John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... Becky Sable, assistant to Dee Chirafisi, the top residential broker in Denver last year and the co-owner of Kentwood City Properties, just sent me an online flyer of eight lofts and condos in downtown.
The units are priced from $299,000 to $389,000, dispelling the notion that downtown living is just for the rich. These units are priced right for many first-time buyers. I could also see people who own homes in the mountains snapping them up so they will have a permanent place to stay when catching a Rocky’s game or a show at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. And at these prices, I could see these units generating interest from investors who are bullish on downtown. I generally think that owner-occupants are better for the fabric of downtown, but investors buying market-rate units downtown would send a strong signal that the economy is regaining its footing.
What also struck me about these homes is their diversity. There’s a unit in the historic Denver Dry building at 1555 California St. on the market for $349,000, as well as units in new buildings in Riverfront.
1411 Wynkoop St.
But if you’re tastes and pocketbook run quite a bit richer, have no fear. Dee has two listings on Delgany St., 1453 and 1457, for $2.175 million each. And if you really have a lot of money burning a hole in your pocket, and you don’t mind leaving downtown for your dream house, Dee has a place in Cherry Creek North that can be yours for a cool $6.9 million.
