Getting your player ready...
One thing that hasn’t changed in 12 years since Stapleton opened as a master-planned community is that the newest neighborhood there always gets a rapid buy-in from builders as well as from homebuyers, wanting to get ahead of the curve. Buyers have literally roared through Stapleton’s Conservatory Green neighborhood (it opened in 2012); and today you can drop by a fun visitor center to see what’s next: Willow Park East, wrapped in a half dozen creatively designed parks, with models by nine builders either open or on the way, close to trails and to all the shopping and dining at The Shops at Northfield.
No community gets more international attention. Bloomberg touted Stapleton to the British, who’ve weighed replacing London’s Heathrow Airport in a similar concept; and next month a team arrives from Japan to see New Town Builders’ energy efficient homes – among a dozen models you can already tour of collections available in Willow Park East.“The rollout of Willow Park East is a continuation of Stapleton’s success,” says Gene Myers, New Town’s CEO, preparing to welcome Japanese visitors from Panasonic. “To have an anchor amenity like The Shops at Northfield is really unique; but there’s also a seminal effect from how popular the preceding phase at Conservatory Green has been.” You’re going to see two things that add even more creativity to that mix when you tour the Visitor Center on Uinta Street, just north of the shopping area. One is a series of ‘purpose parks’ wrap the neighborhood – including Quilted Park, with an edible landscape of gardens and fruit trees; and wedge-shaped ‘Pizza Park’ with a wood-fired oven for BYOB pizza parties. You’ll see community gardens – a huge hit in Conservatory Green – and a dog park. And you’re going to find an even wider range of prices – including affordable lines that’ll make Stapleton reachable for a wider audience. “People hear about Stapleton well before they arrive in Denver, but they rarely get the idea until they see the Visitor Center that there are nine builders selling in Willow Park East,” says Tammy Tran, who along with Holly Lange will meet you today. Buyers are often surprised to find that designs by different builders are blended together, creating lots of variation in architecture and prices. You’ll also experience the community feel (the Visitor Center hosts cooking classes and has ping pong, its own garden, and a free lending library). And you’ll see row homes from the mid-$200s; paired homes and single family designs from the low $300s – and choices of mid-priced homes, patio ranches, and luxury homes to the $700s and $800s. From central Stapleton, take Central Park Boulevard north, past I-70, to Northfield Boulevard and turn left a half mile to Uinta. WHERE: Willow Park East, Stapleton’s newest neighborhood, new ‘purpose parks,’ homes by Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, David Weekley, Infinity Home Collection, KB Home, Lennar, New Town Builders, Parkwood Homes, Wonderland and more, close to shopping & dining. Visitor Center 4928 Uinta St., Denver; from Quebec in Stapleton take MLK east 0.7 mi. to Central Park Blvd., north 1½ mi. to Northfield, left ½ mi. to Uinta PRICE: From mid-$100s to $800s WHEN: Today noon until 6 p.m.