Photos: Ten apartment projects currently under construction in Denver

Our recent cover story, "Design Flaw," contains some startlingly lopsided statistics: As of July, there were a whopping 7,148 apartments planned or under construction in Denver, according to the Downtown Denver Partnership, while the number of condos being built was a meager 145 units.

There are several theories as to why -- but whatever the cause, the effect is that condo-buyers may be out of luck while apartment-dwellers will have their pick. Continue to see photos of projects under construction.

Below, find photos and information on a sampling of the apartment buildings currently being built in Denver. Curious about a construction project in your neighborhood? Leave the location in the comments section below and we'll try to figure out what it is.

The Douglas, 2300 Walnut Street 310 apartment units From developer Mill Creek Residential's website:

The Douglas, formally known as 2300 Walnut, is the newest addition to Denver's historic Ballpark Neighborhood, providing a living experience that is distinctly urban and distinctly social. With an emphasis on access, residents are within walking distance to Coors Field, Lower Downtown Denver (LoDo), Snooze Café (a weekend tradition - trust us and get the pancakes!) and all the best Larimer Street restaurants and boutiques. What's more, the community is just minutes to the Pepsi Center and I-25 and I-36, providing easy access to all points beyond downtown.

Styled after a resort courtyard that emulates boutique hotels, the pool, year-round spa and outdoor fireplaces offer residents the chance to gather and relax. Entertaining is made easy with an outdoor gourmet kitchen, and large spacious resident lounge.

Each designer apartment home includes slab granite countertops, washer and dryer and Energy Star appliances. No detail has been overlooked, from the custom wood cabinetry and the upgraded lighting packages to the wooden plank style flooring. Many of the homes have walk-in closets and balconies. Residents will also enjoy perks such as included parking and rentable storage and bike rooms, bike maintenance area and dog wash.

The Douglas is on track for first move-ins this summer with leasing expected to begin in late May 2013. Visit TheDouglasDenver.com for more information.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. One City Block, East 19th Avenue and Logan Street 302 apartment units From developer RedPeak Properties' website:

RedPeak Properties is excited to announce our newest development in Uptown Denver. We will have studios, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes ready for move-in late fall, with pre-leasing beginning in August 2013! One City Block is located between 18th & 19th Avenue and Logan & Pennsylvania Street.

With sustainability as a priority, we are also seeking LEED Silver Certification for this project.... The urban design was heavily influenced by early Denver Architect Frank Edbrooke, referred to as the "Dean of Denver Architecture." His work includes several iconic buildings like: The Brown Palace Hotel, Oxford Hotel, Tabor Grand Opera House and Loretto Heights Academy.

In addition, each of the four buildings will be named after a Denver city park: Congress, Washington, Benedict and Commons.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. Broadstone on Blake, Blake and 22nd streets 164 apartment units From a press release dated May 2012:

Alliance Residential Company is pleased to announce the purchase of a 0.79-acre multifamily development site located in the heart of the ballpark neighborhood bordering the Lodo District in downtown Denver. Alliance will begin construction on Broadstone Blake Street, a 164-unit, six-story luxury apartment community, on May 3 following a ground-breaking ceremony at the project site.... The clubhouse and first units are expected to be delivered in the 2nd quarter of 2013, and completion is slated for 2014. Situated adjacent to Coors Field -- home of the Colorado Rockies -- and amid a unique and vibrant mix of employment, transportation, higher education, arts, culture, recreation and entertainment, Broadstone Blake Street will appeal to the growing population of young professionals and individuals who appreciate the conveniences and amenities of living in downtown Denver. As a result, the majority of floor plans will be studios and one-bedroom units, with a smaller percentage of two-bedroom homes.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. Delgany Apartments, 1490 Delgany Street 284 apartment units From developer The Opus Group's website:

The 284-unit, 10-story luxury high-rise apartment rental community is located on the edge of Lower Downtown Denver. Delgany Apartments will have immediate access to both the multi-use Cherry Creek Trail and Denver's Union Station, serving as the primary node for all of Denver's new rapid transit systems.

With downtown's rental vacancy rates dipping below 3 percent, the demand is expected to be high. The first floor of the building, approximately 4,000 square feet of retail space, will be partially occupied by a gallery from the neighboring Denver Museum of Contemporary Art.

Designed to achieve LEED certification, building amenities include underground parking, an elevated pool deck, a bicycle storage and maintenance facility, fitness center, catering kitchen and a city view lounge with exterior deck.

Additionally, unit interiors will be high quality with wood floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances throughout.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. Skyline View Apartments, 2828 Zuni Street 105 apartment units From construction blog (and Best of Denver winner) denverinfill.com:

The project covers almost the full block face along the east side of Zuni between W. 28th and W. 29th Avenue, stopping just short of the W. 29th Avenue intersection.

The project is being developed by Canwest, LLC and the architect is the Mulhern Group. Skyline View Apartment features 105 apartment units over a 129 space parking garage.

Skyline View Apartments will likely be completed by late 2013.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. LoHi City View, 17th and Boulder streets 114 apartment units From owner's representative DAE's website:

The project is an urban for-rent apartment development in the lower Highlands area of Denver. The project consists of 100 rental units with amenity and exercise areas. The building will be constructed as wood framed structure over cast in place parking garage. The expected start date is 3rd quarter 2013.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. 2785 Speer, 2785 Speer Boulevard 332 apartment units From a press release dated March 2012:

Allied Realty Services Ltd. and Amstar have announced plans to build a 332-unit apartment community on 4.5 acres near Interstate 25 and Speer Boulevard in Denver's Jefferson Park Neighborhood.

The development -- officially known as 2785 Speer -- will be LEED certified and feature four stories, including 10,801 square feet of ground floor retail space. With stunning views of the Denver skyline, the community will offer underground parking and a number of upscale community amenities including a two-story fitness center overlooking Downtown Denver's skyline.

"2785 Speer will no doubt be a premier rental community in Denver, offering residents luxury living and easy access to downtown, sports venues and all of the metro area, thanks to the project's close proximity to I-25," said Allied Principal Lauren Brockman. "We expect strong demand when we open the doors."

The apartments will feature patios/balconies, full-size washers and dryers, walk-in closets and granite countertops. The units will range in size from 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bath options to two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with just over 1,300 square feet. Monthly rents will start at $1,300.

"We think that our price point is very competitive, given the project's modern amenities and location," added Brockman.

Brockman expects the development, designed by Houston-based architects Meeks & Partners, to be complete by late 2014.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. Cadence, 1920 17th Street 219 apartment units From a press release dated May 2013:

Zocalo Community Development, a leader in sustainable multi-family development, "topped off" Cadence Union Station May 6th bringing the 219-unit apartment project significantly closer to completion. Located at 17th and Chestnut streets, Cadence will be the first multifamily project to open adjacent to the Union Station renovation project.

Pre-leasing for the LEED Gold-registered building should begin in August and Zocalo expects to welcome its first residents in December. Those residents will have easy access to all of downtown, the metro-area and Denver International Airport via the multimodal transportation hub located just steps from the community's front door. The redeveloped Union Station, which will include a 22-bay underground bus terminal and eight-track commuter rail station, is scheduled to open in July 2014.

Cadence will feature a rooftop pool and lounge area, rooftop health center, an indoor parking garage and a variety of community gathering areas, including a lobby-level lounge complete with a piano and bar. The project will include studios as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Units will average just over 800 square feet and will rent for an average of $1,700 per month.

Residents will also enjoy a number of green features as well, including: Easy Recycling and composting programs Energy Star appliances High-performance water fixtures High-efficiency lighting Low VOC paints, adhesives, sealants and carpets to improve indoor air quality

Overall, Zocalo estimates that Cadence residents will spend 50 percent less on their utility bills than they would living in a similar, non-LEED certified building.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. Alta City House, 1801 Chestnut Street 280 apartment units From developer Wood Partners' website:

Alta City House is an exciting urban in-fill development located at the doorstep to the existing Union Station TOD hub station and directly connected to Riverfront Park via the in-place 18th street pedestrian bridge. The neighborhood is within walking distance to over 300 bars and restaurants, the Pepsi Center, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Coors Field, Mile High Stadium, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Continue for more photos of apartment projects under construction. 1650 Wewatta, 1650 Wewatta Street 288 apartment units From denverinfill.com:

1650 Wewatta is a 21-story apartment building to be constructed at the corner of 17th and Wewatta, immediately adjacent to the Commuter Rail Train Hall currently under construction behind Union Station. The project represents about one-third of what's called the "A" Block development site at Union Station, an L-shaped parcel located between Wewatta and the historic station from 16th to 17th streets.

1650 Wewatta will consist of 288 apartment units, with about 69 percent of the units as one-bedrooms, 25 percent as two-bedrooms, and 6 percent as studio apartments. A total of about 260 parking spaces will be provided on two underground levels and on floors 2 through 4, a 0.90 parking space/residential unit ratio that reflects the project's transit-adjacent location. The ground floor will feature about 7,000 SF of retail as well as lobby, utilities, and other building functions. Floors 5-21 will house the apartment units. Additional building amenities include a fitness club, yoga studio, pool and lounge area on the fourteenth floor, an outdoor courtyard space on the fifth floor, and 24-hour concierge.

1650 Wewatta is seeking LEED-Silver certification and should be finished in 2014.

More from our Business archive: "Apartment boom: Will the 15,000 apartments being built in metro area convert to condos?"

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