Downtown
Neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder County 80302
Top-level housing options
Downtown is primarily comprised of multi-use buildings, including contemporary condos on the higher levels of commercial spaces. Many of these buildings have brick exteriors, balconies, open floor plans and modern kitchens. There are one-bedroom, one-bathroom units for as low as $900,000, while units with two bedrooms and two baths can go for $2.6 million. Additionally, newly constructed townhouses on the eastern edge of the neighborhood, past Pearl Street Mall, stand out with a sleek, modern look and dark trim with stone accents. The price for these multistory townhouses ranges from $1 million to $3.3 million, depending on size.Recreation along Boulder Creek
While most of Downtown is a typical cityscape, there’s an area along Boulder Creek that has a splash of greenery. South of Boulder Canyon Drive, there’s a walking trail that follows the water and there’s a creekside playground with slides that is a part of the Boulder Public Library. “We’re really proud of our walking trails,” McElveen says. “Some of them take off right from Pearl Street and go to Red Rocks. People can take walks on their lunch break.” The Boulder International Peace Garden is a dedicated area along the creek that was created by University of Colorado students and promotes “peace through respect” with its multi-language totem.High-rated Boulder Valley Public Schools
Children living in Downtown Boulder can start their education at Whittier International Elementary School, graded B-plus by Niche. Whittier is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School with a Primary Years Program. From there, students can head to Casey Middle School, which earns an A-minus. Boulder High School maintains an A grade and is ranked as the No. 9 Best Public High School in Colorado, according to Niche. Students can participate in Concurrent Enrollment at the University of Colorado. “All the Boulder schools have very high scores. My kids went to them, and they’ve done well,” McElveen says.Downtown's annual community events
Downtown hosts several events throughout the year that bring the community together. The Boulder Creek Festival mimics a farmers market along the water with its hundreds of artisans and food vendors, allowing for samples from local restaurants while listening to live music performances. In July, the Pearl Street Arts Festival takes over the pedestrian thoroughfare, showcasing hundreds of artists with sculptures, paintings, beadwork and more. There’s also the annual Boulder International Film Festival and a series of events in December for Light Up the holidays, including a parade.Walking, riding or catching a bus
Between its wide sidewalks and the Pearl Street pedestrian area, Downtown has a Walk Score of 98. Restaurants and shops are right next to condos and office buildings, making it easy to navigate without getting into a vehicle. Even so, traffic is usually more congested the closer drivers are to the shops and restaurants. Commuters who need to leave the area can hop onto Boulder Canyon Drive, also known as Colorado State Highway 119, to access the rest of Boulder. For public transportation, there are stops for the HOP and SKIP bus services along Pearl Street, Walnut Street, Canyon Boulevard and Broadway. There’s also a bus station on 14th Street. The Denver International Airport is only 42 miles away for commercial flights.Pearl Street’s shops and restaurants
Downtown Boulder is lined with plenty of retail and tasteful eateries, making it a premier spot for shopping and dining. “Within the entirety of downtown, there are over 100 restaurant options, from food carts to Michelin restaurants,” says Terri Takata-Smith, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Downtown Boulder Partnership. Pearl Street Mall is a pedestrian thoroughfare in the neighborhood that boasts everything from clothing stores such as Pendleton to gift shops and specialty stores like Peppercorn and Lush Cosmetics. There are also multiple outdoor equipment and sporting goods stores throughout the strip. In between stores are local restaurants with modern vibes. Black Cat is a bistro featuring locally sourced New American dishes, while Bramble & Hare is known for its seasonal menu and microbrews. Avanti Food and Beverage is a high-end food court serving international cuisine with a rooftop bar. In 2023, Colorado's Michelin Guide recognized Frasca Food and Wine with a star for its Northern Italian dishes. For something quick, there’s coffee at one of the many cafes or ice cream from Gelato Boy. “Each block on Pearl Street was meticulously designed to encourage connections and collaborations,” Takata-Smith says. “Children can be entertained with natural play areas, including a pop-jet fountain, giant rocks to climb and explore and marble statues to interact with. There are resting areas and carefully planned out entertainment spots for buskers too.”On the western side of Downtown past the pedestrian strip, more restaurants and bars create a colorful nightlife. West End Tavern is an old-school brick pub with a rooftop lounge for enjoying the mountain views while sipping on cocktails. For groceries, there is Lolita’s Market & Deli with its local food products.
Enjoying what the city has to offer
Arts and culture influence Downtown, with multiple entertainment venues in the area. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art showcases rotating exhibits of local and international artwork. There’s also the Boulder Theater, which hosts live music and avant-garde film viewings. “I always encourage people to explore the full length of the district. There are so many hidden treasures to be found in the East and West Ends,” Takata-Smith says.


Agents Specializing in this Area
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David Scott
Slifer Smith & Frampton-Bldr
(720) 807-3617
37 Total Sales
1 in Downtown
$925,000 Price
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Zack Scott
Homestead Real Estate LLC
(814) 482-2483
107 Total Sales
2 in Downtown
$1M - $1.6M Price Range
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Ann Cooper
RE/MAX of Boulder, Inc
(253) 802-8569
70 Total Sales
3 in Downtown
$677K - $685K Price Range
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Janet Leap
RE/MAX of Boulder
(720) 706-7274
187 Total Sales
2 in Downtown
$1.4M - $1.5M Price Range
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Joel Ripmaster
Slifer Smith & Frampton-Bldr
(303) 731-4853
31 Total Sales
1 in Downtown
$4,000,000 Price
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Michelle Clifford
Compass - Boulder
(844) 722-1891
170 Total Sales
5 in Downtown
$750K - $2.5M Price Range
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
Robbery | 4 | 4 |
Burglary | 7 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
Larceny | 8 | 4 |
Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown, Boulder sell after 81 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown, Boulder over the last 12 months is $1,065,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
Good Transit
Transit Score®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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