Denver Residents Check In To Resort-Style Living

The furious pace of apartment construction in Colorado does not mean cutting corners to get the job done. Rather, many developers are moving in the opposite direction.

Some of the latest communities to open their doors to residents offer all of the amenities found at some of Colorado’s exclusive resorts.

There are demonstration kitchens, pools with cabanas and individual fireplaces, game rooms and coffee bars. There also are features that, while maybe not found at posh resorts, are essential for residents living in the big city. Think dog runs and outdoor yoga spaces.

Here are three projects that recently started welcoming residents: The Confluence, Union Denver and Eviva on Cherokee.

The Confluence

The first thing visitors notice when entering The Confluence is that the building has its own valet. It is a complimentary service available to residents and their guests. There is also a 24-hour concierge and a package room, where packages are delivered into secure boxes that residents can unlock using their smartphones.

“With everyone using Amazon, apartments are having to do this by default now,” PM Realty Group Property Manager Eric Breuer said. “We’ll also bring the package to your door.”

For residents new to town or visitors who need directions or ideas of which restaurants are close by, there is an interactive touch screen to provide information. There is a yoga class on a dedicated lawn once a week, as well as high-intensity group training. The fitness center’s Woodway treadmills are the same ones used by the Denver Broncos.

On the pool deck, there are individual cabanas — each with its own fire pit. There also is a restaurant-grade kitchen that hosts cooking classes.

The 287 units in the 35-story building, which is only completed through the 12th floor, are 25% occupied and 33% leased since The Confluence opened its doors Aug. 17. There is a waiting list for the six penthouse units, which will each cost at least $15K a month to rent.

Developed by Houston-based PM Realty Group, The Confluence overlooks the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. It is close enough to both LoHi and LoDo to walk to a number of restaurants and businesses, yet far enough from the hubbub to feel a little more secluded.

“When we look at LoDo and the stuff around the train terminal, we call that the party,” PM Realty’s Executive Vice President of Multifamily Development Brian Nail said. “What we liked about this site was it’s convenient to go to the party, but it’s much more residential and quiet over here.”

Union Denver

At the heart of that party is Union Denver, which occupies a full city block between 17th and 18th streets and Chestnut Place and Wewatta Street near historic Denver Union Station. Three towers on the site have a total of 580 units, 30 of which are devoted to executive housing.

“Many of our neighbors are professional service firms that bring in consulting types,” Holland Partner Group Development Manager Brian Blackburn said. “We’re seeing flexible housing is a big benefit for the property.”

Since Tower I opened in May, it has leased 144, or 86%, of its 198 units. Tower II has leased 48 units, or 24%. Tower III, expected to open in March, will begin pre-leasing in January. The building’s resident demographic is predominantly male — it has a 60/40 ratio, Blackburn said.

Each of the three towers has a different theme — Urban Retreat, Organic Chic and Curated Contemporary. They share the Grand Hall, a 20K SF interior amenity that has conference rooms, a game room and a 6K SF fitness center.

The property has a full-time lifestyle director who organizes events like flying a sushi chef in from California or bringing sharks in from the Denver Aquarium in keeping with the theme of the movie “Jaws” in the movie screening room. The director also can get rink-side tickets to Colorado Avalanche games. There is a drop-off for dry cleaning, and, like The Confluence, a package room.

Union Denver also is the home of the much-anticipated 55K SF Whole Foods Market that opened Nov. 15. The store has independently operated restaurants, as well as pizza, sushi and mac and cheese bars.

Eviva on Cherokee

With its Golden Triangle location, Eviva on Cherokee appeals to art lovers who enjoy proximity to the Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum, the soon-to-open Kirkland Museum and a variety of other cultural attractions. Atlanta-based developer Integral Group paid close attention to the art it selected, using all but one local artist for its installations. 

The artsy quality is reflected in the building’s design. Integral Group commissioned Denver artist Garrett Brown to create the woodwork found throughout the project.

“We’re trying to keep it simple and sophisticated,” Integral Group Development Manager of Commercial Real Estate Martin Willie said.

Amenities in the 18-story building, which opened in August and is 50% leased, include a chef’s demonstration kitchen, a dog spa, a bike shop and an outdoor saline pool that is heated year-round. In addition to the weight and cardio areas of its fitness center, Eviva offers Wellbeats fitness-on-demand system that allows residents to make a reservation and choose their own workout classes.