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Green space is at a premium in Denver these days, especially for urbanites hoping to live in Denver’s most lively neighborhoods while also staying connected to Colorado’s natural surroundings. S*Park Sustainability Park, a mixed-use development that opened last fall in Five Points, satisfies both desires.
The condo building at Lawrence and 25th streets encompasses 91 contemporary units, a private park, a greenhouse, an on-site Denver B-cycle station, and a variety of retailers.
“Everyone [who lives here] believes in community and being in the energy RiNo has to offer,” says Jonathan Alpert, partner at Westfield Company, the project’s developer. “It’s the best of both worlds: You get the action of RiNo—the movement of the city, traffic, light rail —but you have this community that’s very quiet, very peaceful.”
The light-filled units have 10-foot ceilings and range from 519-square-foot studios to 2,322-square-foot, three-story, three-bedroom condos with private decks. Prices start at $299,000 and go up to $850,000; residents also pay an HOA fee.
Alpert talks a lot about “intentional, thoughtful development,” and you can see that at play throughout the living spaces, with all bedrooms designed to accommodate king-size beds, and LED lights integrated into the bathroom mirrors. (We didn’t love that some of the secondary bedrooms have open closets, though. Where do you hide the four outfits you tried on and discarded before your dinner date?)
The architects at Tres Birds Workshop designed the kitchens, part of an open floor plan, with plenty of storage—plus a couple of oh-so-trendy open shelves—quartz countertops, and Bosch appliances. (Buyers can choose dark cabinetry and light floors or vice versa.)
Every unit also has outdoor space, whether it’s a main-level patio or a massive upstairs deck. At the street level, large metal planters—which the residents can plant themselves, if they choose—separate units rather than gates or fences. “It encourages folks to connect,” Alpert says. Similarly, the private park that sits between S*Park’s (pronounced “spark”) two sides is meant to be a gathering place for residents. It’s decked out with swings, whimsical birdhouses designed to mimic historical Curtis Park homes, and teepee-like structures decorated by the Ladies Fancywork Society. Herb plants and fruit trees (cherry and apple) surround the community grills and picnic tables. Even the storm-water drainage area surrounding the green space is pretty: The metal structures create little waterfalls that cascade along the edges of the park when there’s enough water coming down.
Property-wide environmentally friendly initiatives include a solar rooftop, the use of reclaimed brick throughout, and a compost valet to help residents responsibly discard food waste. Westfield also decided to move the parking below-ground to “get rid of the car as a focal point,” Alpert says.
Unlike a lot of recent builds across town, the ground floor is enlivened by a variety of retail offerings. Uchi, the popular sushi spot from James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole, anchors the west side. There’s also Lacuna Juice and Yoga, an organic juice bar that serves an array of clean eats and doubles as a yoga studio, and a to-be-announced bakery; two retail spots are still being filled.
Art throughout the property, like a vibrant mural on 26th Street by artists Rumtum and Rather Severe (pictured, above), gives residents and passersby something to enjoy while also linking the structure with nearby Larimer Street and its plethora of street art. S*Park’s commitment to art extends beyond beautification, though. The property has a partnership with nearby RedLine in which the gallery’s artist-in-residence gets a free room in the building; in exchange, he or she must leave behind a piece of art once the residency ends. (A floral mural in the outdoor garden was contributed by Argentinean artist Ramiro Smith Estrada, the first creative to take part in this collaboration.)
Residents enjoy plenty of amenities beyond the location and the retailers. There’s no pool, but there is a 7,200-square-foot, year-round greenhouse atop Uchi. Alpert says it’s the largest rooftop aeroponic garden in the country. Altius Farms, which operates the space, sells produce to more than 20 restaurants around town, and S*Park’s inhabitants can sign up for a CSA to access the fresh produce (non-residents can also join, if they’re willing to pick up their goodies, or if they’re within biking distance for delivery). The garden extends outside to the street level and can be enjoyed during community dinners or, for those who don’t live at S*Park, during special events at Uchi.
Says Alpert: “It’s a rare opportunity to live in a community in the city.”
Interested in S*Park Sustainability Park? A model home is available to tour daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the sales office at 2550 Lawrence Street, Unit 101.
