$413,864Average Value$571Average Price per Sq Ft94Homes For Sale
Downtown Denver’s “work hard play hard” neighborhood
With vibrant art and an eclectic restaurant scene that sit among high-rise office buildings, the Central Business District is an embodiment of the live-work-play lifestyle. Referred to as just “Downtown” by locals, the neighborhood serves as the beating heart of Denver with its central location, businesses, nationally known retailers, theaters and condominiums – all within walking distance of each other. “The Central Business District is kind of the pulse of Downtown,” says Nicholas Dembeck, a broker associate with The Agency, who has over 15 years of experience. “There is a vibrancy in this area that one would truly call the Downtown lifestyle comparable to other big cities.”
Sculpture Park highlights the Central Business District skyline.
16th Street Mall is very walkable in Central Business District.
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Exploring the city’s pedestrian promenade
As the heart of Downtown, the Central Business District is flush with shopping and dining experiences. Many of the high-rise office buildings have unique shops and restaurants on the lower levels that cater to foot traffic. Denver’s original Masonic Temple, built in 1889 and identifiable with its red sandstone exterior, also hosts the Appaloosa Grill on its ground floor. Known locally as “The Horse,” the restaurant serves made-from-scratch American comfort food. This establishment, along with many others, is found along the 16th Street Mall – a pedestrian promenade and major retail artery for the city. The area is currently undergoing major renovations and should be completed by 2025, though businesses continue to stay open and flourish despite the construction. Restaurants on the strip include Kealoha’s BBQ, with its Hawaiian-inspired dishes, and West of Surrender, a saloon and kitchen serving up modern versions of Old West dishes. Along 16th Street, “there are tons of patios and rooftop bars that offer amazing views of Downtown and the mountains,” Dembeck says. Nighttime brings a whole new level to the scene, with establishments like FTW Denver and Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery. In addition to the food, pedestrians can find local stores and national retailers lining the streets. Name-brand stores include H&M, Sephora and Target. Gift shops, novelty stores and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory add a fun flair to the area’s directory.
Central Business District residents meet up with friends at Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery.
Central Business District residents can get a great dinner and drinks at Appaloosa Grill.
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Art and culture at every corner
Downtown's entertainment options are limitless, with many venues and museums adding to the area’s art and culture scene. The Denver Performing Arts Complex is a four-block facility with 10 performance theaters, including a ballroom, concert hall, opera house and more. “No matter what you’re looking for arts-wise, it’s the key place to go,” says Caroline Campbell, Public Relations and Communications Manager for Visit Denver. “I grew up in the suburbs of Denver, and we would often come to Downtown to watch plays like The Nutcracker.” Outside the venues, Sculpture Park is known for its towering 60-foot sculptures dubbed “The Dancers.” Next door is the Colorado Convention Center, which hosts over 400 events and expos each year. Visitors strolling through the area are greeted by the famous 40-foot blue bear sculpture that has become the city’s unofficial mascot. The American Museum of Western Art has a robust collection of frontier paintings spanning three levels. There’s also the Denver Firefighters Museum and the whimsical Museum of Illusions with its interactive exhibits.
The Denver Performing Arts Complex in Central Business District features events all year long.
Central Business District residents and visitors enjoy the Sculpture Park downtown.
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Community events within walking distance
Directly south of the Central Business District, Civic Center Park is a local hotspot for festivals and community events. Holiday-specific ones include a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, a Fourth of July party and a holiday parade in the winter. The park also hosts many concerts for local and touring artists. “In the summer it’s just a great place to spend your time. On Wednesdays there are food trucks that come to the park,” Campbell says. Another community hub in the area is Union Station, which is located a mile north. The Urban Market is a farmers market that takes place on Saturdays and Sundays, showcasing local vendors with everything from fresh produce and baked goods to jewelry and furniture.
The slider eating contest is underway at BBQ Fest Denver in the Central Business District.
Traditionally dressed ladies of the Cherry Blossom festival pose in Central Business District.
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A selection of quality condos
Although dominated by commercial buildings, Downtown has impressive condominium housing options. Condo buildings range from contemporary high-rises to old Art Deco buildings that were converted from commercial to residential use. The Denver Dry Goods Company building was converted into condos after the business closed in the 1980s and now stands as a local landmark with its red brick exterior. One of the more modern condominiums, Spire Condos, towers over 40 stories above 14th Street and is known for its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Many of the condos in the area share similar price tags. Homebuyers can find a one-bed, one-bath unit with 950 square feet for as low as $400,000, or a unit with two beds and two baths that’s 1,300 square feet for $750,000. Many of these buildings come with additional amenities such as a parking garage, fitness center and community pool. There are also a handful of condos around 500 square feet for $200,000 to $300,000.
Spire Condos are a perfect example of urban condo living in the Central Business District.
The Denver Dry Goods Company building in Central Business District was converted to condos.
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Traveling around Downtown
As the center of downtown Denver, the Central Business District has numerous commuter options. Five RTD light rail stations are within the neighborhood, and two additional ones are less than a mile away. Most are located along Stout Street and California Street and connect to Lines D, H and L. Additionally, there are bus stops on virtually every street from local transit services. Denver’s Union Station is less than a mile north for train travel. Those who prefer driving a vehicle can access US Highway 70, also known as Colfax Avenue, at the southern end of the neighborhood. People can also travel by foot since the streets are pedestrian-friendly. “It’s one of our most walkable areas in the city. You don’t need a car to get around,” Campbell says.
Getting educated in the city’s public schools
Children living in the Central Business District don’t have to travel far to access Denver Public Schools. Greenlee Elementary School is a couple of blocks south of Colfax Avenue and maintains a B-minus grade on Niche. From there, students can attend McAuliffe Middle School. Known as an Innovation School, McAuliffe has a B grade and provides numerous community service and field trip opportunities. West High School has been serving the community from its grand English Gothic-style building since the 1920s and earns a C grade. Students at West have access to college credit courses and internship opportunities through its CareerConnect program.
Combatting the city’s crime
The CAP Index for the Central Business District has a crime score of 9 out of 10, which is higher than the national average of 4. This could be due to the area’s high density of commercial buildings and volume of foot traffic. Many condominiums combat the risk of property crime with security measures like video surveillance, and the city’s police department regularly provides tips for crime prevention through their media outlets.
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
Are you familiar with the Central Business District neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Central Business District
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Central Business District Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Central Business District, Denver sell after 77 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Business District, Denver over the last 12 months is $447,000, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
