“If you’re new to town, people tell you you’ve got to go to lower Highlands,” says Realtor Lydia Lin. But today, noon to 4 p.m., she’ll show you an extensively rebuilt duplex in Curtis Park that, although less famous, has much of what Highlands offers – including lots of walk-to attractions and even better access into downtown.
Nos. 2807 and 2809 Champa St. began life in 1886 as a two-story duplex, in a popular area that offered a blend of larger homes and newer, smaller ones built by waves of immigrants. Owner/filmmaker Brendan Horan started by stripping the shell and giving them an extensive structural makeover – steel I-beam ribbing to take the load off their vintage brick buttresses and state-of-the-art truss-joist flooring. That allowed adding a full master suite level on a new third floor; and above that, an entertainment-sized deck level with a view across the towers of downtown, to Coors Field, to Mount Evans.
The exteriors of both homes are a little Plain-Jane, but Horan says his visitors say “Wow” when they enter, and then say even louder “Wows” as they view kitchen and bedroom levels. You’ll see a funky interior in 19th-century bare brick that showcases contemporary art and expanses of hickory flooring, along with loft-style exposed sections of those new I-beams.
There’s a contemporary kitchen with six-burner Capital gas cooktop and Fisher & Paykel compartmented dishwasher-drawers; along with a guest bedroom level with high-profile sink and bath installations; a full-floor master with sitting room, private balcony and views over the rooftops; and double mechanical systems.
Lin can also show you the shell of the identical home next door where Horan could do a custom version, as much as six bedrooms; not counting new, oversized two-car alley-load garages included with each. She also suggests exploring the interconnectivity of this neighborhood – not just to downtown, but the Ballpark/RINO district attracting new restaurants directly west and Five Points along Welton Street to the east, slated for its own revitalization.
if you go …
WHERE: Historic duplex in Curtis Park, one unit remade as 4,300-square-foot home, four bedrooms; second shell for a custom residence to six bedroom. 2807 Champa St., Denver; take Broadway north through downtown to Curtis Street, north 7 blocks to 29th Street, right to Champa Street, turn south
PRICE: $820,000
WHEN: Today (Sunday, March 3), noon to 4 p.m.
PHONE: 720-940-9590
WEB: OneRealtyDenver.com
