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Downtown

Downtown

Neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder County 80302

$1,406,511 Average Value
$974 Average Price per Sq Ft
22 Homes For Sale

An all-in-one urban living experience

With unique shops and trendy restaurants on nearly every corner, Downtown is the center of Boulder’s urban lifestyle. Condos and office buildings sit on the top levels of commercial spaces, making it easy to commute within the area or enjoy the picturesque mountain views. “My office is on East Pearl, and I can walk to lunch, take a hike from here on a mountain trail, walk to the University or visit Boulder Creek,” says Broker Associate John McElveen with Milehimodern, who has over 40 years of experience in real estate. “It’s an interesting and lovely place to live and work.” As one of Boulder’s original neighborhoods, Downtown is lined with older brick buildings that pay homage to its Western roots and provide the perfect blend of history and modernity.

Sunset casts a golden hue on Pearl Street’s storefronts in Downtown Boulder.
Sunset casts a golden hue on Pearl Street’s storefronts in Downtown Boulder.
People gather to explore Pearl Street’s offerings in Downtown Boulder.
People gather to explore Pearl Street’s offerings in Downtown Boulder.
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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.

Pearl Street is Boulder’s center for food and shopping.
Pearl Street is Boulder’s center for food and shopping.
Explore Broadway and Pearl in the heart of Downtown Boulder.
Explore Broadway and Pearl in the heart of Downtown Boulder.
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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.

Contemporary Apartments make easy living in Downtown Boulder.
Contemporary Apartments make easy living in Downtown Boulder.
The sky gleams against downtown apartment windows in Boulder.
The sky gleams against downtown apartment windows in Boulder.
Modern condos and contemporary apartments enhance Downtown Boulder living.
Modern condos and contemporary apartments enhance Downtown Boulder living.
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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.

Avanti Rooftop Bar offers breathtaking sunset views in Downtown Boulder.
Avanti Rooftop Bar offers breathtaking sunset views in Downtown Boulder.
Families play on the iconic buffalo sculpture in Downtown Boulder.
Families play on the iconic buffalo sculpture in Downtown Boulder.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is a local favorite for art the community in Downtown.
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is a local favorite for art the community in Downtown.
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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.

Pick up some succulents from the Boulder Farmer's Market in Downtown.
Pick up some succulents from the Boulder Farmer's Market in Downtown.
Bands on the Bricks in Downtown Boulder is a free music concert on Pearl Street.
Bands on the Bricks in Downtown Boulder is a free music concert on Pearl Street.
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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.

Public transportation is convenient and accessible in Downtown Boulder.
Public transportation is convenient and accessible in Downtown Boulder.
Stroll through the vibrant Pearl Mall, a Downtown Boulder highlight.
Stroll through the vibrant Pearl Mall, a Downtown Boulder highlight.
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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.

A white water paddle boarder takes a shot at one of Boulder Creek's Rapids.
A white water paddle boarder takes a shot at one of Boulder Creek's Rapids.
Boulder Creek offers serene water views and lush green surroundings in Boulder.
Boulder Creek offers serene water views and lush green surroundings in Boulder.
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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.

2,139 students attend Boulder High School.
2,139 students attend Boulder High School.
in the Sugarloaf neighborhood.
in the Sugarloaf neighborhood.
Whittier Elementary School emphasizes academic excellence and personal growth.
Whittier Elementary School emphasizes academic excellence and personal growth.
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Brittany Bell
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Brittany Bell
Eli Tye
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Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Scott, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Denver International

53 min drive

Bus

Pearl Street And 10th Street

Bus

Broadway & Canyon Blvd

Bus

20th St & Pearl St

Bus

Downtown Boulder Station Gate 4

Bus

Walnut St & 18th St

Bus

Arapahoe Ave & 14th St

Bus

Downtown Boulder Station Gate L

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

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,377,500
Median Single Family Price
$940,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,172,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$1,164,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$995,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$974
Number of Homes for Sale
22
Last 12 months Home Sales
46
Months of Supply
5.70
Median List Price
$1,165,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
41%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
329
Median Year Built
2005
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,835
Below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,480
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,582
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
864
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to David Scott, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,121
Median Age
30
Population under 18
14.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$54,833
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$100,074

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.8%
College Graduates
75.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
21''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
56''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

100 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

99 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

61 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk 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.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown
David Scott
Slifer Smith & Frampton-Bldr
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