One of Denver’s Most Active and Exciting Historical Neighborhoods is LoDo
Lower Downtown–or LoDo, as it is commonly referred to–is located in the area where Denver was founded in 1858 by General William Larimer. Today, LoDo is a vibrant 25-block urban neighborhood comprised of brick warehouses, industrial buildings and commercial structures that have been renovated into offices, lofts and retail space.
Lower Downtown was a bustling commercial area during Denver’s early years. However, much of Denver’s industrial economy shifted away from Lower Downtown after World War II, and almost one-fifth of the buildings in the area were demolished in the 1960s and 1970s. In order to preserve Denver’s historic legacy, Denver City Council created the Lower Downtown Historic District in 1988. The historic district designation introduced zoning ordinances that limited building heights, preserved dozens of buildings from the wrecking ball, and instituted strict guidelines for building rehabilitation and new construction. Tax incentives and grants attracted investors to LoDo’s brick and stone structures. More than 20 buildings in LoDo have been renovated since 1991.
Where is Lower Downtown (or LoDo) Denver is in the center of downtown. Its boundaries are: Cherry Creek, 20th Street, Larimer Street, and Wynkoop Street. It was the original location settlers first established Denver. Many notable LoDo landmarks chronicle the evolution of the city. One of its best known sites is historic Union Station, which was originally built in 1881 and later rebuilt after a major fire. The station still serves Amtrak, Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, and public transportation rail services. Beyond this historical landmark, LoDo is renowned for its superb shopping and night life.
Modern day LoDo is a mixed-use neighborhood that is also a regional destination attraction for entertainment. Art galleries, literally dozens of restaurants, brewpubs, jazz clubs, and specialty retail stores line the ground floors of historic buildings. LoDo residents enjoy proximity to outdoor parks and amenities, including the Cherry Creek bike path, the 16th Street Mall, and the recently completed 30-acre Commons Park in the Central Platte Valley. Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, anchors the neighborhood’s northwest corner at 20th and Blake Street. Wynkoop Street is home to historic Denver Union Station, the Tattered Cover bookstore, and the Wynkoop Brewing Co., Denver’s first brewpub (and the country’s largest) that opened in 1988.
LoDo housing options range from million dollar lofts to below-market rate apartments. New construction-housing projects are beginning to appear as the number of vacant buildings in Lower Downtown available for renovation shrinks to nearly zero.
The most notable construction projects in Lower Downtown at this time are three new office buildings that were recently built on the former sites of surface parking lots.
REAL ESTATE
If you would like additional information about Historic Lower Downtown real estate in Denver Colorado as well as anywhere in Denver Metro Area contact us at 1-800-791-3990 ext 232.
Jeffery McClintock, is a real estate broker in Denver and prides himself on providing clients with professional guidance in all phases of residential new construction, including market research, product development, consulting, marketing and advertising. His personal mission is to bring to you a level of knowledge, experience, commitment, high standards and results to answer your real estate needs. He believes, the most effective way to provide superior service is to build a strong working relationship with you. His system includes regular consultations and feedback, which is the best tool for identifying and clarifying your real estate objectives and help define strategic solutions.
