERE: Balboa at Stapleton by Infinity Home Collection, ‘Carmel’ model grand opening today, contemporary single-family designs 1,727-3,100 s.f. E. 29th Ave at Trenton, Stapleton; take 29th Ave. east thru Stapleton’s Town Center, 4 blks to Trenton, left.

PRICE: From $439,900 WHEN: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PHONE: 303-316-0730 WEB: www.InfinityHomeCollection.com

For their move-up in Stapleton, Kevin and Lisa Coyne chose the same floor plan as the Oxford 5 model by Parkwood Homes, open today near Stapleton’s vast Central Park.

In a year when many builders are offering models that look like Swedish furniture stores indoors, Parkwood has gone the other way — straight back to the classic look of colonial towns with names like ‘York’ or ‘Middlesex.’ There’s nothing ‘minimalist’ about the Oxford 5; it’s flush with gables and spindle stairs and lush wainscoting to waist high. Company President Jack Fleury developed the style for Gaithersburg, Maryland; and then heard about Stapleton’s community design — oriented to recreate the appeal of an older, Eastern town.

“We’re big believers in these traditional neighborhoods,” Fleury said, “and it looked like Stapleton would be one of the best in the country.” Now that hunch has paid off many times over, with a whopping 46% of Parkwood’s buyers here moving up from inside Stapleton, a large portion of whom have personal ties to older houses and communities.
As we talked, as if on cue, a Maryland couple walked in, touring Stapleton after a job interview. Yes, they already knew about Parkwood — from Kentlands, a new-urban area in Gaithersburg. “It’s also the personalization that makes us stand out,” says Parkwood’s Heather Barben, who’ll be on hand with Dede Jeffery today, to greet you with Mother’s Day goodies. She worked with the Coynes on their preferences: wi-fi work spaces (both work from home for West Coast companies); basement wet bar, great play area for a five-year-old daughter and for a son they’re adopting soon from China; and a new-urban ‘carriage house’ over the garage (three recent buyers have opted for them).
Meanwhile, the Coynes average two trips a week to the park (there’s a ‘Wye’ Craftsman-style that faces it, priced $481,900); and spend time hanging out in BlueFin Sushi in Stapleton’s Town Center. Did they ever consider moving away from Stapleton when their first home started to seem too small? “It was never an option,” Kevin Coyne says.
Prices are from $435,000; from 29th east of Town Center, head east to Central Park Blvd., north past MLK to E. 35th and east. Ask about Parkwood’s program to install a solar electric system; and for a taste of what moms here enjoy all year long, visit StapletonMoms.com.
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WHERE: Mother’s Day open house by Parkwood Homes in Stapleton, 3-&-4-bedroom traditional American stylings near Central Park, cookies & drinks today. 35th & Beeler St., Stapleton; from Quebec take MLK Blvd (32nd) east 6 blks to Central Park Blvd., north 2 blks to E. 35th, east 12 blks

PRICE: From the $430s
WHEN: Today noon – 5 p.m., 10-6 weekdays
PHONE: 303-320-4938 WEB: StapletonDenver.com

Metropolitan’s Julia Sherman (left) and Melodie McCuaig look out over the new-urban design of Vallagio from a loft.

“These final homes are a steal,” he says. “People need to know the window is closing; you’ll never be able to build at this price.”
Vallagio is giving something else back, to anybody wondering whether this is really the right moment–a 34-month buy-back guarantee. Purchase a loft right now, and if you decide down the line it’s not a fit, developer Metropolitan Homes will take it back.
That offer covers any reason for making a change 34-months into ownership — you haven’t made enough appreciation, or you’ve been transferred out of town, or whatever. With a close-out incentive that Metropolitan is including with all of these, lofts start at only $224,000; two luxurious row homes (3-bedroom, 3-1/2 baths plus 2-car garage) are both in the $390s.
Those prices have driven 11 sales over the past three months…half of them to buyers coming to Colorado for jobs at United Launch Alliance, Comcast and other Inverness employers. “They all want to be around the energy here,” says sales manager Julia Sherman. Metropolitan’s team, she adds, is excited by the social synergy that residents express…parties, progressive dinners, nights out at Inverness’s Spotted Dog restaurant.
Today only, you’ll find a 1-bedroom loft incentive-priced at $224,000…with a granite island, hardwood floors, stainless appliances including fridge and washer-dryer, balcony with gas hookup, and a dedicated space in the underground parking. One hundred dollars will hold it to contract (an offer that applies on any of these).
And be sure to check out the larger 2-bedroom (from $284,000) and 3-bedroom corner-lofts. Vallagio’s sales gallery is just east of I-25 on Dry Creek to Inverness Drive West and right a block.
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With tax credit set to end, final row homes and lofts “are a steal” in new-urban neighborhood beside Light Rail

If you go…

WHERE: Sixteen final 1-to-3-bed lofts, 2 final Row Homes at Vallagio, new-urban neighborhood at Inverness Golf Club, guaranteed buy-back. Take I-25 to Dry Creek Rd., head east 1 blk to Inverness Dr. West, right 1 blk to sales gallery entry.

PRICE: Lofts from $224,000, 2 Luxury Row Homes in $390s
WHEN: Daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
PHONE: 303-222-1370 WEB: www.Vallagio.com

Whether or not you’re chasing after something in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood, you’re unlikely to tour any house more fun than one in Sunnyside, north of W. 38th, two blocks east of Federal. Beaux Arts-trained architect Eugene Groves began work in 1935 on a 1-bedroom there, two years before he did Johnson’s Corner gas station on old U.S. 85 near Longmont, saved from a wrecking ball in 2002.

Highlands developer Chuck Murphy of Epic Realty restored this all-concrete landmark by Denver architect Eugene Groves.

This house, which spent the 1980s-1990s sheltering jazz percussionist Marc Bertoni, could have easily met a similar fate. Of 40 buildings Groves created (numbers of landmarks on the CSU campus), only a dozen ever gained historic preservation; and when Mr. Bertoni began ailing, this one wasn’t on the list. “It would have been a historical sin if it had been torn down,” says Highlands developer Chuck Murphy, who spent two years restoring 2733 41st Street for the market, preserving all its quirks.

…The most prominent being the architecture: Solid concrete…brick walls coated inside and out in concrete, a concrete dome, concrete floors over the basement…even an upstairs office, with desk and bookshelves in concrete. “Concrete was his gig,” Murphy told me, noting that Groves (devotees have a web site at EugeneGroves.org) was pals with mining/cement magnate Charles Boettcher and shared a vision with him: Concrete could create an inexpensive house that would be immune from the hazard of fire, still on the city’s collective mind from the famous blaze of 1863.

That quality, Murphy says, gives this place a diminutive premium of $330 for hazard insurance…and some energy performance that sounds incredible for a place built when leaky steel-frame windows were the thing. Mid-winter gas-electric bill, he notes, is about $115.
You’ll be wowed by an effect in the living room under that concrete dome. Murphy will show you a place to sit where you can hear everything said by somebody 20 feet away at the fireplace, magically amplified. There’s a berth-style concrete double bed upstairs…and a kitchen that looks to be from a Union Pacific streamliner, with stainless cabinets and virtually everything else of concrete, even the vent hood and dish shelves.

Also…a blackboard set in concrete, sort of a ‘computer workstation’ from the days before computers…a copper-door safe (the combination comes with the deed)…and this inscription in tile above the oven-range space: ‘No matter where I serve my guests, it seems they like the kitchen best.’

The Groves house is priced at $349,900…on view 11-4 today.
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WHERE: Landmark 1935 house, 1,430 sq. ft. plus basement, by Harvard-trained architect Eugene Groves, in Sunnyside neighborhood. 2733 W. 41st Ave., Denver; take Park/W.38th Ave. west from I-25, 2 mi. to Clay, right to 41st, ten left; or take Federal north to 41st, right 2 blks

PRICE: $349,900
WHEN: Sunday, Sep. 27, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
PHONE: 303-760-2701

If you’re looking at downtown condos to get something affordable that will qualify for the federal first-time buyer tax credit, there’s something else you ought to look at today: A townhome project, newly completed with green energy features, a six-block walk from downtown, where the very most expensive design is only $349,000.

Newly completed townhome models at Traverse, 25th and Champa Streets in Curtis Park, are priced from $324,900 to $349,000. Modular construction kept energy performance high, and costs well below other downtown projects.

“You can get a condo for less, but for a downtown townhome, there just aren’t any,” says builder Scott Ray, who showed me his models at Traverse, 25th and Champa in Curtis Park, three blocks from Light Rail. Real townhomes…as in, more room than a condo will deliver at this price (from $324,900), plus a 2-car garage.

Ray ran the numbers for me: Traverse’s cost-per-foot on the largest, 1,400 feet ($332,900), comes in at around $238/foot. The monthly HOA fee is only $125…and any one of nine homes left can deliver in time well before the tax credit’s Nov. 30 deadline.
Four buyers have already taken advantage…including an Englewood couple that both work downtown…and a consultant that offices out of his live-work space on the main level (it’s an option on all of these).

Ray, who’s done numbers of projects, did a successful duplex in Cole/Whittier last year, before turning his eyes to a rare ‘B-zoned’ parcel in Curtis Park a few blocks from downtown. “I saw what everybody else was building and the way the economy looked, and I didn’t want to be part of that (high) price point,” he told me. He hired Architecture Denver, same firm that did the footbridge that crosses into LoDo, for a design using less-expensive modular construction.

The results you’ll tour today look pretty close to other downtown townhouse products…slightly scaled down, but still with contemporary finishes, stainless in the kitchen, engineered red-oak floors, Blomus fireplace, and open-frame steel staircase leading up to a bedroom level with master suite and a second bedroom with en-suite bath. Modular construction allowed for 2×6 walls and for inside-out insulating and sealing; not only affordable, but a much ‘greener’ way of constructing than stick-built.

Realtor Jennifer Carter lives a ways east in San Rafael. “We really prefer these neighborhoods,” she said. “They’re close to downtown, but they feel like neighborhoods.” Jennifer will be on hand today noon-5 to show these and tell you about special incentives.
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WHERE: Traverse, affordable new townhomes in Curtis Park six blocks from downtown, finished models, 9 available, free washer-dryer this week. 2486 Champa St., Denver; take Park Avenue east from I-25 past Coors Field (becomes 22nd) 7 blks to Stout, turn left, 3 blks to 25th St., left to Champa (one-way)

PRICE: From $324,900-$349,000
WHEN: Today, 11:30 until 4 p.m.
PHONE: 720-275-3331

If you’re looking for a luxury urban condominium, you’re looking in downtown. However, you’re probably missing an opportunity in a new kind of downtown created at Belmar…loads of restaurants and attractions six miles west of downtown. Marketers of Plaza Residences know that they have to try a little harder to be noticed…and that’s what they’re doing Sunday, Aug. 30—offering a gourmet open house above the Sunday Outdoor Market at Belmar, with giveaways of $500 and $100 gift certificates.

Kevin Garrett, Kentwood City Properties, shows a view from penthouse overlooking Belmar.

It was at an event like this that Barry and Holly Kutner discovered Belmar’s charms and bought a big penthouse, a few doors from one you’ll tour. The Kutners weren’t moving from Arvada or Genesee but rather Philadelphia–getting things they like about the big city (including walking to Whole Foods), together with the better access west to the mountains that Belmar can offer.

No surprise that of the urban flats already sold at Plaza Residences (two-thirds are gone), seven went to out-of-state buyers like the Kutners. “When you’re coming into Colorado from someplace else, you’re relying more on the Internet and on Realtors,” says Kevin Garrett of Kentwood City Properties, who you’ll meet today. “You’re a little more likely to discover something that local buyers have overlooked.”

At Belmar, that includes Wyestone’s Tea Room and Mark & Isabella’s Italian (they’re both catering the three models today), Ted’s, P.F. Chang, Elephant Bar, galleries, lots of shops, and coffee places. Baker Street Pub, across from Plaza Residences, is a popular scene after dark…and Century Theaters are right across the street.

You can be part of that scene for as little as $229,670 (a 955-foot 1-bedroom flat with high ceilings, granite tops, ¾-inch hardwood floors, and an underground parking space)…or, $853,060, for a sprawling 3-bedroom-plus-study penthouse, with 270-degree view from its corner deck that spans mountains to downtown. There are numbers of possibilities between; all of them, Garrett notes, priced about 15% less now than on opening day…coming in from $250 to $300/square foot.

To reach, take Wadsworth south from Sixth to Alameda, east two blocks to Teller, then right two blocks down Belmar’s Main Street.
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WHERE: Plaza Residences at Belmar, hors d’oeuvres by Mark & Isabella’s and by Wyestone’s Tea Room in 3 luxury models, during today’s Outdoor Market; drawings for $500, $100 gift cards. Belmar, opposite Century Theater; take Wadsworth south from Sixth to Alameda, left (east) 2 blks to Teller, right to 7220 W. Bonfils Ln.

PRICE: From $229,670 to $853,060
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
PHONE: 303-520-4040 WEB: LiveBelmar.com

If you haven’t seen downtown Golden for a few years, you’ll be wowed by how historic Washington Avenue has been transformed…the rough edges all gone, nicer shops and dining, and some spectacular flats above the scene, that have sold so well that just five remain for today’s open house.

Kathryn Farrow of Coldwell Banker’s Ali Van Westenberg Team and Bob Gross, CFO of NexCore Group, in front of Gateway Station on Golden’s historic Washington Avenue.

All of this has been discovered by the touristas, who were combing Washington as I walked south across Clear Creek past the Golden Hotel and its Bridgewater Grille, the Golden-arch ‘Howdy Folks!’ sign, to the historic corner at 13th where you can tour Gateway Station…the site where streetcars used to end their run from Denver.

“We have tourists come in all the time that tell us they wish they could live here,” says Kathryn Farrow, who’ll be on hand to show you those final five units from $310,000…and some refreshments, too.

Not surprisingly, some of 30 purchasers who’ve bought are from out of state…including parents of kids at School of Mines, who took flats after discovering the ‘new Golden’ scene here. Others are going low-maintenance after owning in Genesee or Arvada. There’s a Mines professor, shop owners…and numbers coming from downtown and LoDo.

“It’s all about the sense of community,” says Farrow. Owners get a double shot of that here, hosting margarita parties on their decks overlooking Washington…but also enjoying the amiable atmosphere down on the street. “It’s the Old West feel,” Farrow adds. “I almost couldn’t take it at first, people are so friendly.”

That’s a perfect ending for LoDo developers Greg Venn and Bob Gross of NexCore Group, who dreamed up Gateway Station up in 2005, tearing down Hested’s department store (dating from the 1890s but empty for the past 30 years) with its eyesore zig-zag roof from a space-age makeover. “Once that was done, downtown started blooming,” says Pam Eggemeyer, whose Spirit in the Wind gallery is downstairs, next to an ice cream store, Jimmy John’s, Starbucks and other attractions.

You’ll see a 1-bed, 1-3/4 bath flat over Washington, with nice finishes, a jetted tub and pre-wired for sound, just under 1,100 feet, $310,000…a 1,900-foot 2-bedroom with a corner view…and one penthouse with a 500-foot deck. NexCore’s Gross says there’s special financing available…but warns that “this could never be duplicated here, and the prices would be much higher.”
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If you go…

WHERE: Gateway Station, just 5 remaining of 35 flats above Golden’s historic shopping/dining district; Arts Festival today, refreshments, restaurant giveaways. 1299 Washington Ave., Golden. Take 6th Ave. west to Golden; right on 19th to Washington, left to 13th (rt to free parking). Or from I-70 take 58 west to Washington, left.

PRICE: From $310,000
WHEN: Noon until 4 PHONE: 720-987-8660

At a time when the country is focused on value as well as sustainability, you can’t find a “greener” way to live than what’s being offered at SPIRE in downtown Denver’s theater district…or a better time to come see it than now, when SPIRE offers a $35,000 incentive that makes its creative lifestyle even more attainable.

SPIRE’s models show vivid representations of the views actual homes will have…nearing completion across 14th Street from SPIRE’s Experience Center beside the Colorado Convention Center.

SPIRE…in between the bright lights at Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Convention Center…is not only one of the most sustainable residential projects in Denver, but anywhere in the nation: committed to providing 100% of its electric demand over the next two years from a mix of wind energy (obtained by purchasing 9.8 million kilowatt hours of credits) as well as high performance features (a registered LEDE® project on track for certification).

But that’s just the beginning of the green features you’ll see at SPIRE’s Experience Center (including two super-realistic models that show actual views, and some eye-catching virtual exhibits). SPIRE will be one of the largest LEDE projects of its type: special parking for scooters and bikes, a car-sharing program, recyclables chute, in addition to a walkable lifestyle close to downtown dining, and employment.

Meanwhile, you’re going to be amazed by the views that will be provided by even the most attainable homes in SPIRE (at 42 stories with the bottom eight stories devoted to parking, everything gets a view). If you’re focused on anything from the 31st floor down, you can take a $35,000 credit…applicable as a straight discount off the price, or with portions applied to parking or luxury appliances.

This is also the place to see some super impressive 3-bedrooms that will offer a trendy approach to luxury living. But on even the least expensive, SPIRE residents get amenities unlike anything Denver has seen: 35,000 sq. ft. of community space on multiple levels, with a spectacular deck that has a ‘negative edge’ pool plus two other spas…“the zone” lounge/club; “box office” screening room with super-wide hi-def screen; world class resident’s fitness club…even a dog park, high above city streets.

The first move-ins for SPIRE’s super sustainable lifestyle begin this fall. But the time to see the models is now, with that $35,000 incentive…plus this year’s $8,000 credit for first-time buyers, and terrific financing from participating lenders. Take the Mall Shuttle to Champa and walk south; the Experience Center is beside the Convention Center between Champa and Stout on 14th.

IF YOU GO:

WHERE: SPIRE, super-sustainable downtown condominiums with sensational amenities; green features; very attainable prices; special $35,000 incentive. Models & virtual displays beside the Colorado Convention Center between Champa & Stout; take the Mall Shuttle to Champa, south 2 blks to 14th.

PRICE: 1-to-3-bedrooms, low $200s-$1.2 mil; 170 homes available $200s-$400s
WHEN: Daily 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Sunday 12-6
PHONE: 720-457-7550 WEB: SpireDenver.com