The name fits like a center fielder's glove: Ballpark neighborhood.
Home of the 2007 National League Champions Colorado Rockies and their home diamond, Coors Field, which opened in 1995 at 20th and Blake streets, the historic neighborhood is generally considered bounded by 18th and Blake Streets, Broadway and the Central Platte Valley rail yards to the north.
A good portion of the neighborhood - much of it still a busy warehouse and light industry district with many warehouses being renovated into upscale urban lofts - was designated the Ballpark Historic District in 2002.
From mid-April to mid-October, The Ballpark Market - an open-air flea market boasting 140 merchants selling everything from fresh farm produce to baked goods and arts and crafts accompanied by the sounds of live music and entertainment - is held on Larimer Street between 21st and 22nd streets.
Many landmarks grace the neighborhood, such as the Gothic-styled Trinity United Methodist Church with its 183-foot corner spire, arches and rich stained glass windows on Broadway and 18th Street. Reportedly, 3,500 people visit it weekly.
A more contemporary landmark is still being built just up the street at 20th and Broadway: the towering 32-story One Lincoln Park, which will have lower apartment units open in August 2008, and penthouse apartments available in October.
Fancy a Black and Tan? Then stop in at The British Bulldog, an authentic British pub at 2052 Broadway. You can't miss it with its colorful bright blue canopies against its red-brick exterior at the corner of Stout Street and Broadway.
A little farther north on Broadway is the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, housed in a two-story, red-and-tan brick building. Look north and you will see - a holy shrine for some Rockies fans - the elegant arches and iron-and-brick work of Coors Field. On the way there you can stop in the Old Curtis Street Bar, Mexican Food, sporting an adobe façade at the corner of 21st and Curtis streets. The Gilmore Art Center, with galleries available for shows, classes and events, sits just across the street.
Closer to Coors Field the Clubhouse Lofts - bedecked with a silver imitation baseball clubhouse on the roof of the two-story, red-brick lofts - are for sale. The First Base entrance to Coors Field - a traditionally-styled baseball stadium built on 76 acres and seating 50,445 fans - shimmers at Blake Street and Rockies Road and on balmy summer nights catching a Rockies game at their home diamond is heaven.
The famous Denver ChopHouse & Brewery is a, well - a baseball's throw - from Coors Field, housed in the two-story Union Pacific Building and The Keg, Steak House & Bar is right across the street. "We're always busy," one Chophouse valet said. "We love it."
Ballpark is also home to other busy restaurants, pubs, theatres, and organizations, such as El Chapultapec, The Cowboy Lounge, The Ice House building with its high-class apartments and Italian Trattoria, Sakura Square, Volunteers of America, Denver School of Nursing, theorie restaurant martini lounge, Marquis Theatre and Scruphy Murphy's Irish Pub.
If you are interested in buying or selling a home in the Ballpark neighborhood, please give us a call. We are always excited to work with new clients in one of Denver's great neighborhoods.