Greenwood Hills

Majestic homes may be the central focus of Greenwood Hills, but newcomers find themselves looking upwards in awe at the natural set dressing. “All of the land here used to be apple orchards, so you’ve got all these mature, deciduous trees,” Jennifer Markus, Kentwood Real Estate broker, says. She’s worked with Greenwood Hills and the other coveted communities in Greenwood Village, Colorado for 25 years. “It’s one of the best things about the place. You really can’t find mature lots like that anywhere else in the Denver area.”

The trees provide a Secret Garden-esque canopy for some contemporary estates, but brick finishes and a miniature sculpture garden are still visible from the street. Other homes are sprawling stucco-and-tile and bordered by foliage, with room enough to still see the mountains through large bay windows. Everyone invests in professional landscaping, and everyone has their own spin on what looks best, whether that means a gazebo overlooking a koi pond or a paved roundabout. Greenwood Hills is HOA-free, and while the community may not have the sport courts or pool that often come with a membership, residents certainly have enough space (and creative license) to build their own. Regardless of their individual choices, they all pay between $2.5 and $3.5 million before putting down roots.

The foliage also provides plenty of shade for passersby on the Greenwood Village trail system, which meanders through Greenwood Hills and creates a walkable path to the neighborhood’s public parks. Smaller patches like Monaco-Crestline are great for walking the dog or bringing some sandwiches for a picnic, and there’s a reason Westlands Park has won several awards and recognitions. Interactive features like musical instruments and water play, three different playgrounds designated by age group, and rock climbing facilities for pros and children alike are all reasons for neighbors to congregate under shady pavilions. And true nature lovers are just a short drive from several nature reserves, including Cherry Creek Reservoir.

When children in Greenwood Hills aren’t out on their bikes or at the Westland playgrounds, they’re getting an education that’s frequently hailed as one of the best in Colorado. After starting at Greenwood Elementary (which earns an A from Niche), they move through the Cherry Creek School District to West Middle School, which also earns an A. Some skip the transition and spend their fundamental years at Cherry Creek Charter Academy, yet another A. Cherry Creek High School earns an A-plus and is bested only by Stargate Charter School in Niche’s rankings for the best public high school in the entire state of Colorado. And of course, there are plentiful private school options as well.

Fully-fledged greenery has one more, perhaps unintended effect on life in Greenwood Hills: it acts as a sound cushion from Interstate 25 and commuters arriving at work just a mile to the east. “The neighborhood is right in the heart of the Denver Tech Center area – literally right next to the buildings – but it’s so quiet that you’d never guess,” Jeff Eheart, distinguished Re/MAX Leader and father of four children raised in nearby Centennial, says. “It’s like you're living in the country.” Unlike the countryside, however, shopping and dining are almost as close to home as the parks. Cherry Hills Marketplace is central to all Greenwood Village communities. Locals pick up essentials from Trader Joe’s and stop by TJ Maxx or Nektar Juice Bar, groceries still cold when pulling into the driveway soon after. And they have their druthers when it comes to the gourmet restaurants bordering the DTC, or they hit up The Original Pancake House for a German style Dutch Baby Pancake or biscuits and homemade gravy.

“Greenwood Village is already convenient, and Greenwood Hills is smack dab in the center of everything,” Markus affirms. “People will seek out this community all the way from Chicago because it's so desirable.” One trail walk under the foliage come Autumn, and it’s clear to see why.

Written By

Emma Downes

Photography Contributed By

Karl Brewick

Video By

Francisco de la Vera