By Mark Samuelson

Taking the opening tour of these penthouse-style Wynkoop Residences will show you just how much downtown living has changed over the 20-year span since the first LoDo “loft” emerged in 1990 at 15th and Wynkoop Streets. And what hasn’t changed, too.

Dee Chirafisi and Jim Theye of Kentwood City Properties take in the view of LoDo from Wynkoop Residences, grand opening, on the street where it all began.

Starting with location. When you turn south into Wynkoop, you’re in the core area where the idea first caught fire that people would want to live in Denver’s oldest downtown district. Edbrooke Lofts (1990) is across the street; Acme Lofts (1992) is south over the historic iron rail bridge (Manny’s Bridge) spanning Cherry Creek, on the way to the Pepsi Center.
Those early loft projects lured other attractions to the blocks near Union Station: Tattered Cover, the MCA Museum, and dozens of clubs and restaurants that are a short walk from this site; with more to come (Brazilian-style Fogo de Chao opens a block north this summer).
Even without those magnets, this is probably the very best place to create a downtown residence: The creek and its bike path open up views to the mountains, as well as into downtown. Widely respected developer Opus Northwest has done a very attractive and private entryway, and parking (two spaces for two-bedrooms, one for one-beds) with extra space where residents will be able to park their party guests; something that’s been a problem as LoDo lures bigger crowds.
One thing that HAS changed——the use of the word ‘loft.’ “We call these penthouse-style residences,” says Dee Chirafisi of Kentwood City Properties. “A new concept like this is a contrast to when they were doing the loft look on warehouse buildings, with the exposed pipes.”
Chirafisi understands LoDo. Along with Managing Broker Jim Theye, she was among a handful of agents who founded Kentwood as the first full-service residential office in downtown, ten years ago next month. She’ll host you today during the first chance to see a finished building…where only ten of 22 residences remain available for sale.
Those include No. 805: a 2-bedroom with a huge master suite, contemporary finishes, and a big deck that looks across LoDo into downtown (price: $1,044,900). You can also pick from some “white box” units where you can still meet with a designer and order finishes…and a handful of one-bedrooms still available from well under $400,000.
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If you go…