The Central Platte Valley neighborhood’s general boundaries are I-25, Wewatta Street, Auraria Parkway, 23rd Street. A 120-acre expanse to the west of Downtown Denver that is home to about 1,600 residential units with another 820 under construction. However, after spending most of this century marked by rail yards, warehouses, viaducts and garbage dumps, the Central Platte Valley area is on track to evolve into an exciting, mixed-use urban neighborhood with even more homes, and more than 3 million square feet of offices, shops, restaurants and hotels.
There is a common perception that the majority of Downtown Denver’s housing growth during the 1990s has happened in Lower Downtown. However, the rate of residential growth in the upper end of Downtown–in what is often referred to as the central business district–has been on par with Lower Downtown. A critical project for Downtown residents was the extension of the 16th Street Mall to Commons Park, which now links Downtown with the Central Platte Valley. The pedestrian Mall gives Downtown residents (and workers) quick access to the 30-acre Commons Park and the other parks in the South Platte Greenway, with the Millennium bridge carrying pedestrians over the valley’s consolidated main line track into the vibrant Riverfront Park complex.
Currently, the most prominent landmarks in the Central Platte Valley area are entertainment venues: Pepsi Center arena, The Children’s Museum of Denver, Six Flags Elitch Gardens amusement park (one of few amusement parks located in a downtown in the US), Downtown Aquarium in Denver (formerly Ocean’s Journey) and the REI superstore (an outdoor goods retailer) in the renovated former historic power plant for Denver’s tramway system. Another big shift in the neighborhood has been the addition of 90 acres of parks along the South Platte River (Gates-Crescent, Centennial, Fishback, Confluence, Cuernavaca and Commons Parks, and the exciting new Skate Park–the largest outdoor public skate park in the US). These parks are the anchors for the Central Platte Valley’s residential community–”The Commons” neighborhood–that will be built over the next 20-30 years. Commons Park, the 30-acre centerpiece of this park system, was completed and dedicated in 2001.
In addition to these entertainment, recreation and cultural amenities, the Central Platte Valley’s biggest advantage is its proximity to Downtown Denver. Shuttle service on the 16th Street Mall–Downtown Denver’s primary retail, transportation and pedestrian corridor–was extended through LoDo and behind Union Station in 2001. The extension brings closer access to the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge over the consolidated train track that remains in the Central Platte Valley. Central Platte Valley residents have a 10-minute walk into Lower Downtown and Downtown’s central business district.
To enhance access in the Central Platte Valley, there are plans to develop an inter-modal facility at the historic Denver Union Station that handles passenger trains, regional buses, light rail and commuter rail, making it the hub of Denver’s metropolitan transportation system. A 1.5-mile light rail spur recently began operating in the Central Platte Valley, linking the Auraria Higher Education Center and Downtown, with stops at Central Platte Valley entertainment destinations (such as the Pepsi Center) and future housing and commercial developments.
While the land on the east side of the South Platte River is largely undeveloped, the west side of the Central Platte Valley between the river and I-25 has some characteristic red-bricked buildings with ground floor retail and restaurants and residential lofts above. Commons Park West, a newly constructed 340-unit apartment complex, is the largest of recent developments, along with East-West Partners’ Riverfront Park and Greystar’s new apartment complex, The Manhattan. There are also several historic warehouses in the Prospect area (northeast of 20th Street), including WaterTower Lofts, and Jack Kerouac Lofts in Prospect Place Village.
What makes the area so unique is the combination of luxury lofts, apartments, quaint shops, and plenty of green space is sure to attract those who want to be close to the urban hub but also have room to spread their wings, walk their dogs and roller blade or kayak all in the same neighborhood. A children’s playground is in the works, as well as a dog park, so families and man’s best friend will all feel at home.
REAL ESTATE
If you would like additional information about the Historic Central Platte Valley area 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.
