Denver’s real estate market may be showing some signs of cooling, but prices are still on the rise. The average sold price of a single-family home was $508,016 in December 2018, up 4.5 percent from December 2017, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ DMAR Market Trends January report. And though active inventory was up overall (44.71 percent year over year), detached single-family homes in the “signature” market—priced between $750,000 and $999,999—had just 2.8 months of inventory (a balanced market has closer to six months of inventory), which means sellers still have the upper hand in this in-demand segment of the market.

So, what can you get for just under a million in one of Denver’s coveted central-city neighborhoods? These four for-sale properties demonstrate what you can expect if you’ve got around $800,000 to spend.

2222 Irving backyard Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
A beautifully landscaped backyard includes a garden and fire pit. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving stair landing Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
Original millwork and dramatically angled ceilings add to the home’s charm. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving bath photo courtesy of live urban real estate
A 2017 update gave this five-piece bathroom fresh tile, fixtures, and a clawfoot tub. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 irving master bed photo courtesy of live urban real estate
Wood floors add warmth to the master bedroom. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving kitchen Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
The updated kitchen has a new Viking range, Big Chill refrigerator, white quartz countertops, and built-in cabinet dishwasher. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving kitchen nook Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
A sunny breakfast nook is adjacent to the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving living Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
The living room shows off several period details, including a fireplace and beautiful, arched stained-glass window. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
2222 Irving front exterior Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate
Built in 1886, this Sloan’s Lake home has all the coveted Queen Anne Victorian architectural details, including a two-story front porch. Photo courtesy of Live Urban Real Estate

2222 Irving Street
Listing price: $795,000
Neighborhood: Sloan’s Lake
Size: 2,361 square feet
What we love: Pinterest-worthy design details make this home a unique find. Beautifully preserved Victorian architectural elements (a two-story covered front porch, patterned wood shingles, stained glass, extensive millwork) pair perfectly with updated design details, like a renovated kitchen with Viking range, Big Chill refrigerator, and quartz countertops; hand-painted concrete tile floors in the foyer; and a master bathroom with clawfoot tub, white-beadboard-clad walls, and a striking black-and-white tile floor. Modern upgrades abound in this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath house—new Anderson windows, plus a new roof, on-demand tankless water heater, and furnace—but all the charm that was built in back in 1886 remains.
Listing agent: Brian Conley, Live Urban Real Estate, liveurbandenver.com

At 1125 W. 37th Avenue in the Highland neighborhood, $804,900 buys you 1,679 square feet of modern living in a four-unit townhome development. Photo courtesy of Slate Real Estate Advisors
Each of Atria’s four townhouses features walls of glass that maximize natural daylight and a connection to the outdoors. Photo courtesy of Slate Real Estate Advisors
Atria’s modern residences were designed by Meridian 105 Architecture. An open-plan cooking, living, and dining area opens onto a private balcony. Photo courtesy of Slate Real Estate Advisors

1125 W. 37th Avenue, Unit 1
Listing price: $804,900
Neighborhood: Highland
Size: 1,679 square feet
What we love: One of four Atria residences designed by Meridian 105 Architecture, this cool take on the townhouse has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and an oversized private patio with views of downtown. The exterior blends wood, steel, and glass for a distinctive look, while inside, the modern finishes include white oak hardwood flooring, white marble countertops, and sleek wood panels that conceal a dishwasher and Fisher & Paykel refrigerator. Other smart touches: Velux remote-controlled skylights; a Haiku smart-technology ceiling fan; a split-level, high-efficiency HVAC system; and a dumbwaiter (to schlep groceries up to the third-floor kitchen).
Listing agent: Jorgen Jensen, Slate Real Estate Advisors, slaterea.com

In family-friendly South Park Hill, a recently reduced price of $765,000 buys a classic Denver Square with original details and modern updates. Photo courtesy of Redfin Corporation
The simple, efficient floorplan includes spacious dining and living areas. Photo courtesy of Redfin Corporation
An updated kitchen includes stainless-steel appliances, granite countertops, new light fixtures, and access to an adjacent mudroom/laundry space. Photo courtesy of Redfin Corporation
An inviting nursery offers ample space for play. Photo courtesy of Redfin Corporation
A large master bedroom—one of three upstairs bedrooms—has a full ensuite bath. Photo courtesy of Redfin Corporation

4135 E. 16th Avenue
Listing price: $765,000 (the price was lowered by $25,000 just as we went to press)
Neighborhood: South Park Hill
Size: 2,454 square feet
What we love: This classic 1912 Denver Square (the local term for a Foursquare home) maintains many of its original architectural details—efficient floorplan; wood built-ins, mouldings, and window trim; hardwood floors—but also offers all the perks you’d expect from this price point. There’s an updated kitchen and bathrooms, spacious master suite, laundry/mudroom, finished basement, and (gasp!) a three-car garage.
Listing agents: Justin Hess and James Barnett, Redfin Corporation, redfin.com

Created by international architects Stantec and Muñoz + Albin, Lakehouse residences feature Sloan Lake, mountain, and city skyline views. Image courtesy of Lakehouse
Wellness-focused amenities include a low-chlorine pool and hot tub. Image courtesy of Lakehouse
A model residence shows the modern finishes this unit will feature upon its completion in fall 2019. Image courtesy of Lakehouse
A light-filled resident lounge offers an inviting space to gather. Image courtesy of Lakehouse

4200 W. 17th Avenue, Unit 341
Listing price: $795,000
Neighborhood: Sloan’s Lake
Size: 1,123 square feet
What we love: With a hot location at the new Lakehouse project on Sloan’s Lake, which comprises 196 modern condos and rowhomes, this third-floor, west-facing unit has two bedrooms, one full bath and one three-quarter bath, plus a private, 36-by-5-foot covered balcony. Sleek finishes include wood flooring, quartz countertops, Italkraft cabinetry, and stainless-steel appliances. The building, which is the first in Colorado to pursue a new wellness certification, offers a unique assortment of health-focused amenities, including a sophisticated air-filtration system, yoga studio and fitness lab, sauna, juicing station, organic garden, and even a bike spa.
Listing agents: Dee Chirafisi, Kevin Garrett and Matt McNeill, Kentwood City Properties, kentwoodcity.com