Denver, Colorado

"The Mile High City"

The Metro Denver area is situated on the high plains at the base of the Rocky Mountains with and elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. Thus, one of its nicknames, "The Mile High City". Moderate temperatures, low levels of humidity and abundant sunshine provide an ideal climate for year-round activities. In fact, the area has more annual days of sunshine than either San Diego or Miami Beach.

Winter storms are normally short lived, and snow melts rapidly. However, the nearby mountains and ski resorts receive significant annual snowfall, allowing residents to enjoy the best of both worlds—a mild climate for hiking, biking and a variety of outdoor activities, as well as a nearby climate for snow skiing, snow-boarding and other mountain activities.

Metro Denver's climate is best described as "semi-arid," averaging a little less than 16 inches of precipitation annually.

Denver's beginnings can be traced back to the discovery of gold in 1858. Denver was first a tent city set up along the banks of the South Platte river as prospectors followed quickly in the pursuit of this gold. Denver since has had two other economic booms. After gold was silver and then in the late 1970's and early 1980's came the oil boom.

City Beautiful Movement

The professions of landscape architect and city planner were seeking definition in 1893 when the Columbian Exposition in Chicago provided a showcase for their ideas. Mayors and civic leaders were seeking ways to beautify their cities, to correct the errors made from haphazard growth that took place without the benefit of planning or zoning. The Exposition spawned the City Beautiful Movement which emphasized planning, Classical and Revival architecture, and the value of parks and landscape design.

The City Beautiful Movement found its Denver champion in Mayor Robert Speer who supported parks planning and hired Holland-born landscape architect Saco Reink DeBoer. Speer promoted architectural design by featuring pictures of recently built Denver homes in his official city organ, Denver Municipal Facts. These were residences he deemed worthy examples for a great city. More than fifty percent of the residences featured were in the East 7th Avenue Historic District.

Residences favored by Denver's wealthy during the post-Victorian era (1890 to World War I) were mainly in the Neoclassical, Colonial Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles. The City Beautiful Movement highlighted the grandeur of classic Old World and New World styles as an elegant expression of social status. Leaving Victorian fussiness behind, the elite sought symmetry and historical correctness.

Astonishingly, of the hundreds of mansions erected between 1880 and 1920 in the downtown area and in Capitol Hill, relatively few have survived. Some of the great old homes of Denver still stand with all the dignity and substance that were built into them and some have gone forever, their locations shadowed by skyscrapers. Some have passed through successions of private ownership and remain residences of distinction. Others have become headquarters of organizations, clubhouses, business offices or apartments.

A few of the finest homes remain intact in the tradition most befitting their original concept. These are the gracious homes of families who carry forward in descending order the names and works of those who built them and founded a western empire as well.

Highest Priced Listings of Homes For Sale in Denver

102 North Gilpin Street, Denver $2,250,000

Located in the heart of Denver Country Club and on one of its most-coveted streets, this stunning home is owned and has been fully renovated by one of Denver’s top design...

3 Beds
4 Baths
9592593 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of LIV Sotheby's International Realty

1310 South Humboldt Street, Denver image

1310 South Humboldt Street, Denver $2,500,000

Situated against Washington Park, this 5 bed, 5 bath brick-clad residence features custom design + a park location in Denver’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Two-sided ...

5 Beds
5 Baths
9650500 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Milehimodern

950 South Steele Street, Denver $4,900,000

Spectacular home in the heart of Belcaro on almost half-acre. 5 beds/5 baths. Blond brick, weathered copper and deep blue-gray panels connect the building to earth, sky &...

5 Beds
5 Baths
7887243 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of LIV Sotheby's International Realty

890 South Race Street, Denver $2,400,000

All the quality & features you expect from a Chalet-built home & more! High ceilings, great light, custom molding, built-ins, open floor plan, built-in speakers, plantati...

5 Beds
5 Baths
4194789 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Perry & Co. Realtors Cherry Creek Main

1291 South Gaylord Street, Denver $2,350,000

A Work of Art - purposefully designed for main floor indoor/outdoor living, this is not your typical Wash Park home -- MAIN FLOOR includes a master bedroom suite with 5-p...

5 Beds
5 Baths
8086348 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of LIVE URBAN REAL ESTATE

1515 Race Street, Denver — John Milheim House $2,495,000

Beautifully updated office mansion that can also be residential use. High ceilings, lots of natural light, multiple fireplaces, original woodwork throughout, and beautifu...

8 Beds
5 Baths
6625415 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Unique Properties LLC

221 South Eudora Street, Denver $2,495,000 ▼

This Hilltop estate takes cues from the Mediterranean w/ a terra-cotta roof + new stucco facade. The surface-level facelift illustrates one of many updates from the new l...

4 Beds
6 Baths
6473630 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Milehimodern

2130 South Milwaukee Street, Denver image

2130 South Milwaukee Street, Denver $3,300,000

NEW CONSTRUCTION ON THE PARK! MJS Properties presents a beautifully crafted Cape Cod on Observatory Park. This is a rare opportunity to own new construction on Denver gr...

6 Beds
8 Baths
9092807 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of SUBLIME REAL ESTATE & DEV

265 South Elm Street, Denver $2,495,000

Once you enter this custom, fully remodeled, 6 bedroom Hilltop home you won’t want to leave. Wide, white oak plank flooring leads you past the formal dining room through...

6 Beds
6 Baths
7556084 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of LIV Sotheby's International Realty

810 South Milwaukee Street, Denver image

810 South Milwaukee Street, Denver $2,900,000

This Bonnie Brae landmark was built w/ solid brick, rare architectural quality + attention to detail. The 2019 Boys + Girls Club Dream Home boasts a basement w/ family ro...

5 Beds
5 Baths
5881457 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Milehimodern

1181 South Vine Street, Denver $2,500,000

This is your chance to own and customize a stunning Modern Farmhouse built by one of Denver's most sought after builders. Just in time for summer, this home is under cons...

5 Beds
5 Baths
5277988 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Altitude Property Group

3825 West 32nd Avenue, Denver $2,025,000

Nostalgic 3 Story Queen Anne in the heart of Highlands Square steeped in spectacular vintage character. Original wood trim, sweeping staircase, pocket doors, 11’ ceilings...

5 Beds
4 Baths
5225632 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Compass - Denver

1950 South Milwaukee Street, Denver image

1950 South Milwaukee Street, Denver $2,000,000

TRULY A LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST A HOME! This exceptional residence includes 4 beds, 4.5 baths, 2 laundry rooms, and multiple flex and entertaining spaces, and combining both ...

4 Beds
5 Baths
5215383 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of KENTWOOD REAL ESTATE DTC, LLC

20 South Elm Street, Denver $2,860,000

Luxury + function blend in this bright contemporary home situated in Hilltop w/ impeccable curbside appeal. The well-edited style flows from the main level that lives lar...

5 Beds
6 Baths
6112870 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Milehimodern

270 Glencoe Street, Denver $2,100,000

Welcome to stately style in the form of a three-story, brick home on Robinson Park in Hilltop. Front + center is a curved staircase guiding up to 4 roomy bedrooms + 3 bat...

7 Beds
6 Baths
5482406 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Milehimodern

300 Grape Street, Denver $2,125,000 ▼

Stately Hilltop home perfectly situated one block from Robinson Park. Step inside the grand foyer with 20 foot ceilings, winding staircase and enter the gracious floor p...

5 Beds
7 Baths
9233801 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Camber Realty, LTD

190 South Humboldt Street, Denver $2,450,000

This 2-story custom home, built by Chalet, is located on an oversized corner lot in the heart of Wash Park. Features include custom moldings & built-ins, waterworks tile,...

4 Beds
6 Baths
9868628 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of LIV Sotheby's International Realty

1840 East Cedar Avenue, Denver $3,300,000

This entertainer's dream home located in Country Club South is the bespoke luxury home you’ve been waiting for. Completely redesigned and renovated by Barsch Designs and ...

5 Beds
6 Baths
4561336 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Compass - Denver

2519 South Columbine Street, Denver image

2519 South Columbine Street, Denver $2,895,000

This is your opportunity to customize your new home in sought after Observatory Park! Prime location within walking distance of University of Denver, private & public sch...

5 Beds
6 Baths
2849245 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of Optimum Home Team

535 and 545 Columbine Street, Denver image

535 and 545 Columbine Street, Denver $2,700,000 ▼

OUTSTANDING LOCATION* Easy walk to the heartbeat of the Cherry Creek shops & nightlife* A VERY QUIET STREET because Columbine dead ends into Bromwell Elementary School at...

9 Beds
4 Baths
3406624 MLS
List Price Price Type

Courtesy of MB QUINN CORP.

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