By Mark Samuelson

The wide, well appointed, modestly priced townhomes opening at Chroma on Larimer are just a few blocks from Coors Field and its orbiting bars and clubs…and around the corner from the RiNo art gallery scene. The first buyers here (10 homes are left) have come from the art/design world…but when the Blake Street crowd gets a load of these big units, that could change.

Sales agent Chris Behrens shows off a 1,722-foot townhome opening on Larimer Street a few blocks from Coors Field. It has a private 2-car garage and rooftop deck.

The first two Chroma units–each with a street-level “live-work” space–sold to gallery owners (Plus Gallery, in the neighborhood since 2001, is relocating here)…and another went to a buyer who designs sportswear. But downtown Realtors, who had a sneak preview at a party last week, are telling the developer that the size and pricing of these homes…each “deeded” to own the ground below and a private 2-car garage…are re-shaping prices for the surrounding area. more »

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. more »

WHERE: Blueprint, new-build loft style condo at Colfax and Madison. Pre-sale by Coldwell Banker Devonshire in Cherry Creek, 200 Fillmore Street, Ste. 300.

PRICE: From $260s, penthouses from $400s
PHONE: 303-704-0911 or 303-987-4978

When Coldwell Banker Devonshire agent Ali Van Westenberg launched pre-sales last summer on Blueprint, 39 new lofts designed for Colfax and Madison two blocks from the old Bluebird Theater, she’d taken 16 contracts within weeks. A few months later, as newspapers were filling with bad news about the national real estate market, construction financing went into limbo…but 15 contracts held tight, and now Blueprint is under construction and selling again.

The developer, meanwhile, has new financing in place and has launched construction at the site, within a short walk of some venerable eateries like Good Friends, Bastien’s Steak House and Star Cafe…and a longer stroll to the new Tattered Cover.
more »