Luxury living meets the great outdoors in Denver area
By LISA KLEIN
Rocky Mountain vistas and an abundance of year-round outdoor adventures have long been a draw in Colorado, and the metropolitan amenities of Denver and the Front Range – the entire area along the mountains – seal the deal for luxury homebuyers.
Buyers have been flocking to the area for years, and it continues to top lists of the hottest markets in the U.S. – no surprise to real estate professionals.
“Denver and the Front Range offer an unbeatable blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty – a cosmopolitan lifestyle within a stone’s throw of some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the nation,” said Orly Ripmaster, Front Range market president at Slifer Smith & Frampton.
Mile highs
According to the U.S. News Housing Market Index released in August, the Denver MSA (metropolitan statistical area) is the hottest market in the country, thanks, in part, to its big-city offerings in a more relaxed atmosphere than larger urban centers like New York or Chicago.
“Above all, Denver is wonderfully livable,” said Ann Kerr, an agent with Kentwood Real Estate. “Many options for schools, leisure and cultural actives, community and healthy lifestyle can be found here.”
A wide demographical range of newcomers have long sought to call the Denver area home, a trend that increased during the pandemic.
“Young professionals and singles are drawn to the vibrant job market and social scene,” Ms. Ripmaster said. “Families flock to this region for its excellent school districts and family-friendly communities.
“We’ve [also] noticed a trend of adventurous retirees who appreciate the region’s natural landscapes and an active, fulfilling lifestyle,” she said.
Outdoor activities are never far away, with the area’s famed ski resorts and Rocky Mountain hikes within an easy drive.
“Denver offers the unique opportunity to start off the day on the nearby ski slopes and head down the hill for a round of golf or a hike in the afternoon,” Ms. Kerr said. “Numerous hiking and biking trails are readily accessible as well as stand-up paddle boarding and open-water swimming at the Gravel Pond at Chatfield State Park.”
Denver residents also love to cheer on their numerous professional sports teams, from football to basketball and baseball, throughout the year.
“This region is not just about nature,” Ms. Ripmaster said. “It’s a cultural hub with world-class museums, music festivals, championship sports, craft breweries and a culinary scene that has Michelin reviewers raving.”
Mountain sides
There are many pockets throughout the Front Range currently attracting luxury homebuyers.
In Denver itself, the south-side neighborhoods of Cherry Creek, Country Club, Washington Park, Observatory Park and Belcaro offer proximity to the city center along with plenty of upscale amenities.
“Cherry Creek North, a neighborhood that exudes urban sophistication, has become a hotbed of luxury living,” Ms. Ripmaster said.
Just south of Denver, the nearby suburbs of Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village are coveted locales.
“Luxury buyers have long flocked to Cherry Hills Village, and the trend continues – close enough for an easy commute, yet it feels like the country,” Ms. Kerr said. “Greenwood Village is also highly sought after, with large acreage properties within minutes of the Denver Tech Center.”
Farther northwest of Denver, nestled against the Flatiron mountains, the town of Boulder is another high-end option near the University of Colorado, research and tech hubs and the famous pedestrian shopping area Pearl Street Mall.
Whatever the location, luxury properties in the Denver area must have larger lots for plenty of outdoor space with fantastic views. Inside, buyers want sustainable and smart-tech features.
“Discerning buyers are increasingly seeking not just homes, but sanctuaries, and our regional luxury market is tailor-made to cater to this luxury evolution,” Ms. Ripmaster said.
“Our exceptional quality of life, paired with the timeless appeal of our natural landscapes, will continue to draw newcomers,” she said. “Unlike most regions across the United States, Denver and the Front Range are more than just places to live, they are a lifestyle – the perfect canvas for a life well-lived.”