Denver has truly grown up over the last 20 years that I’ve lived here. It has and will continue to add some exciting new projects to the landscape- from urban marketplaces, open air music venues, and a space to enjoy some exercise and art. Spanning various locales in Denver to Aurora to Lakewood, here’s a list of possibilities to explore in the coming months.

 

Stanley Marketplace

 

https://stanleymarketplace.com/about/

The Stanley Marketplace originated with a couple of neighbors who wanted to open a small beer hall. Their idea grew into something much larger- a marketplace featuring 50+ independently owned Colorado businesses. This $30 million marketplace incorporates an event center housed in the old Stanley Aviation hangar in Aurora (essentially, south Stapleton) as well as mixed-use space housing establishments such as restaurants and bakeries, a karate studio, exercise studio, taproom, beauty (hair and nails), a flower shop, childhood learning center, Mindcraft studio, office space and professional services such as Family Psychology and dental.

It’s about time the Stapleton area got some retail – check out The Goose and Goat (love their shoes- men, women and children’s) and Rollin’ Smoke BBQ!

Stanley Aviation was a long-time Denver fixture noted for its manufacture of military aircraft ejection seats. The hangar’s sprawling 18,500 square feet­ has been transformed and is a rentable space for hosting large events such as weddings and other events. Various retail establishments at the marketplace will continue to roll out throughout the coming year. In addition, keep an eye out for special seasonal events such as the CherryArts at Stanley in September (The Cherry Arts Festival, just in the Stapleton area).

 

The Levitt Pavilion Denver

 

https://levittdenver.org/location/

 

This exciting new nonprofit amphitheatre project aims to build community through music and is planned for completion in the Ruby Hill Park neighborhood this summer. “We believe in embracing the local, including the musicians, architects, construction company, staff, artists and sponsors. Levitt Pavilion Denver is more than just another music venue—it is a nexus for local non-profits and arts groups across the Rocky Mountain region.” Officials hope to bring 50 free concerts to the venue every year, representing a wide variety of musical genres, including R&B, country, rock, Latin, blues, jazz, children’s and more. With lawn seating, the venue will hold 7,500 people, local food vendors and features a 1,500 square foot stage with state of the art sound and lighting. The venue will be easily accessible near public transportation and bike paths.

The Levitt venues are part of network of venues and concert sites nationwide presenting free concerts. This year, free Levitt concerts will be presented in 21 towns and cities across the U.S., celebrating their own communities and multi-genre talent.

 

Denver Central Market

 

https://denvercentralmarket.com/
Vendors: https://denvercentralmarket.com/vendors/

“The Central Market is located in a beautiful, old building, the HH Tammen Building at 26th and Larimer streets…The neighborhood area is gaining popularity at a rapid pace. “I’ve owned this space for a while and I just thought with how this area is developing that it would be great to have a gourmet market to service the neighborhood,” said Wolf [developer].” – Colorado Real Estate Journal

This new “food hall” in a beautifully renovated building in RiNo offers a wealth of eateries and shopping options. The market opened in September 0f 2016 and features 13 local vendors. In an open concept covering 12,000 square feet, shoppers can buy everything from basic groceries to specialty coffees and cheeses, fresh-baked bread, gourmet chocolates, ice cream, cocktails, and charcuterie. Dine in or take out, you can choose from rotisserie-style meals and veggies, a pizza bar, and much more.

 

Coming soon….

 

The 40 West ArtLine

 

Vision: “Connecting people and places through an interactive walking and biking art experience.”

 

https://www.lakewood.org/40WestARTline/

Funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the 40 West ARTline will be a new 4- mile walking and biking arts experience in the heart of the state-certified 40 West Arts Creative District in northeast Lakewood. It will connect three parks with destinations alongside Denver’s historic West Colfax and the W Light Rail Line. This unique amenity is envisioned to become a special place for the Lakewood community and for others living in and visiting the metro Denver region.

The art elements in Mountair, Aviation and Walker-Branch Parks will be the most significant installations along the ARTline and are intended to be interactive and inspire wonder and exploration. One artist or an artist team will be selected to design and install the art at all three parks to ensure a common theme and connection.

These site-specific, interactive art installations at a few opportunity sites will engage people along the ARTline and make the experience more interesting. A number of artists will be selected to design and install these elements, which could include fence art, functional art, murals, art banners, and more.

These repetitive elements along the ARTline will help people navigate the route. The elements will be created by a diverse artistic team and may include creative signage, street/sidewalk painting, sculpture, storytelling and other elements that will employ the 40 West ARTline brand that is being developed.

 

Not so new…but worth exploring

 

The Source

 

https://thesourcedenver.com/#about

Speaking of urban marketplaces, The Source is located on Brighton Boulevard in River North (Brighton Boulevard is actually a continuation of Broadway). The building was originally a machine hall built in the 1880’s. It’s really a sight to see- 20,000 square feet and 60 foot ceilings with exposed brick. The Source touts itself as a “new generation urban market” which hosts accomplished culinary vendors- from coffee to groceries, bread, specialty meats and cheese, produce, and flowers- things that you can pick up and take home. You can also dine in; there are a variety of eateries, such as Comida or my personal fave, Acorn. You can sip on beer at the Crooked Stave or hand crafted cocktails at The Yacht Club. The Source is a “one stop shop for elevated food from all independent businesses,” meant to draw locals from the neighborhood as well as out of town visitors. You can also host private events at certain establishments there.

So get out there and start experiencing Denver!