The pool looks great in summertime at Blackstone Country Club. That is the major amenity of the affordable, residential community there.

What is the hardest thing a Realtor does? Sometimes it is doing business with relatives. The pressure we put on ourselves is enormous.  While I always want to show the best homes to my clients, I feel a need to be extra careful with family members. So, when I showed homes to my niece recently, I was happy to include the Lennar Homes at Blackstone County Club.

Lennar Homes at Blackstone Country Club, Southeast Aurora’s premier country club community, offers homes for growing families (like my niece’s family) and empty nesters alike.  What’s more, buying a new Lennar home means buying an “Everything’s Included” residence, filled with luxury features and upgrades included in the price at no extra chare.  Also, something new for the New Year has never been more affordable with special below market financing rates available through Lennar’s affiliate lender, Universal American Mortgage Corporation, on finished inventory homes.

Lennar at Blackstone Country Club has recently added one ranch plan and two 2-story plans to its impressive line up, giving buyers more choices with a total of nine plans now available, with floorplans ranging from 2,133 to 3,900 square feet.  Models include a three-car garage and full basement with nine-foot ceilings.  The variety of lot locations is amazing with golf course, cul-de-sac, open space, walkout basement and vista view lots available.

This new Fitness Center is open to Blackstone Country Club members and social members.

For a limited time, Lennar is paying the first year membership dues to Blackstone Country Club, where neighbors become friends and a multitude of social events and activities take place.  Some upcoming events include Canvas and Cocktails, Wines of the Worlds Tasting, Texas Hold’Em, Kids Movie Night and Valentine Crafts, New Member Mixer and Father/Daughter Dance.  Recently added club features are the Spa and Antsy Pants drop-in child care.  Even though Blackstone is a private country club community, it’s very affordable, casual and family friendly.

Lennar currently has two ranch plans and two 2-stories available for quick move-ins for those ready to take advantage of the current low interest rates.

My niece will be back in town later this spring or summer.  She told me in a text message that Lennar’s homes in Blackstone Country Club are number one on her list when she arrives back in Denver.  My niece particularly likes Lennar’s homes backing to the golf course.  Currently, there seems to be a good selection of these prime lots available for her to choose from.  My niece has also mentioned to me that she appreciated the quality and value of the Lennar homes in Blackstone.

I have a feeling my niece’s final decision is going to be a Lennar home in this delightful community.  I am anxious for her to return this spring/summer to discover the community once the grass, trees, flowers and plants have come alive from the cold winter months in Colorado.

East/West Partners developed Riverfront Park into Downtown Denver's version of Central Park.

Roughly 10 years ago the area you now know as Riverfront Park was nothing like it is today.  The beautiful Commons Park was being developed.  Bare open parcels of dirt and unutilized rail yard land occupied the parcels.

That was then.  Today, Riverfront Park is a vibrant community with a front door that opens up to 25 acres of green space.  It’s the site Glass House,

considered by many the most popular Real Estate Development project Denver. It also has Denver lofts, condos and row-homes.

But if you think the past 10 years changed Riverfront Park you ain’t seen nothing yet.  Here are our top reasons why the next 10 years will further elevate this downtown Denver real estate community.

1. LoHi, Riverfront Park’s neighbor across the Platte has boomed in the past 5 years as a gastronomic center with no signs of slowing down.  This neighborhood has all the elements of success for continuing to add to the growing list of dining gems.
2. The new FasTracks transportation hub will be completed just footsteps away across the Millennium Bridge.  Not only will this connect Riverfront Park easily to all the light rail lines throughout Denver the long anticipated DIA line promises easy access for vacation and business excursions.  If transportation access is a plus, Riverfront Park is about to get an all access pass.
3. Downtown Denver residents have long been asking for a walkable large scale grocery store.  The answer is the new planned King Sooper’s store at 20^th and Chestnut just blocks from Riverfront Park via the 18^th or 16^th street bridge access points.
4. While we are on the topic of the Union Station area, the announcement of the new Union Station Alliance project to convert the historic Union Station Train Station to a hotel (along with rumors of a second hotel) offer great reasons to expect a boom of great restaurants, shops, and entertainment to meet the needs of this audience.  LoHi to the one direction and Union Station to the other means Riverfront Park will be surrounded by great walkable dining and entertaining options.
5. Did we mention that Riverfront Park has a master HOA that pools the resources of all residents in this master planned community to provide off duty police security and beautification workers.  Each completed phase in this development adds to those resources to provide for a great environment.
6. Commons Park is a public park.  If you could go back in time and acquire real estate along the border of New York’s Central Park would you?   We always like to remember how wonderful it is to live in an urban environment on green space.  Commons Park is also the connection for Denver’s extensive bike and running trails.

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You have to be Italian to even know what Mama's home cooking was like. But, I found it right near Reunion.

Reunion has a hidden secret that I have discovered and can recommend wholeheartedly.

OK, I am an Italian. So, when I was young our Sunday tradition was to always have a gourmet Italian meal hand prepared by my mother.  Now this wasn’t just a meal where she threw some pasta in a bowl and covered it with a store bought meat sauce. No, she went all out.  I remember her sauce taking 2-3 hours to simmer and her hand made meatballs, she would roll each and every one of them into perfectly shaped round balls a bit larger than a golf ball.

She would even flavor her sauce with the fresh basil that she had growing on the window sill. The part that I remember the most was that this wasn’t just a meal, it was more of an event.  Don’t think that you would sit down, gobble down some pasta and be off ten minutes later.  Nope, this meal took time to eat and you would enjoy every serving from the pasta, to the various types of meat, salad, garlic bread right through to the dessert.  This was perfection and a time that solidified the bond in our family. That was a long time ago; I am older now, married and live in another state, but how I remember those meals.

However, all is not lost. I have found one of the finest Italian Restaurants in Colorado and best of all it is just south of the community of Reunion off of Tower Road.   It is called DiCicco’s and is located at 6701 Tower Rd, just south of Pena Blvd on the way to DIA.   There I can enjoy all my favorite Italian dishes, from Spaghetti to Manicotti to Lasagna, and they even have hand rolled meatballs that are absolutely delicious and bread rolls that are baked fresh on the premises each and every day.  Walking into this establishment reminds me so much of those wonderful Sunday meal memories.

Vittorio DiCicco is the proprietor of this fine establishment.  His father began the concept back in 1956 in California and Vittorio brought it to Colorado.  It is an amazing site to see.  The inside seats over 400 people and is contoured in an oval to resemble the Coliseum in Rome, with 3 different levels over looking a center stage.

Vittorio spared no expense when he built this restaurant as you will notice once you enter the building.  The floors are covered in imported Italian marble and the walls ceilings are all hand painted murals.  The bar area depicts Gondola’s floating down the rivers of Venice. The ambience is amazing, with no exterior windows in the building you get a feeling that you are truly in an Italian café.  This is nothing short of spectacular.

With all the new development up in Reunion, it is nice to know that we don’t have to travel to downtown Denver to experience a little bit of Italy.  So whenever I need my fix of Italy and some fine Italian cuisine, it’s off to DiCicco’s I go.  If you have a chance to visit, ask for Vittorio and tell him I sent you.  And, as they say in Italy “Buon Appetito”.

Renovation on Broadway near downtown Denver includes a former Woolworths like this.

Did you know Denver once had a neighborhood known for the miracle mile of shopping?

SoBo, the acronym for South Broadway, is the section between Sixth and Alameda avenues on Broadway and home to many retail boutique shops and restaurants.  Once it was considered the major shopping venue in Denver and recent developments indicate it may take that role once again.

Three retailers have invested a reported 2.7 million dollars in the old Woolworths building renovation of this 99 year old building.  What the Denver Post calls a “renaissance” for retail is an energy boost for the retail, residential and office real estate surrounding it.

It is exciting to watch the strong redevelopment that has been happening throughout Denver’s many distinct neighborhoods.  Humorously enough… a sure sign that an area is going through growth seems to be the creation or common use of an identifying acronym.

Years ago the discussion focused on LoDo (Lower Downtown), with it’s downtown redevelopment and transformation of historic warehouse and office buildings through loft conversion and businesses such as the Wynkoop Brewery.

The last few years have been the boom of LoHi (Lower Highlands) with the massive influx of some of Denver’s best restaurants.  The LoHi list includes Linger, Vita, Lola, LoHi Steak Bar, Ale House at Amatos, Denver Beer Co. and most recently Williams and Graham.  Real estate followed with a boom in new downtown Denver townhomes, modern homes, and renovation of historic Denver Square homes. Broadway south of I-25 has already done major street renovations to attact new businesses too.

The RiNo District (River North) put it’s energy into the growth of a neighborhood Art Scene and gallery development.  This paired nicely with the growth of work/live artists spaces and lofts fueled by modern architectural design and finishes.

SoBo has recently become the buzzing word around Denver.  Restaurants in the area have been gaining in popularity and many such as Beatrice and Woodsley are among the favorites for menu and eclectic character.

A revival of Denver’s Miracle Mile could be an indication of a renaissance for the real estate market as well as new home shoppers find extremely attractive condo and home prices footsteps from the Broadway streetscape filled with an offering of shops, galleries, bars, restaurants and theaters.

Contact us today to learn about new developments in SoBo or any of the great acronym named neighborhoods in Denver.

Residents of Pradera, the golf course community in rural Douglas County, banded together for a cause.

Can you imagine a Drug Rehab Center in rural Douglas County tucked in between lovely suburban neighborhoods, ranches and horse properties? Well, I am happy to say that Pradera residents were instrumental in winning a major battle  in front of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  At issue was an application to convert a home and the 40 acres it sits on into a drug rehabilitation center.

Douglas County is the fastest growing Denver suburb but still mostly rural.

The property is immediately adjacent to Pradera homes with the proposed rehabilitation house itself situated less than 150 yards from the nearest Pradera residence.  Needless to say, numerous residents within our community fought the application every step of the process which initially began in late spring.

The applicant is being foreclosed and the drug rehabilitation center was an attempt to do a short sale with the lender.  This effort was also to save an adjoining 35-acre tract from being included in the foreclosure.  The application process started with the seven members on the Planning Board.

After several hearings before the Board and strenuous protests on shortcomings of the application, the Board surprisingly recommended approval and passed the application on to the BOCC.  The 250+ Pradera residents at each hearing were shocked by the approval but more resolved than ever to defeat this threat to our neighborhood.

With two months to prepare for the BOCC hearings and a better understanding of how the “system” works at the county level, various residents pitched in to delve deeply into critical issues where the application was vulnerable.  The internet was invaluable and provided objectionable issues not even addressed by any of the parties during the Planning Board’s hearings.  Each of the BOCC’s hearings was held with concerned Pradera residents packing the room.  The tension was great when the final vote came as the stakes were high and Pradera’s lifestyle in jeopardy.  Applause broke out when all three commissioners finally voted against the application, and it was officially denied

Pradera is a fantastic community and this experience has brought many of us closer together.  We banded together as near strangers to protect our families, homes, neighborhood and lifestyle.  Now we are stronger, more organized and resolved to protect this truly unique area we proudly call home — Pradera.

By Chris Gibson, Ruby Hill Resident

(Ed: Chris lives in and loves Ruby Hill. He calls it “The Other Washington Park” because it has some of the same amenities and is much more affordable!)

We chose to buy a home in the Ruby Hill Neighborhood in May 2009.  We didn’t know the name of the neighborhood when we moved in, but my wife works downtown and refused to drive more than half an hour, so we found one of the closest homes to downtown under $175K.  She had commuted on Santa Fe previously, so we knew a neighborhood on that route would be convenient. Of course, there were closer homes, but we wanted a brick house with 2 bathrooms that was already updated and close to parks for walking the dog.

The neighborhood, mostly built in the early 50’s, was drastically different than the southeast Aurora suburbs I grew up in and the Parker covenant controlled communities my friends and family were moving to.  We got a lot of comments like “you better lock your doors”. However, trading HOA rules and fees, an expensive mortgage, and long commutes for a smaller and an older home in an economically diverse neighborhood seemed like a positive move.  Plus, with nearby neighborhoods like Wash Park and the Highlands in full fledged gentrification, I secretly hoped we had found the next hot spot in Denver.

Since moving in we never once regretted our choice.  People have proven to be very friendly and we’ve always felt safe.  Kids play games and ride bikes on our block.  People walk their dogs, bike to work, push their strollers, and jog down the trail. You don’t always stop to get their names, but you feel as though you know all of them.

Additionally, as the economic downturn has lingered I’ve come to believe that our neighborhood will be a prime destination for people looking for a simpler life: people who buy a home that is LESS than what they could afford, people who value spending more time with family and less time in the car, people seeking out ways to have one parent home with their kids, people who want culture and flavor in their neighbors, streets, and restaurants.

I write this in the hope that people with a background similar to mine will hear that there is a choice that is different than long commutes, HOA rules and bills, and buying the biggest and newest house they can afford. We can start valuing our life by the time we have with our families and communities rather than over-extending ourselves trying to keep up with the Joneses.

About the Ruby Hill Neighborhood:

Web Site: www.rubyhilldenver.com

Nearby Parks: Ruby Hill, Overland Pond, Platte River Trail, Huston Lake, Godsman

Technical Boundaries: S Platte River Dr (east), S Federal Blvd (west), W Mississippi Ave (north), & W Jewell Ave (south)

About me: Chris Gibson

e-mail: chris.gibson@rubyhilldenver.com

You see,  I had delivered two stuffed “Dennis Bears” to Sean 5 and his sister Erin 2 years old. They are children of my clients and the bears, well, are my special Christmas presents.

After delivering the “Dennis Bears” to Sean and Erin, Sean wrote the following thank-you note.

Good hearted Children wished us Merry Christmas in this note. Obviously, they didn't need any help at all!

Having sold Real Estate over 37 years and my daughter Dawn for over 18 years, we have sold condo’s and homes from $50,000 to $2 million. We are very thankful and grateful for our many clients and friends we have made over the years. Most of our business comes from referrals from past customers and friend. We appreciate each and everyone of them.

Given all the negative publicity and hardships that is happening in the world, sometimes a thought or Thank You from a 5 year old child makes all the difference in the world.

So to all our clients and friends “tacs” for your business and friendships and have a “Mree Critmis” from Sean, Erin, Dawn and “Denes”!

Strolling though Cherry Creek, you will discover unique art galleries tucked-in between boutiques.

One of the many perks of living in Cherry Creek North is the ability to take advantage of the amazing art galleries. Did you know that Cherry Creek North has at least a dozen unique art galleries in its 3-mile radius? Have you ever walked down 2^nd Avenue and peeked in the window to see gorgeous glass fixtures?? If so, you have walked by PISMO!!

Pismo is a contemporary fine art glass gallery that features extensive collections by world renowned artists, as well as emerging artists. There are three locations in our state, Denver, Vail and Aspen. We are lucky enough to have access to this gorgeous art work right here in town, without sitting in traffic on I70 to get there! And if that weren’t enough, PISMO is featuring a new solo exhibition, “Chihuly White Works”, which opened Friday, October 28 and will continue through January 15, 2012. Below are just a few selections that will be on display for this special viewing.

The artist who created these incredible pieces, Dale Chihuly, has been known for his “devotion to color and expanding the expectations of the glass medium throughout his 40 year career. After his exploration in the Black series in 2006 and Silvered series in 2009, Dale has returned with renewed enthusiasm. Chihuly White Works marks a new direction, emphasizing surface and depth instead of intense color.

Dale’s concentration on white emphasizes the sculptural quality of the form. Variations of alabaster, ivory, transparent and opaque whites combine with lyrical sensitivity on the surfaces of the artworks floating effortlessly against the backdrop of enamel.”  Simply put, Dale is an incredible artist and we are lucky to have his work in Denver for this exclusive viewing!

Cherry Creek Townhomes make walking to art galleries, restruants and shopping easy.

Cherry Creek North residents who live in its Cherry Creek homes and townhomes, can walk to Prismo and other galleries, restaurants and boutique shopping as well as the Cherry Creek Mall.

If you haven’t been by the gallery yet, you should definitely stop in during your holiday shopping trips in Cherry Creek North! So, grab a latte down the street at Starbucks and pop on in for a special treat….you’ll be glad you did!!

PISMO Fine Art Glass is located at 2770 East Second Avenue, Denver, CO 80206. For more information and store hours, please contact gallery directly at 303-333-2879.

Relocation home buyers can be surprised by unexpected "inclusions' like this small rattlesnake found in Highlands Ranch.

Colorado home buyers relocating from another state need to understand that sometimes Colorado Pets are not included in the Contract to Buy and Real Estate.

I recently sold a family from New York (yes they are N.Y. Giants fans) a home in Highlands Ranch. In the contract we did not include a critter discovered after closing.  While moving boxes from the garage to the house, these nice Relocation Buyers found a rattle snake. Yes, a live rattle snake. We did not include the rattle snake in the inclusions when we wrote the contract.  They called the Douglas County Sheriff Department which services Highlands Ranch, Colorado and they came out and removed the snake. No one was hurt but they were shaken up.

Relocating to the Denver suburbs includes sometimes seeing wildlife in your own back yard.

Then Dawn my daughter sold her brother and his wife a home in Castle Pines North. Yes, once again she did not include a deer in the inclusions.  Again, when they were moving in, there was a deer resting and observing the surroundings in the yard.

Ok, these aren’t “fixtures” in the sense defined in the Contract. After all critters can usually come and go as they please. Think of them as just part of charm on living in the “wild west”. They included for free but there is no guarantee they will stick around even long enough to get a picture taken.

Over the years, our clients have occasionally discovered deer, fox, coyotes and, occasionally, snakes. In Evergreen, even Elk can walk around freely between homes. Very rarely, a lost mountain lion is found in a residential area like this one in Highlands Ranch.

Sometimes you have extra inclusions when you move into your home. Colorado is known for its wildlife but prefer to see them in the open areas. No one was harmed in this incident and people rarely are. Everyone is happy and enjoying their new homes.

"Car Optional" is a choice in Downtown Denver lofts and condos.

All Metro Denver has now been ranked by Wall St. 24/7 as the 7th best city in American where a car is truly optional. Frequency of public transportation, average commute times to work and the expanding light rail system were cited as contributing factors. But, downtown Denver dwellers in lofts and condos have long enjoyed life with “car optional” for some time now.

Location, location and location is the mantra of the real estate business. But perhaps no where does this saying ring more true than in the urban city market.  Downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft residents have long sung the praises of their car optional lifestyle.  And they do so with good reason.

Downtown Denver has drastically changed over the past two decades.  The creation of neighborhoods like Riverfront Park and the emerging growth of the LoHi cultivated a pedestrian friendly framework supporting new restaurants, shops, and amenities.

The city of Denver did it’s part as well with some of the best and brightest urban planners and transportation architects weaving together a system of bike/pedestrian friendly bridges, bike lanes, and of course the new light rail system with the new Union Station. The result is Transportation Oriented Communities downtown and along the major public transportation lines throughout the metro Denver area.

For residents in these Downtown Denver condo and Downtown Denver loft neighborhoods this means a great opportunity to live car free.   Which in this period of inflated and rising gasoline prices can mean huge economic savings.  It can also mean the difference between a short walk or light rail ride versus a time draining traffic congested commute.

Looking at the changes in business and real estate development projects gives us another perspective on the increased value placed on car optional living.  The past two years have seen the explosion of many bike and car sharing programs.  B-Cycle took the city by storm as many took to the streets on two wheels instead of four.

Spire Condos offer condo residents short term cars for rent.

Meanwhile new real estate projects such as SPIRE in the heart of the theater district offered one of the Denver’s first car optional real estate projects.  Since car optional is still a relatively new choice in Denver, SPIRE also partnered up with Connect By Hertz for an in-building car sharing service.

How Does Denver rank in compared with the rest of the country?  According to Wall Street 24/7 Denver is one of the leaders.  Here is their top 10 Car Optional cities:

1. San Francisco – Oakland – Fremont CA
2. Portland – Vancouver – Beaverton, OR-WA
3. New York – Northern New Jersey – Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
4. Honolulu, HI
5. Seattle – Tacoma – Bellevue, WA
6. San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara, CA
7. 7. Denver – Aurora, CO
8. Salt Lake City, UT
9. Los Angeles – Long Beach – Santa Ana, CA
10. 10.  Boston – Cambridge – Quincy, MA-NH

This could be one more reason why Denver attracts so many companies and people for Denver relocation.

Contact me to learn more about the incredible Downtown Denver lifestyle or any of the great real estate opportunities in our great city.

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