For those following DenverInfill and development trends around Denver, you will know that condo developments are disappointingly sparse. With projects such as Zia Sunnyside and POP Denver converting to apartments and leaving over 500 condos on the table in recent years, along with a new condo tower once every 10-15 years, new condos are a rare breed. The glacial pace of condo development can be attributed to many factors, such as lingering fears of defects litigation, projects not being able to pencil out certain price points, and multifamily apartments being a more attractive investment.
That said, The Arbory, a new condo development in City Park West, has stayed true to its course, starting and finishing as a condo development. Providing 41 for-sale homes in a five-story building, The Arbory provides a modest splash of condos sitting between high-rise and low-density. Since this is a final update, follow the link below to visit our previous posts on this project.
Moving on to the final update, let’s start with a handful of ground-level photos from around the project. Staying true to the rendering, The Arbory features a natural-themed facade with contrasting black columns throughout the building.
The ground floor features ample landscaping and shade thanks to the large, prominent trees in the neighborhood.
Last up, for the exteriors, below are many photos looking at the project from a higher perspective.
DenverInfill was able to tour The Arbory just before completion. The interior finishes are simple and modern. Part of the goal of this project was to keep the prices obtainable and not have over-the-top amenities and interior finishes. Please note these units were still under-construction during our tour and do not reflect the completed finish.
Before we continue, a big thank you to Brad Arnold of Slifer Smith & Frampton for the great tour!
The Arbory features 48 parking spaces for a 1.17 parking ratio. Because of the small footprint of the building, a three-level stacking system is used. Think of this system like a sliding puzzle.
Last up, a couple of views from the rooftop deck.
As we mentioned in our introduction, condo projects, especially in high-density renditions, are exceedingly rare, so they merit the celebration. We hope to see many more types of this development, providing dense carpeting around Downtown Denver. Welcome to the neighborhood, The Arbory! If you are curious about more details, head on over to The Arbory’s website.
| Project Description | Developer | Architect | Contractor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Stories | 41 condo homes | 48 (v) parking | Generation Development | Studio PBA | Generation Constructors |
I took a peek at their website and WOW, those prices are a joke. A 1000 sq foot unit costs more than my 2000 sq foot single-family home, and I’m sure there is a hefty HOA fee too. I will grant that this is a better location than my home, but still. I thought we wanted condos build to attract first-time home buyers and fill in the “missing middle”. If they’re only going to serve well-off clients then what is the point?
The problem is we’ve SEVERLY underbuilt in the condo market – if we had more supply I think it would make a big difference. And the hope is with new units coming to market, the prices on older condos will come down – time will tell.
New development is meant to control the cost of existing housing. The apartments are beautiful and modern, why would they cost anywhere around existing stock?
To go with fulfilling well off clients (which this price point is pretty low compared to most as another use said), those individuals will move out of a lower cost home allowing someone else to move in. The shuffle continues by allowing an unhoused person move into a low cost home. We need nice, expensive places just as much as low cost efficient.
The Arbory delivered 13 units (32% of the building) that were priced from $340,000 – $450,000 – a price point that is very hard to come by in Denver today – and doesn’t exist anywhere else in our city when it comes to new condos in a prime location.
Nice. Now duplicate this project like 48 more times on every empty parcel of land near downtown, please. This city is starving for developments like this. Hope it’s profitable enough to start a significant trend.
What’s happening on the cleared lot next to the Arbory?
Is that REAL WOOD on the facade?! Huge mistake. If so, that’s where all of the HOA fees will go: exterior maintenance. Great scale, like the design. Time will tell what kind of maintenance will go into the upkeep of the auto parking system as well. Looking forward to seeing how this will age.
It’s refreshing to see a condo development like The Arbory in City Park West that has remained consistent in its vision throughout its journey. Offering 41 for-sale homes within a five-story building, The Arbory strikes a balance between the high-rise and low-density housing options in the area. As this marks the final update on this project, it’s a great opportunity to revisit the previous posts to track its progress and evolution. It’s always interesting to see how such developments contribute to the ever-changing urban landscape.