First came Theo, and now Milo’s here, too. No, they’re not the new kids in class; they’re the latest apartment buildings joining Denver’s blossoming 9th and Colorado (9+CO) neighborhood. The 26-acre urban infill project at 9th and Colorado occupies the former site of the University of Colorado’s Health Sciences Cener, and will eventually total 2 million square feet of mixed-use development by Continuum Partners and CIM Group.

Milo’s quirky name is a tribute to Milo Smith—an early Denver streetcar advocate and property developer who platted Denver’s Capitol Hill. Comprising two buildings, Milo—a partner project for the 275-unit Theo, which opened in 2018—offers 319 residential units, including a 370-square-foot micro option equipped with a Murphy bed, plus studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom (1,590-square-foot) apartments.

Designed by Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects (SA+R), Milo’s residences are cleverly crafted for maximum efficiency and versatility. The micro-units required especially strategic thinking. “We enjoyed the challenge of how to make a small space, full of built-in cabinetry and furniture, feel spacious,” explains Ali Joiner, architect and associate at SA+R. “Large windows bring in a lot of natural light, so the outdoors feel like an extension of one’s interior space; and built-in furniture, like a bed, wardrobe, and desk, makes the unit move-in ready with minimal additional furniture needs.”

The open-plan living/dining space in a three-bedroom, 1,590-square-foot apartment. Photo by David Lauer / courtesy of Milo Apartments
A three-bedroom unit’s kitchen, which features Caesarstone quartz countertops, Kohler plumbing fixtures, and stainless-steel appliances. Photo by David Lauer / courtesy of Milo Apartments

Milo’s style is sleek contemporary, and the residential units have a sophisticated minimalism. “We used monochromatic color on all cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes,” Joiner says. “Subtle texture keeps our unit palette simple and refined, which helps it feel open and ‘clean.’” Caesarstone quartz counter surfaces, Kohler plumbing fixtures, and stainless-steel appliances add fresh accents.

Meanwhile, Milo’s public spaces are both functional and fun, with jolts of bold color. The navy-blue lobby lounge is designed for gatherings, with abundant seating, a fireplace, and a pool table. Windows overlook the courtyard, where there’s a hot tub and heated, year-round, multi-lane lap pool. The third-floor lounge is fit for entertaining, with a spacious kitchen, TV, and shuffleboard table. The party can meander outside to a roof deck equipped with firepits and barbecue grills. (The roof deck also handily connects with the pool courtyard below, via a concrete “super-stair.”) Other Milo amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with yoga studio, a secured auto and bike parking garage, on-site bicycle and ski repair, pet and bike washing facility, and refrigerated lockers for meal and grocery delivery.

Built-in design details, including this light-filled master bedroom’s integrated shelves, eliminate the need for multiple furniture pieces and emphasize the architecture’s streamlined, minimalist vibe. Photo by David Lauer / courtesy of Milo Apartments

Aside from all those perks, Milo also offers a down-to-business co-working space. “Large windows and tall ceilings create a bright and inviting space for productivity,” explains SA+R associate architect Mo Gillie. “Dark wood masses act as ‘rooms inside a room,’ breaking a large glass pavilion into smaller, intimate working areas for residents; phone booths, a conference room, soft seating, and reading niches provide ultimate work flexibility.”

Milo’s neighborhood is the growing 9th and Colorado development, which will include a variety of dining and retail tenants, plus a 10-screen AMC Theatre. Image courtesy of Milo
Milo’s co-working space offers comfortable working areas for residents, including phone booths, reading niches, and a conference room. Image courtesy of Milo
An inviting lobby lounge encourages gatherings with generous seating, a fireplace, and a pool table. Photo by David Lauer / courtesy of Milo Apartments
Residents can entertain in the third-floor lounge, which includes a spacious kitchen, TV, and shuffleboard table, plus an adjacent roof deck equipped with firepits and barbecue grills. Photo by David Lauer / courtesy of Milo Apartments

It’s an easy stroll to visit 9+CO’s Hale Park and any of a growing roster of other community tenants, including the 10-screen AMC Theatre, Postino WineCafe, Elevation Cycles, Fluff Salon, Clean Juice, Frank & Roze Coffee, and Pizzeria Locale. Milo’s monthly rents start at $1,216 for micro apartments; $1,307 for studios; $1,600 for one-bedrooms; $2,198 for two-bedrooms; and $3,285 for three-bedrooms.

“We are catering to all walks of life at Milo: the empty nester, the frequent traveler, the remote working professional, and the renter who is just appreciative to live in a luxury community that is close to everything in the city,” says Heidi Duensing, senior community manager for Milo and Theo. “Overall, Milo showcases sizes and styles for everyone who has a desire for a community that is elegant and solid and just footsteps from dining and shopping.”