Former Mayor Ben Stapleton's Ku Klux Klan marches through downtown Denver. It's ironic that Ben's namesake is today a thriving, diverse community and Denver has it's second African American Mayor?
I have always loved Stapleton. Now, of course, it is a residential Denver neighborhood that goes by the name Stapleton Northfield. At least that’s what the new exit sign off I-70 says. By the way, that exit road doesn’t connect the subdivision yet (take Colorado Blvd instead). But, this newest residential and mixed-use subdivision used to be the Denver airport that I frequented when I first began my real estate career back the 1980’s.In February of 1995, the last commercial flight departed Stapleton International Airport, which served as Colorado’s primary airport from 1929 – 1995. The airport was re-named in 1944 from Denver Municipal Airport to Stapleton airport after Benjamin Stapleton who was mayor most of the time from 1923 to 1944. He was a colorful character who was found to be a pertinent member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Still, the old airport was close into town and a very convenient location. Parking in the covered structure was close to the terminal and relatively inexpensive. Perfect for my travel needs – I loved it.
Eventually a new airport was needed because there was inadequate separation between that runways. Althought it seems like a small issue, that caused long delays in bad weather. Furthermore, there simply was no room for expansion to add other airlines or to extend runways. And aircraft noise was too loud for the nearby residents.
Stapleton International Airport was replaced by Denver International Airport about 12 miles northeast of the old airport. And, the memories of our “small town” airport faded into a vibrant new neighborhood. The residents of nearby Park Hill rejoiced that finally the drone of airplanes taking off and landing would no longer bother them.
Stapleton is only about three miles due east of Downtown Denver. After the airport closed, planners began to implement a master plan for the site and construction of Stapleton’s first streets and homes – construction began in 2001. The plan emphasized a pedestrian-biking design and approximately a third of the airport site has been slated for redevelopment as public park space.
New homes and resale homes are available in the Stapleton Northfield neighborhood in northeast Denver.
Over the past decade, the redevelopment of Stapleton real estate has moved rapidly ahead and has become a highly desirable neighborhood. Stapleton is currently zoned for residential and commercial development, including office parks and “big box” shopping centers. It is more than just a neighborhood with homes and businesses. There is plenty of recreation and things to do at Stapleton.
It is the largest neighborhood in the City of Denver. When completed, Stapleton is expected to be home to approximately 30,000 residents in 12,000 homes, as well as six schools, an 80 acre Central Park, a light-rail station, planned office space, retail space, parks and open space. This former airport has become one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the Denver Metro area.
Contact me to find out about all the exciting happenings in the Stapleton neighborhood and about the new homes or resale housing opportunities.
Leave a Reply