Applewood was completed last year – fulfilling Jaeger’s idea of an assisted living concept that would “remind you of grandmother’s house.” “When I visited other places, it struck me that all of the amenities you see in independent living communities were always absent in assisted living.” So Applewood is long on those: the neighborhood’s pretty Chester-Portsmouth Park, tucked next door with trails that interconnect; and a 24-hour ‘Bistro’ with coffee, cookies, and fresh popcorn right off the dining area.

MorningStar created an “outdoor living area” with barbecue and eat-outdoors seating; a formal dining room you can reserve for family events; living room with fireplace; and restaurant style dining that includes a menu and executive chef-prepared meals three times a day. “Residents really do want the social option,” says MorningStar Regional Marketing Director Katie Yoho, noting that people have often lived alone for years before they arrive. MorningStar created a country store, movie theater, beauty salon, library with computer stations and other places to intermingle; and designs its rooms (you can see 1-and-2 bedroom models) for privacy, but for safety and ease of care, as well.

MorningStar (they’re offering a month’s-rent free as part of the open house) also offers memory care, not only at Applewood, but also at their Dayton Place and Littleton locations. Dayton Place also offers independent living and a new line of Cottages for active seniors, complete with health club, swimming pool and dining. Cottages range up to 1,750 square feet, plus a 2-car attached garage.
–
If you go…

WHERE: MorningStar Assisted Living at Applewood, 4 other locations. 2800 Youngfield, Lakewood; exit I-70 at Youngfield, south on Youngfield, 0.4 mi. Also, MorningStar of Littleton, 5344 S. Kipling, between Bowles and Belleview; Dayton Place, 1950 S. Dayton St, Denver at corner of Parker Rd.; Cranbook Assisted Living 5565 S. Yosemite, Greenwood Village so. of Belleview on Yosemite

WHEN: Daily 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
PHONE: 303-233-4343 WEB: MorningStarSeniorLiving.com

Koelbel, who earned membership in the international business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma, during his graduate studies at CU’s Leeds School of Business, was part of a team of four students whose vision of a redeveloped Denver Coliseum complex won the 8th annual Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge for CU last year against teams from the University of Denver. During his studies, he carried out field internships that involved property analyses in Littleton’s redeveloped downtown area on behalf of Littleton Capital Partners, as well as creation of a “green” development handbook for Vail Associates.

Koelbel, who has an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in Economics and International Relations, spent two years before grad school at the Urban Land Institute in Washington, D.C. studying the effects of infrastructure on land use, particularly with respect to U.S. competitiveness in an international sphere. His graduate studies included specialty work in finance, real estate law, economic development, and sustainability

“We are very proud of what Carl has already accomplished in his educational and working career, and how he will now assist our efforts in continuing the Koelbel and Company philosophy of sensitivity to the land in all of our developments, while supporting a sustainability commitment for all future projects,” said Buz Koelbel in announcing the appointment. Carl Koelbel will work in the company’s acquisitions and development department.

Koelbel and Company has a storied past that includes development of the Denver area’s first large-scale master-planned golf course community in 1958 (Pinehurst Country Club), and The Preserve at Greenwood Village, the mile-square planned community that for a decade ranked as the area’s fastest selling luxury home area. Koelbel is master developer, as well, of Rendezvous, the resort community taking shape on 1,100 acres between Fraser and Winter Park, and has major development parcels in Greenwood Village, Parker, along the Boulder Turnpike Corridor, and in the City of Denver.

Throughout its history, Koelbel and Company has always approached its developments with the understanding that they are custodians of the land for a short time, but their results last for generations. A commitment to the larger community is also important, as illustrated by numerous civic and cultural contributions, as well as the very active role Buz Koelbel played with a multitude of stakeholders to achieve what is now the successful multi-modal TREX project serving downtown Denver and the south I-25 corridor and the attendant market-driven, sustainable smart growth that will occur as a result.

The Preserve was a leader in a community development concept within the urban ring, protecting almost 25% of its property as permanent open space, including the 55-acre Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve and Wildlife Habitat, which serves as the permanent centerpiece of the community. The Preserve hosted the first Ideal Energy Home tour in 1991, illustrating energy efficiency and sustainability, and features homebuilders that have led the industry in energy technology.

Carl Koelbel added that Koelbel and Company has a prime position for leadership in sustainable development due to its land positions. Koelbel and Company has prime holdings at I-25 and Yale and at I-25 and Orchard along the south I-25 Light Rail corridor, as well as along the planned Boulder FasTracks corridor near the site of ConocoPhillips’ growing energy tech campus. To contact Koelbel and Company, visit Koelbelco.com or call 303-758-3500.
-END-

With temperatures sizzling in Denver, this is a great day to drive over Berthoud Pass (high in Winter Park today, 76 F) and see those new, bright, very private ProngHorn townhomes and the new prices that go with them: From as low as $419,900, with views of the back ranges, trails and amenities, a free shuttle to the lifts during winter, just five minutes from Winter Park’s shops, bars and dining.

Rendezvous is making that move because buyers are back in the market, taking advantage of deals that would never have been possible two years ago. “Grand County offers the best values in the mountains, super accessible for Front Range families,” says Keith Neale, president of Colonnade Communities, who saw 27 new homes go under contract since last fall, eating up practically all inventory. “These plans are the most popular we’ve ever offered, and now they’re at much lower prices.”

That $419,900 delivers a big mountain home, 1,500 square feet with a main-floor master and finished walk-out space (most have a 2-car garage). Meanwhile, Rendezvous can show you something for even less money, for unbelievable size and luxury.

Colonnade has a BigHorn 5-bedroom custom home, 4,215 feet plus 2-car garage, with clerestory windows that glimpse the aspens, three master suites for you and guests, designer kitchen, view of Byers Peak, and furnishings/provisions including linens and tableware. It was priced originally at $1.6 million; but you can buy a quarter-share at only $399,000. “It’s a perfect alternative for a family that won’t use a home more than three months a year total,” says Silvio DeBartolomeis, vice president at Koelbel and Company, Rendezvous’ developer. He’ll take a $2,000 deposit to hold a quarter-reservation while Colonnade packages your ownership.

You’ll also see private Mary’s Pond, where I saw a 14-inch trout leap this week; the Fraser River wandering nearby; picnic area/trails leading to the National Forest beyond, and the historic Cozens Ranch Museum beside Rendezvous’ Discovery Center, where the family can tour an original Pony Express site. Take I-70 west past Idaho Springs to U.S. 40; then west 28 miles, through downtown Winter Park, another half mile to the Discovery Center on right, look for the Rendezvous moose.
–
If you go…

WHERE: Ranch-style townhomes with finished walk-out lower levels & attached garages at Rendezvous, resort community in Winter Park. Quarter-shares on new luxury custom home. Take I-70 west past Idaho Springs to U.S. 40; west on 40 28 mi. to Winter Park; continue through downtown, another half mi. to Discovery Center, look for the moose.

PRICE: From $419,900; luxury-home quarters $399,000
WHEN: Today and daily, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE: 970-726-8200 WEB: RendezvousColorado.com

Professionals Miracles Foundation was founded by Denver area real estate agents in 2000, as a support for families who are battling life threatening illnesses, particularly those involving children.

“We’re looking at Pradera as a venue that will take our very successful tournament to an even higher level,” says Rebecca Kenny with RE/MAX Professionals, 2010 Birdies for Blessings Event Chairperson. “It’s a terrific course that’s genuinely fun and challenging to play, with clubhouse facilities that will add character and capability to our silent auction and ceremonial events surrounding the tourney,” Kenny said.

Kenny adds that Pradera has an ambience that fits the warm, engaging atmosphere of Birdies for Blessings. “Playing in this tournament is always a great social experience, as well as a very moving personal encounter with other professionals who are genuinely interested in helping others,” Kenny added. “For a course with terrific golf architecture, Pradera has a family feel to it that will complement this event and draw in new participants.” The Club at Pradera, she added, had actively sought to recruit the Birdies event from its former long-term venue at Inverness Golf Club.

Major supporters of Professionals Miracles Foundation include agents with RE/MAX Professionals, who launched the charity in 2000 on behalf of one agent’s daughter who waged a successful battle with childhood leukemia. The Childrens Hospital Foundation remains a principal beneficiary of the PMF and of Birdies for Blessings, along with individual families needing financial or other support, often identified by agents and their contacts in the community.

Check-in for Birdies for Blessings begins at Pradera at 10 a.m., Aug. 30, followed by a noon shotgun start. Players register for $250 to include range balls, a hole-in-one competition, and a benefit dinner following at Pradera’s attractive Mt. Elbert Dining Room overlooking the course, where guests can bid on sports memorabilia and other silent auction items. The dinner also includes a public auction of some priority sports and travel items. Dinner tickets exclusive of the tournament are available for $50.

Kenny added that Professionals Miracles Foundation maintains an exceptionally low ratio of overhead costs, well below 10%, and that 100% of its financial support is spent within the Denver Metropolitan Area. Positions for the 2010 Birdies for Blessings Tournament are $250, and Kenny and other organizers are actively seeking hole sponsorships ($250), special dinner sponsors ($2500 to $250), and donations of auction items. To register, visit www.professionalsmiraclesfoundation.org, or contact Becky Kenny at 303-570-9190.
-END-

WHERE: Birdies for Blessings Golf Turnament to benefit Professionals Miracles Foundation, The Golf Club at Pradera, Parker, CO
ENTRY FEE: $250
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 30, Check-in 10 a.m., Shotgun Start non
PHONE: 303-570-9190 WEB: www.professionalsmiraclesfoundation.org

“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

Lindsey’s dad Jim Wiseman created these six, dazzling townhomes for an area not as well known as Highland or Wash Park. But since the first of the year the small group of buyers that’s seen St. James Row in San Rafael has bought one ($775,000); gone to contract on a second, with a third being written now.

“Their jaws drop at the view,” Lindsey Wiseman says. “We had one visitor that said ‘My husband wants a place in the city, but I want quieter, with a mountain view.’ I said, ‘Here you can have both.’” From the rooftop deck, she pointed to the Flatirons and Indian Peaks behind Boulder, filling the horizon next to downtown and Coors Field’s lights.

Jim Wiseman told me that under new zoning, he’d never again be permitted to build three-level luxury townhomes in San Rafael, with its remarkable stock of historic Victorian homes along Emerson Street. Thirty years ago, Wiseman was driving around here and was smitten by an 1880s Queen Anne, across 22nd Avenue from the townhomes’ site. He rescued it (now his personal home), then went on to restore another 80 residences on surrounding blocks; including numbers along Emerson that will be brimming with garden floral displays when you arrive today.

The other jaw-dropper, Lindsey says, is the price-per-foot. For under $250 (the lowest remaining unit is at $639,000, for 2,600 feet plus 2-car garage and 460-foot deck) Wiseman delivers interiors that are sublime; MUCH more expansive than townhomes you’ve seen in other downtown areas; with a level of trim to match: Brazilian tigerwood floors, glass tile, designer cabs, plenty of low-voltage lighting, sound pre-wire, and an automated dumbwaiter in each home: Push a button and it will carry 200 pounds of luggage or groceries from garage to kitchen (or today, a cooler of ice and a case of wine up to the rooftop deck).

And don’t miss the neighborhood itself. “I went running today over to City Park and ran into nine people from here,” Lindsey said. The city has a new bike lane down 22nd to the park; meanwhile, this is just a 4-block walk from Uptown’s ‘restaurant row’ on 17th. Take Josephine/York north along City Park to 22nd, then turn west 12 blocks; or visit the gallery in St. James Row’s web site at StJamesRow.com.
-
If you go…

WHERE: St. James Row, three-level contemporary townhomes with views of downtown skyline, in San Rafael Historic District, furnished model, rooftop decks. 2200 Emerson St., Denver; from Cherry Creek, take Josephine north (becomes York) past Colfax, 1 mi. to E. 22nd Ave., turn left, 1 mi. to Emerson

PRICE: From $639,000
WHEN: By Appointment
PHONE: 303-859-3864, 303-250-8091 WEB: StJamesRow.com

Realtor Joan Pratt with RE/MAX PRofessionals can show you five houses ranging from $750,000 down to $560,000; just a tad over the half-million mark that’s a rough dividing line between buyer’s and seller’s markets now. “Properties are selling at a faster rate than a year ago,” says Pratt, who lives in and specializes in Bell Mountain Ranch.

All have lots 2.5 acres or larger, and good views. Four miles south of Castle Rock’s shopping district, Bell Mountain Ranch was built out at 305 properties, some ranging to horse properties at 35 acres. Pratt went to contract last month on one property that sold at $75,000 above its listing price, and has a number of sales this year.

“Bell Mountain Ranch is helped out not just by views, but by the fact that we have community water, not wells,” Pratt says. “When people see it, they’re swept away, particularly at prices you’re seeing now.”

Residents have 27 miles of trails, a ten-acre park that’s the setting for community barbecues and events, a 40-acre equestrian center, over 1,000 acres of open space, and something that earns lots of safety points: a million-dollar underpass on Bell Mountain Parkway that avoids crossing the Union Pacific tracks from Colorado Springs. “Many recent sales are out-of-state buyers,” Pratt noted. “If you’re from California, Texas or North Carolina, this just looks like what you expect the Denver suburbs to be.”

Such as 4628 Starfire Circ. at $650,000 -– a walkout ranch with 4,588 feet, four bedrooms and a 3-car garage on a 3.34-acre site. Built in 2000, it has 66 trees and a stocked trout pond. With the high quality of infrastructure, taxes ran $7,894…but its HOA fee was just $450 for the year. Others homes are at 4587 High Spring ($560,000); 1238 Riva Rose Cir. ($600,000), and at 3741 Serenade and 4704 Starfire, both $750,000. To visit, take I-25 south to Exit 181, Plum Creek Pkwy, east under the freeway to Wilcox, then right (south) down the Frontage Road, 4 miles to Bell Mountain Parkway. For the Starfire listings, turn right on Bell Mountain Dr., then left on Old Gate for a half mile.
-END-

WHERE: Five homes on acreage in Bell Mountain Ranch, custom community, Castle Rock. 4628 Starfire Circ., Castle Rock; take frontage road south from Plum Creek Pkwy, 4 mi. to Bell Mountain Pkwy; right on Bell Mountain Dr., left on Old Gate.

PRICE: From $560,000 to $750,000
WHEN: By Appointment
PHONE: 303-704-8224 WEB: www.JoanPratt.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.
-
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

Today you can tour an exception. No. 1325 S. Josephine in Denver’s Cory-Merrill area, north of I-25 and east of University, is a 2005 custom that blends with its block like toast goes with marmalade.
Builder Ryan Homes, which has done numbers of customs in Cory Merrill, created a brick front porch that looks for all the world as if it’s a remainder from a historic bungalow…and preserved the mature trees as part of its plan for the roomy (6,250-foot) site.
These sites in Cory-Merrill (Realtors like to call it ‘South Bonnie Brae’ to tie it to its higher priced neighbor north of Mississippi) often run larger, on streets that may be quieter and less congested, than buyers see over in Wash Park. Cory-Merrill, adds Kentwood agent Susan DiLiberti, gets its name from its two, popular schools at Florida and Steele: Cory Elementary (where she has a second-grader enrolled) and Merrill Middle.
DiLiberti, who lives three blocks north in Bonnie Brae and has plenty of experience with both areas, says agents have seen a pickup in sales this spring in Wash Park and Bonnie Brae, the famous neighborhoods with their boutique shopping districts that saw big runs in prices during the better market.
This home (the sellers, moving to California, have it listed at $950,000) is below the mid-point of Cory-Merrill’s current market of ten newer/expanded homes priced from $850,000 to $1.2 million, two of which have gone under contract in the past two months.
‘Seamless’ is the word DiLiberti gives to the architecture you’ll see in this one; both for its nice transition to the neighborhood, and for a high standard of design and finish on all three levels inside. It has four bedrooms, four baths, 3,238 square feet plus another 1,800 in a finished basement – including art niches, and a beguiling formal dining room with its own fireplace and large niche for a hutch, linked to the kitchen by a butler’s pantry. There’s a very enclosed patio at the rear for outdoor living, and a mudroom with coat hooks and cubbies connecting to the alley garage.
The $950,000 price? “At over a million you’ll find this, but not at this price,” says DiLiberti. To reach 1325 S. Josephine, take University north from I-25 to Louisiana, turn east one block and right.

PRICE: $950,000
WHEN: Today, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
PHONE: 303-336-0332 WEB: www.Obeo.com/603125

Peloton’s rooftop pool deck looks out of a view of the Flatirons, and anchors a $6 million community recreation center that’s one of many gathering spots for residents.

The Peloton, on the Boulder Creek Trail near the Twenty Ninth Street mall, has plowed through 34 sales since January, to buyers arriving from Atlanta, New Jersey, Long Island…as well as metro Denver. “They’re a highly educated, tech-savvy group,” says Peter Cushman, Peloton’s senior vice president. When the market dropped last year, Peloton dropped prices 20%. “We’ve been on a tear here ever since,” he adds.
Most sales have been though special events like the one today: a chance to see the $6 million community center with fitness club, lavish club lounge and 22-seat theater (where on any night you might find a chili cook-off, Oscars party, or the CU-CSU game), and a rooftop pool deck with a stunning view of the Flatirons. “The pool and hot tub are used 365-days-a-year,” Cushman says. Those amenities also spawn a vibrant community life, including a sustainability committee that’s already changed Peloton’s landscape plan and added compost collection and an eco-bus pass to carbon-reducing programs already in place, including community bicycles, bike parking in the 6-acre underground lot, and a bike-to-work plan. Neighbors make friends fast: One ad-hoc group flew off to Munich for Oktoberfest last fall. “I’m a developer,” Cushman says. “I can create a building, but I can’t create that.”

Meanwhile, spacious 2-bedrooms (from $389,900) and studio-lofts (only five left, from $249,900) are steps from Peloton’s Gindi Café and new Pizzeria Basta (Westword rates it Best Gourmet Pizza); where you can not only hang, but enjoy drinks and, some evenings, entertainment. During your visit today, you’ll tour entirely new model homes; Peloton keeps selling off the model. “We don’t want to,” says Cushman…however, a generally left-brain clientele gravitates toward buying finished homes where the use of space is already ‘visualized.’

Today’s event launches at 11; from the Turnpike take Foothills Pkwy north two miles to Arapahoe, west a block to 38th, turn right, then a quick left.
-
If you go…

WHERE: Special event, The Peloton, condo community next to Twenty Ninth Street shopping district, FHA financing, on Boulder Creek Trail. 38th St. at Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; take Foothills Pkwy north from U.S. 36, 2 mi. to Arapahoe, turn left 1 long block to 38th, right on 38th, and left into community

PRICE RANGE: Lofts from $249,900; 2-bedrooms from $389,900
WHEN: Saturday, May 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; daily 11-5 except Wed.
PHONE: 303-457-5230 WEB: www.thepeloton.com