“Arapahoe Square, located just north of Downtown Denver, is envisioned in the City’s adopted plans to become a densely populated, vibrant mixed-use district.”

-City of Denver Community Planning and Development Department

Arapahoe Square in Denver does not have construction cranes, it does not have apartments buildings currently rising, and it does not have real estate agents touting its trendy restaurants and boutique shops. . .yet.

Today marks a unique moment in the history of this neighborhood, as it will not be long before its bones and urban fabric are changed forever. Currently the area is a plethora of parking lots, unused buildings, and crumbling sidewalks. It truly is the last bastion of gritty honesty that can be found near downtown Denver.

Located northeast of downtown between 20th Street, Tremont Place, Park Avenue West and Larimer Street, Arapahoe Square represents a portion of Denver that has largely been untouched while other neighborhoods adjacent to downtown Denver are seeing their surface lots rapidly disappearing to future developments.

However, those involved in the development community are fully aware of Arapahoe Square’s development potential.

Brandon Shaver, a Denver-based urban planner specializing in business improvement districts and land use economics shares his thoughts on Arapahoe Square’s potential.

“Arapahoe Square is ripe with development potential. As downtown Denver continues to densify, Arapahoe Square offers a great opportunity to create a walkable transition from the central business district to the Five Points and Ballpark neighborhoods. This is especially true along Welton and Larimer streets where significant reinvestment and redevelopment is occurring north of Park Avenue. It is my hope that Arapahoe Square square transforms from a sea of barren parking lots into a unique, tightly-knit urban neighborhood with a diverse mix of housing options,” said Shaver.  

In discussions that Denver Urban Review has had with developers, some have stated they have plans to develop projects in Arapahoe Square. 

We do know that projects are coming. Denver-based architecture firm Kephart is designing a 12-story apartment project in Arapahoe Square, but they are not at a stage to release a formal statement or renderings as the design and financing have yet to be finalized.

It is written on the City of Denver’s Community Planning and Development website, “Arapahoe Square, located just north of Downtown Denver, is envisioned in the City’s adopted plans to become a densely populated, vibrant mixed-use district. Neighborhoods Plan, adopted by City Council in 2011, recommends creating new form-based zoning for Arapahoe Square in order to help implement this vision. City Council Districts 8 and 9 worked with Denver Community Planning and Development to form a technical task force to guide the development of new zoning for Arapahoe Square. The task force is composed of residents, business owners, land owners, developers, design professionals, and other stakeholders that represent Arapahoe Square and its immediate surroundings.”

An Arapahoe Square Technical Task Force meeting is slated to be held on Wednesday, August 26th at the Mile High United Way at 711 Park Avenue West. For more information about Arapahoe Square including technical information such as zoning and design guidlines, visit this page of the City of Denver’s website by clicking here.

Below are additional Photos of Arapahoe Square from August 8th, 2015.