One week into the new, high-stakes gambling limits in Central City and
Black Hawk, anybody that arrives for free barbecue sandwiches today at
Prospectors Run will find that the reason homes are selling here is the
views, rather than the craps and roulette.
“People are always commenting on how pretty it is here,” says Rita Lee,
who will be showing off her new ‘Sunlight’ model townhome (big master,
two guest bedrooms, study, and wide-open entertainment area with views),
a mile up the hill from where crowds explore the old Opera House and
surrounding casinos, which were given a shot in the arm when voters
raised the betting limit to $100, and added table games.
“You don’t even know there’s gaming here,” says builder Bob Patterson,
who’s kept a small inventory of townhomes at Prospectors Run moving
toward summer delivery (from $229,840), ahead of steady sales that are
keeping pace. Half of those buyers, Patterson says, are making Central
City their primary residence…taking advantage of the low tax rates and
very low cost-per-foot for nicely appointed units (slab granite,
stainless appliances), compared to prices along the foothills.
The other half, Lee adds, are buying a second home…a market that
should be dead this year. But it’s the mountains, more than the
mountain gambling, that buyers cite as their reason for purchasing.
You’ll see why as you pull into the neighborhood, a mile up Eureka
Street from the Teller House. Townhouses are in contemporary
architecture that harks back to the mining towns’ 19th century
roots…set against a mountainside of aspens that are at peak-green
right now. Patterson moved through 70 sales there, and has crested the
hill to some new homes that look west to the summits along the Divide. A
mile away are two lakes popular with owners, one reserved for Central
City residents, the other a Gold Medal waters lake limited to flies and
lures. Closer still, just a few hundred yards from the model, is a site
Patterson says is being promoted for a city 18-hole golf course.
“There’s the potential for some real appreciation,” says Lee, who adds
that high-stakes betting has sparked a flurry of real estate activity.
Try the tables for yourself when you visit today; but, Lee adds, by all
means look at the aspens, too…and at the low mileage on your odometer,
compared to a trip up to Summit County. Take Central City Parkway from
I-70 and watch for the yellow signs.
WHERE:
Free barbecue at Prospectors Run; spacious, resort-style
townhomes above Central City. Take I-70 west to Central City Exit 243
(before Idaho Springs), Central City Parkway 8 miles to Central City;
continue thru town on Spring St., watch for yellow signs.
PRICE:
From $217,500
WHEN:
Barbecue today, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
PHONE:
303-582-0286
Web:
