It’s no secret that there has been a boom in modern residential development around campus and in the larger Denver area. It feels like every corner I turn, there’s another gaggle of construction men with equipment, demolishing the remnants of a home. If not that, then perhaps a staked sign reading “Coming soon – 27 multifamily apartments.”
Since I started at DU four years ago, the neighborhood has changed significantly. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind, cottage-like houses are quickly being replaced with tall, sleek and modern condominiums. I grew up in a fairly historic neighborhood in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but as a kid I’d occasionally stumble upon a suburban neighborhood of sameness. My family would call these “cookie-cutter houses” due to their strikingly boring and similar designs.
The constant sound of bulldozers down High Street is annoying enough, but I can’t help but cringe at the suck-the-life-out-of-you developments these beautiful homes are being replaced with. I know I’m not the only one who has wondered how far this boom will go, before no one can even tell which house is their own.
DU alum Aleksi Schuchman experienced this heartbreak first hand when the home she was renting near campus was demolished and replaced with a newer development. She referred to her place as “The Nest,” and recalled how inviting and welcoming the house made everyone feel.
“It brought people together and was filled with love,” she said.
Schuchman recounted the first time she walked by the new foundation that stood in The Nests’ place.
“It was strange to see the walls that held up so many ups and downs, gone,” said Schuchman. “It didn’t feel like the same space I had grown to love.”
Schuchman expressed that living in an old house surrounded by modern townhouses intensified her opinion about the new developments.
“It was really hard to watch houses with so much history be destroyed for the sake of more money,” she said.
Critics have expressed similar opinions about the way the entire city is starting to look and feel. I am in full agreement, but I also consider myself an optimist, so I’m here to inform those concerned that not all is dead and boring in the Mile High City.
Although the ship has unfortunately sailed for DU and surrounding areas, I’d argue there are still a few neighborhoods clinging onto life in Denver. If you’re feeling surrounded by endless cookie-cutter houses and need a breath of fresh air, I recommend visiting Curtis Park, located in the Five Points District.
Known for its rich Victorian history, Curtis Park takes pride in its unique architecture and preservation efforts around it. In fact, a registered neighborhood organization called Curtis Park Neighbors partakes in several initiatives in place to keep developers accountable and to advocate for community interests, not just the interests of the investors and landlords with disposable income. In this area, you’ll be astonished by the colorful and charismatic architecture, where no house looks the same and each one tells a story.
With time comes change and with change comes new developments. I’m going to have to get over that. But for now, you’ll find me appreciating the remaining rare distinctive dwellings, amongst a sea of monotony.
