Denver’s Villa Park neighborhood, south of Lakewood Gulch from Federal to Sheridan, is seeing two arrivals this new year, one high-tech, the other low-tech but just as hard to get approved.

Builder Mark Druva (left), architect Mike Kephart and Councilman Paul Lopez check progress of an ADU taking shape near the new Knox Court Light Rail Station.

Right across Sanchez Park from the new FasTracks station on the route from downtown to Golden, builder Mark Druva is trimming an ADU – accessory dwelling unit — a detached cottage behind a house, that can be home for grandma, or a college kid, or renter.

Award winning architect Mike Kephart became fascinated by the ADU concept after he kept noticing little cottage-sized houses that manage to survive decades at the rear of many city lots. Now he’s a national advocate for ADUs; and opened Sidekick Homes to design them, including one you can tour by appointment (it and its adjacent primary house are set for completion this spring, at $195,000).

City Councilman Paul Lopez (he not only represents Villa Park but grew up there) says ADUs are a solution to the problem that eventually faces older residents – having to give up their home after they can no longer live completely independent. “Why should you leave a neighborhood where you raised your family?” he asked, as he dropped by 1095 Julian Street to see how the ADU was coming a football-field southeast of the new Knox Court Station.

Druva can show you how he remodeled the small 2-bedroom home at the front of the 6,250-foot lot, then built the ADU out back, 576 square feet with a studio bedroom-kitchen and bath, all ADA accessible. The size, Kephart notes, is exactly the dimension of a 2-car garage, raising the possibility that after some structural changes, you could create one on top of your alley-load garage.

But getting ADUs past neighborhood associations and city planners was no walk-in-the-park, Kephart adds, noting that Denver’s new 2010 zoning allows them in 13% of neighborhoods. He estimates that the buyer of the Villa Park home could rent the ADU for $500 or $600 per month. Grandma might not have to pay rent; but that could still be a good deal for a college student, who could hop on Light Rail (the West Rail Line opens in 2013) and be into Metro, CU Denver, or west to Red Rocks Community College, without going near a car.

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IF YOU GO

[BOX] WHERE: ADU – accessory dwelling unit, small cottage adjacent to a primary home, near Denver’s Sanchez Park, for housing an elderly parent, student, or renter; for viewing by appointment only. 1095 Julian St., Denver; from Federal head west on W. 10th 5 blks to Julian, then north

PRICE: $195,000
WHEN: By appointment only
PHONE: 303-790-1129 WEB: DruvaRedevelopment.com KephartLiving.com

Toll Brothers’ Cynthia Considine shows the model opening at Solterra – master-planned community that blends Tuscan style architecture and prime access to bike trials.

You can peddle over for a look at what they’re getting today as Toll Brothers – a builder with a feel for luxury and intimacy – grand-opens its alluring ‘Bella’ model at Solterra. “This is a biker’s paradise,” says Toll Brothers’ Cynthia Considine, who’s already sold nine homes at Solterra without the benefit of this creative model home, with terrific outdoor living spaces, lavish finishes, and a custom-home sense of arrival, all at a production price (from the mid-$500s).

You’ll also see the bigger home sites that Toll Brothers has at Solterra – averaging ten or 11,000 square feet, as well as Solterra’s palazzo-scaled ‘Retreat’ pool and community center, reclining on a hillside with Red Rocks and Dinosaur Ridge as a backdrop. “It’s an amazing facility with all kinds of events,” says Emily Henkel, who adds that her husband’s commute into downtown will be no-sweat from Solterra – juxtaposed against the MUCH easier access to trials for road or mountain bikes (he owns both).

Those are a nice match to Toll Brothers’ standard 3-car garage (some tandem, some facing courtyard-style) with plenty of room for outdoor toys. All of these plans are designed for creative flexibility indoors, as well – they can go three, four, or even five bedrooms (one ‘Costa’ 3,200-sq. ft. main-floor master design can go six) without moving into basement space. That said, in the model Toll Brothers will also show you a memorable basement finish rendered by Doris Pearlman at Possibilities, with a gaming station theme, appealing bar, and a very functional home theater – plus loads of additional space at a low cost-per-foot.

Meanwhile, Considine has been visiting with Solterra residents who’ve dropped by to sneak a peek at the model, while craftsman were outside finishing up a fireplace/pizza oven you’ll see in the back terrace. “All of them rave about the schools here,” she adds. She’ll show you how close this is to Hayden Green Mountain Open Space, as well as the community’s own trails. Take C-470 north from Morrison or south from I-70 to Alameda, then east; or can also arrive from Lakewood on either Alameda or Morrison Road, to Indiana.

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If You Go…

WHERE: Grand opening, Toll Brothers at Solterra, master-planned community by Brookfield Residential, Tuscan-styled ‘Bella’ model, 3-car standard garage, options for 4 or 5 bedrooms, Tuscan architecture. 2157 S. Juniper, Lakewood; take C-470 either north from Morrison or south from I-70 to Alameda Pkwy; head east 1 mi. to Indiana, then south 0.4 mi to W. Evans Pl.

PRICE: From $542,995, other builders from low $400s to $2M
WHEN: Today, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE: 303-237-3354 WEB: TollBrothersAtSolterra.com or MySolterra.com

Village’s Ete Rondeau shows off a 4-bed-plus–study model at Idyllwilde in Parker. She has two homes set for move-in now, and three others timed for the beginning of the school year.

Now they’re unloading boxes in a new 2,200-square-foot Village home in Idyllwilde, a master-planned community in Parker that’s a little over a mile from Pioneer Elementary and walking distance from Cimarron Middle School, both of them 8-for-10 stars at GreatSchools.org…and closer still to Legend High, 9 stars.

Today Ete Rondeau at Village Homes will show you exactly what they got at Idyllwilde…and a couple of quick routes that could have you swinging into those same schools for classes starting next month. She’ll also point you toward a lot of attractions aside from schools that made Village’s Idyllwilde a two-time winner of the BAR Award as ‘Best Community’ in the entire Denver area – a hilltop setting with views of the mountains, a community design that creates the same ambience those famous Denver city master-planned communities have, and some very attractive amenities, including a prairie-style community/aquatic center, wrapped by trails and scenic open space.
That master-planned look and the scenery lure an unusual number of buyers from out of state, who want something that “looks like Colorado”…but also captured the Allinas, who stumbled on Village’s attractive information center while they were headed for a resale house. “It’s the best of both worlds,” Aaron Allina told me when I caught him picking up some gear from a Parker big-box store. “What you get for your money (in their former neighborhood) is a lot less, with a smaller yard. I like a 3-car garage, and the ability for kids to go out and play.”
Today Village has two family-sized homes that are ready for move-in now…and three others on track to deliver later in the month. (If you’re living close enough to get your kid there, you could contract even on a new home start, and enter your student now). One ready right away is a Washington plan, five bedrooms, five baths, 3,231 finished square feet with a finished walk-out basement…showing loads of premium finishes, including granite tops, stainless appliances and maple cabs, at only $359,900.
And, as part of the deal, you get Village’s Colorado born-and-bred service. “Everybody says the process is flawless,” says Rondeau…and Aaron Allina agrees. “We love it,” he says. Idyllwilde is east of Parker Road on Hess, 1.4 miles to Canterberry Parkway, then north beyond the high school.
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If you go…

WHERE: Idyllwilde by Village Homes, family-sized ranch, main-floor master & 2-story models, awarded ‘Best Community’ for its open space & amenities; special pre-school-year pricing. 22040 E. Idyllwilde Dr., Parker; take Parker Road south to Hess, turn east 1.4 mi. to Canterberry, left to Idyllwilde Dr., left to Village Homes ‘Guest House’

PRICE: From the $260s to $500s
WHEN: Daily 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE: 720-842-0830 WEB: VillageHomes.com

Shea Homes’ Erin Tripp and Scott Beaumont show off ‘SPACES’ models at Reunion.

You’ll see those today…including a handful that could actually close by Dec. 15th, making for a ‘cool Yule’ in a very contemporary pad with Jetsons architecture, expanses of laminate hardwood, a Euro-style kitchen in chrome and stainless, sexy splash-bath with dual showerheads; not to mention a 40-inch flat screen, part of the package.

But there’s something else that’s driving those sales. “These are people that really don’t want cookie-cutter architecture,” says Beaumont. Not surprisingly, he adds, lots of them are coming out of older, Denver city neighborhoods, where they’re used to having plenty of architectural character, but without the size and the new home features that Shea provides.

Those buyers, Beaumont says, are the same people attracted to the ‘new-urban’ master-planned communities inside Denver city limits. But at Reunion, they get big, single-family spaces, with bigger yards, for around two-thirds the cost…and still have the parks and community events they hear about in those big areas.

“Absolutely everybody gets a pocket park within a short walk,” says Beaumont. Meanwhile, Reunion has 7-acre South Lawn and 52-acre Reunion Park, with lake and water-slide rec center as part of the package – hosting summer movie nights, plenty of holiday events, and non-stop kids’ sports surrounding its Landmark Charter Academy and Brighton 27-J schools, all year long.

At Reunion, the monthly HOA for all of that is only $20. Meanwhile, in addition to the hipness and the low prices (from the 180s!), SPACES has another reach for that buyer — energy savings. With 2×6 construction and other conservation features, Shea shows you an elaborate Energy Star rating that uses real SEER performance to let you see just how much you’ll save on living expenses. “Wow,” another buyer commented, “that’s less than I spend on energy in my apartment.”

You can see those projections…along with the models, and some interest rates that could have you into 1,736 square feet (‘three sleep, three splash!’), in time for the holidays, for under $200,000. Take Tower north from Pena Blvd. to 104th, then west a quarter mile to Reunion Parkway and follow the signs.
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If you go…

WHERE: ‘SPACES’ 3- & 4-bedroom single family models by Shea Homes at Reunion; homes designed for how families really live today; amenities at low prices; Otis Spunkmeyer cookies. From DIA/Pena Blvd, take Tower Rd. north to 104th; west 1/4 mi. to Reunion Pkwy (big red silo); right, follow signs to models. (Or from E-470 exit 104th, head west ½ mi.

PRICE: From $180s, quick delivery from $198,900
WHEN: Today 10-6, Sunday 11-6
PHONE: 303-286-7601 WEB: SheaSPACES.com

“We watched it for a long time,” said Oakwood’s Sales Director Kristen White, looking out on the trail system that passes close to the ‘Family Center’ with gym and community events, and to Belle Creek’s own Haraf Foods community market. ‘New urban’ neighborhoods generally command higher prices; but when a builder pulled out last year, affordably-oriented Oakwood made a move.

“It’s a perfect fit for us,” White adds, showing off six new floor plans you can see today, each with a new-urban style alley-loaded garage that Oakwood specially designed for the neighborhood. Included is one ‘Big Value’ plan offering three or four bedrooms at 2,100 square feet, priced at $218,600…basement included, if you buy now.
The Roses and other neighbors are delighted to see Oakwood arriving to build out the community (builder Pat Hamill met with a packed house of residents to announce plans). Meanwhile, after three years the Roses say Belle Creek still looks like Pleasantville, with its village architecture (“It looks like a movie set,” Levi’s parents said when they visited from Utah)…but also the neighborly feel. “It’s the front porches; people mingle with their neighbors,” Levi adds. When he went through a bout with cancer last year (he now has a clean bill), 600 people turned out at a support meeting in the Family Center.
Oakwood is keeping the front-porch ambience. When Oakwood’s Dwayne Montoya shows you the six plans today (from $179,500), he’ll also fill you in on a special, pre-sale ‘buyer bundle’ deal: add three special features onto your package at no extra cost, from a list that includes a spa-style bath with seamless glass-door shower and rain head; full window coverings; front yard landscaping; and/or closing costs.
Oakwood’s pre-sale center is on Belle Creek Boulevard in Henderson, just west of Hwy 85 at 104th. From I-25 or I-270, take I-76 north 5 miles, angle left on 85, then left on 104th.

WHERE: Grand opening, Belle Creek by Oakwood; affordable single-family series in new-urban community with shops, recreation, charter school. 10502 Belle Creek Blvd., Henderson; from I-25/I-270 take I-76 north 5 mi., angle left on Hwy 85, left on 104th 1 blk to Belle Creek. Or take 104th east from I-25, 5 mi.

PRICE: From $179,500; ‘Big Value’ home with basement, $218,600
WHEN: 10-6 daily
PHONE: 303-486-8728 WEB: HomesPeopleLove.com

“It was a no brainer,” said Rachel LePera, who stopped by the new ‘Carmel’ model in Balboa at Stapleton, that’s become Infinity Home Collection’s fastest selling home. During their home search, the couple made a can’t-do-without checklist: great kitchen, usable outdoor space, finished basement for entertaining, and room for her baby grand piano. She had something else that she shares with many other younger buyers gravitating toward new-urban neighborhoods: a taste for modern, contemporary styling with wide open living spaces.
That fit like a glove with Infinity’s designs at Balboa, off 29th Avenue four blocks east of Stapleton Town Center, close to where Infinity had its successful Sky Terrace collection…more expensive. “Younger buyers kept coming in, telling us that they wanted this look, but in a single-family detached home at a lower price,” recalls Infinity General Manager Dave Steinke. “We trusted what we learned from those people.”
You can see how that came together in this Carmel plan that the LePeras bought. It has an open living-dining-kitchen area, with a study beyond where the piano is headed; and three bedrooms (including a luxury master with big walk-in), a loft and upstairs laundry. Infinity is finishing the basement ‘man-cave’ style for Jeff…with a wet bar, plus a guest bedroom suite, bringing the space to 3,100 feet.
The LePeras fit a profile of new-urban buyers committed to city living: She’s a dentist in Parker, but picked Stapleton over the suburbs; he supplies equipment to hospitals and medical research campuses nearby. Both also decided early on that they didn’t want the size limitation and maintenance hassles that go with older houses. “We don’t want to have to work on our house every weekend,” says Rachel LePera. “This is more of a long-term plan for us.”
Working into that plan is Balboa’s close proximity to Town Center and its shops and eateries (they’ve already been to Casey’s Bistro a few times) as well as schools, new library, and a pool/rec center coming soon to Stapleton’s vast Central Park. Take 29th east thru Stapleton’s Town Center, four blocks to Trenton and left.
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WHERE: Balboa at Stapleton by Infinity Home Collection, ‘Carmel’ model grand opening today, contemporary single-family designs 1,727-3,100 s.f. E. 29th Ave at Trenton, Stapleton; take 29th Ave. east thru Stapleton’s Town Center, 4 blks to Trenton, left.

PRICE: From $439,900 WHEN: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PHONE: 303-316-0730 WEB: www.InfinityHomeCollection.com

For their move-up in Stapleton, Kevin and Lisa Coyne chose the same floor plan as the Oxford 5 model by Parkwood Homes, open today near Stapleton’s vast Central Park.

In a year when many builders are offering models that look like Swedish furniture stores indoors, Parkwood has gone the other way — straight back to the classic look of colonial towns with names like ‘York’ or ‘Middlesex.’ There’s nothing ‘minimalist’ about the Oxford 5; it’s flush with gables and spindle stairs and lush wainscoting to waist high. Company President Jack Fleury developed the style for Gaithersburg, Maryland; and then heard about Stapleton’s community design — oriented to recreate the appeal of an older, Eastern town.

“We’re big believers in these traditional neighborhoods,” Fleury said, “and it looked like Stapleton would be one of the best in the country.” Now that hunch has paid off many times over, with a whopping 46% of Parkwood’s buyers here moving up from inside Stapleton, a large portion of whom have personal ties to older houses and communities.
As we talked, as if on cue, a Maryland couple walked in, touring Stapleton after a job interview. Yes, they already knew about Parkwood — from Kentlands, a new-urban area in Gaithersburg. “It’s also the personalization that makes us stand out,” says Parkwood’s Heather Barben, who’ll be on hand with Dede Jeffery today, to greet you with Mother’s Day goodies. She worked with the Coynes on their preferences: wi-fi work spaces (both work from home for West Coast companies); basement wet bar, great play area for a five-year-old daughter and for a son they’re adopting soon from China; and a new-urban ‘carriage house’ over the garage (three recent buyers have opted for them).
Meanwhile, the Coynes average two trips a week to the park (there’s a ‘Wye’ Craftsman-style that faces it, priced $481,900); and spend time hanging out in BlueFin Sushi in Stapleton’s Town Center. Did they ever consider moving away from Stapleton when their first home started to seem too small? “It was never an option,” Kevin Coyne says.
Prices are from $435,000; from 29th east of Town Center, head east to Central Park Blvd., north past MLK to E. 35th and east. Ask about Parkwood’s program to install a solar electric system; and for a taste of what moms here enjoy all year long, visit StapletonMoms.com.
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WHERE: Mother’s Day open house by Parkwood Homes in Stapleton, 3-&-4-bedroom traditional American stylings near Central Park, cookies & drinks today. 35th & Beeler St., Stapleton; from Quebec take MLK Blvd (32nd) east 6 blks to Central Park Blvd., north 2 blks to E. 35th, east 12 blks

PRICE: From the $430s
WHEN: Today noon – 5 p.m., 10-6 weekdays
PHONE: 303-320-4938 WEB: StapletonDenver.com

Metropolitan’s Julia Sherman (left) and Melodie McCuaig look out over the new-urban design of Vallagio from a loft.

“These final homes are a steal,” he says. “People need to know the window is closing; you’ll never be able to build at this price.”
Vallagio is giving something else back, to anybody wondering whether this is really the right moment–a 34-month buy-back guarantee. Purchase a loft right now, and if you decide down the line it’s not a fit, developer Metropolitan Homes will take it back.
That offer covers any reason for making a change 34-months into ownership — you haven’t made enough appreciation, or you’ve been transferred out of town, or whatever. With a close-out incentive that Metropolitan is including with all of these, lofts start at only $224,000; two luxurious row homes (3-bedroom, 3-1/2 baths plus 2-car garage) are both in the $390s.
Those prices have driven 11 sales over the past three months…half of them to buyers coming to Colorado for jobs at United Launch Alliance, Comcast and other Inverness employers. “They all want to be around the energy here,” says sales manager Julia Sherman. Metropolitan’s team, she adds, is excited by the social synergy that residents express…parties, progressive dinners, nights out at Inverness’s Spotted Dog restaurant.
Today only, you’ll find a 1-bedroom loft incentive-priced at $224,000…with a granite island, hardwood floors, stainless appliances including fridge and washer-dryer, balcony with gas hookup, and a dedicated space in the underground parking. One hundred dollars will hold it to contract (an offer that applies on any of these).
And be sure to check out the larger 2-bedroom (from $284,000) and 3-bedroom corner-lofts. Vallagio’s sales gallery is just east of I-25 on Dry Creek to Inverness Drive West and right a block.
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With tax credit set to end, final row homes and lofts “are a steal” in new-urban neighborhood beside Light Rail

If you go…

WHERE: Sixteen final 1-to-3-bed lofts, 2 final Row Homes at Vallagio, new-urban neighborhood at Inverness Golf Club, guaranteed buy-back. Take I-25 to Dry Creek Rd., head east 1 blk to Inverness Dr. West, right 1 blk to sales gallery entry.

PRICE: Lofts from $224,000, 2 Luxury Row Homes in $390s
WHEN: Daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
PHONE: 303-222-1370 WEB: www.Vallagio.com

Whether or not you’re chasing after something in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood, you’re unlikely to tour any house more fun than one in Sunnyside, north of W. 38th, two blocks east of Federal. Beaux Arts-trained architect Eugene Groves began work in 1935 on a 1-bedroom there, two years before he did Johnson’s Corner gas station on old U.S. 85 near Longmont, saved from a wrecking ball in 2002.

Highlands developer Chuck Murphy of Epic Realty restored this all-concrete landmark by Denver architect Eugene Groves.

This house, which spent the 1980s-1990s sheltering jazz percussionist Marc Bertoni, could have easily met a similar fate. Of 40 buildings Groves created (numbers of landmarks on the CSU campus), only a dozen ever gained historic preservation; and when Mr. Bertoni began ailing, this one wasn’t on the list. “It would have been a historical sin if it had been torn down,” says Highlands developer Chuck Murphy, who spent two years restoring 2733 41st Street for the market, preserving all its quirks.

…The most prominent being the architecture: Solid concrete…brick walls coated inside and out in concrete, a concrete dome, concrete floors over the basement…even an upstairs office, with desk and bookshelves in concrete. “Concrete was his gig,” Murphy told me, noting that Groves (devotees have a web site at EugeneGroves.org) was pals with mining/cement magnate Charles Boettcher and shared a vision with him: Concrete could create an inexpensive house that would be immune from the hazard of fire, still on the city’s collective mind from the famous blaze of 1863.

That quality, Murphy says, gives this place a diminutive premium of $330 for hazard insurance…and some energy performance that sounds incredible for a place built when leaky steel-frame windows were the thing. Mid-winter gas-electric bill, he notes, is about $115.
You’ll be wowed by an effect in the living room under that concrete dome. Murphy will show you a place to sit where you can hear everything said by somebody 20 feet away at the fireplace, magically amplified. There’s a berth-style concrete double bed upstairs…and a kitchen that looks to be from a Union Pacific streamliner, with stainless cabinets and virtually everything else of concrete, even the vent hood and dish shelves.

Also…a blackboard set in concrete, sort of a ‘computer workstation’ from the days before computers…a copper-door safe (the combination comes with the deed)…and this inscription in tile above the oven-range space: ‘No matter where I serve my guests, it seems they like the kitchen best.’

The Groves house is priced at $349,900…on view 11-4 today.
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WHERE: Landmark 1935 house, 1,430 sq. ft. plus basement, by Harvard-trained architect Eugene Groves, in Sunnyside neighborhood. 2733 W. 41st Ave., Denver; take Park/W.38th Ave. west from I-25, 2 mi. to Clay, right to 41st, ten left; or take Federal north to 41st, right 2 blks

PRICE: $349,900
WHEN: Sunday, Sep. 27, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
PHONE: 303-760-2701