So how exactly does a community become rejuvenated? What initially happens that sparks the process, and why does it continue? We'd like to examine Denver Highlands, one such Denver neighborhood that has undergone a renaissance of sorts and how it has effectively changed not just the look of the town, but its path going forward and its real estate prices right along with it.
To understand how we got here today, we need to understand where we came from. The town site of Highland was laid out in December 1858. After the May 1864 flood wiped out parts of Denver, new people moved up the hill to the west. The 15th Street Bridge made the western hills accessible, and as the years passed, streetcars made the area even easier to reach. After annexing Potter Highland and Highland Park, the Town of Highlands became a city in 1885. After money difficulties in 1896, the residents voted to allow Denver to annex the town. Scottish Highlands was a project of nineteenth century developers who wanted to "brand" a new neighborhood with a distinct identity. Hence the Scottish names and quaint curvy streets. The original name was Highland Park.
The arrival of the Denver Tramway Corporation streetcar line in Highland better connected the area to downtown Denver and led to growth. As a streetcar suburb, Highland developed commercial centers near streetcar stops, some of which still exist today, including 32nd Avenue and Tejon, Zuni, and Federal, as well as 32nd and Lowell in the West Highland neighborhood, now renamed "Highland Square".
The redevelopment of the Central Platte Valley in the 1990s - 2000s saw Highland's fortunes rise. Highland became far more accessible to downtown with the construction of the Denver Millennium Bridge, the Platte River Bridge and the Highland Bridge. Preservationists stepped in to save some of the city's most architecturally relevant buildings within the Denver Highlands neighborhood, while proximity to downtown led to rapid growth of the area. Today Highlands is one of the more sought-after city-center neighborhoods. Consequently, Denver Highlands' high-end condos and lofts replace older structures and parking lots to allow for its growth. Highlands, however, still offers a large stock of new and historic single family homes.
The intelligence in the planning and re-development of Highlands has been nationally recognized and held up as a model of proper 21st century urban growth. To see more details on how other Highland neighborhoods have adjusted to their popularity and what's coming next, check out Denver's 5280 magazine article on the topic here. It is expected that the demand for all kinds of homes in the Denver Highlands area will not be letting up any time soon.
Take advantage of this buying opportunity to live in one of Denver's most desirable neighborhoods! If you’re thinking about buying a home in Denver Highlands, we can help. We also can show you some terrific properties in Englewood, homes in Washington Park, or real estate in Greenwood Village.
Until next time,
Marianne Bandy
Comments(2)