The ad said “we build neighborhoods with front porches, so neighbors can sit on the porch talk across the yard”. My inner voice said, “hype! It’s just a marketing/sales speak to justify the extremely small lots with extremely large price stickers!
The buzzword is now “new urbanism”. What is it? New communities being designed with the old time “town” feeling in mind. Home buyers are expressing an interest to be close to shops, schools, grocery, the doctor, dentist and public transportation. Cars are being parked and the baby buggies and bikes are coming out.
The composition of today’s families are not like the traditional “Ozzie and Harriet’s” of the ’50′s. But like Ozzie & Harriet, homeowners of today are looking for a connection and community.
Telecommuters don’t have to get dressed to “go to work”. Their job can be done from anyplace that has a modem and electricity. Rush hours are optional and time clocks are foreign.
These trendy home buyers are looking to builders to provide an atmosphere of the best of the old, but with a new feel. Is it a fad? I don’t think so. Buyers are flocking to the new urbanism neighborhoods in droves.
For example, Denver has two huge plots of ground given back to the city for development, the first one, Lowry, was once an old Air Force Base. Today, it is the most interesting collection of lofts, flats, single family homes, estate homes, duplexes, patio homes all combined new a totally new town center. The town is almost totally populated with restaurants, retail shops and a grocery store. The locals have taken to buying beach cruiser style bikes (from the local bike shop of course) and riding them through the neighborhood.
The largest tract of land was formally Stapleton Airport. For years, millions of flights took off and landed here. Now, the only thing that reminds us of an airport’s existence is the flight tower; it’s an historic monument. The totally “green built” neighborhood is a delightful collection of a dozen different builders homes. All carefully chosen to provide high standards for the neighborhood.
Stapleton’s town is still being populated, but is very promising. In the summer on weekend’s you can visit the farmer’s market in the park. It’s all within walking distance of a very diverse neighborhood.
Other Urban Villages are popping up in the suburbs, along the Light Rail line (proposed and existing). Lone Tree in Douglas County to the south of Denver has an aggressive city plan. Last year Sky Ridge Medical Center was completed, giving the County it’s first hospital. The area surrounding the hospital is now being developed with the New Urbanism in mind. Single Family homes in the upper price ranges will be blended with the brand new “Ultimate Super Target” store and many other shops.
Certain areas of the city that once were The Place to be, like Cinderella City (one of the country’s first indoor malls), Villa Italia and Westminster Mall have became blighted over the years. Space was so dated it was hard to find a tenant to use it, so it was demolished. Now, risen in its place is a very cool urban area with polished new shops and high density housing all conveniently blended together.
The Denver Metro area is not afraid of change. Our city leaders, builders, planners and population welcome improvement and look for every opportunity to better the beautiful city we are fortunate enough to live in.
Hype? Perhaps, but I think Ozzie and Harriett would buy a home here.
About the Author
Kristal Kraft
Kristal has been helping buyers and sellers in Colorado since 1984. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the Metro Denver Real Estate market via blogging and in person while driving around the beautiful Rocky Mountain town of Denver! For fun, Kristal enjoys shooting things with a Canon. Visit Denver Photo Blog
Related posts:
Kristal Kraft
