| Capitol
Hill is one of Denver's most historic and diverse neighborhoods. Its longstanding
popularity has made it the center city's most densely populated neighborhood, due in large
part to its proximity to outstanding transportation infrastructure, parks, unique retail
and entertainment opportunities. The neighborhood also offers perhaps the city's widest
range in housing types and price ranges--everything from modern high rise apartments to
single-family homes, apartments in historic mansions to lofts in renovated commercial
buildings. Capitol
Hill was founded in the 1880s as a new residential suburb for Denver's wealthiest
families, who built extravagant Victorian, Tudor and Greek revival mansions using
sandstone, granite and other materials native to Colorado. Among the most prominent
residents was legendary Titanic survivor, Molly Brown, whose house still stands on
Pennsylvania Street and is a popular museum. The Colorado State Capitol
building--dedicated in 1890--stands on the neighborhood's far west side at Colfax Avenue
and Lincoln Street. In Capitol Hill south of Colfax Avenue, there are nine
designated historic districts.
Today, many of those
mansions still stand, but the neighborhood has evolved into a mixed-use community with a
majority of apartments and condominiums. After serious population declines in the 1960s,
1970s and 1980s, Capitol Hill has enjoyed population increases during the past five years,
and some estimates call for 3,000 more new residents in the next 3 years.
On its north edge,
the resurgent Colfax Avenue is continuing its remarkable recovery after years of neglect
and high crime rates. As crime rates on Colfax and throughout the Capitol Hill
neighborhood have dropped dramatically in recent years, new retail, entertainment venues,
office users and even condominium developments have followed. In recent years, dilapidated
apartment buildings have been rehabilitated throughout Capitol Hill; commercial buildings
(such as Penn Garage Lofts at 14th and Pennsylvania Street) have been transformed into
mixed-use housing projects; and vacant lots have given rise to new construction housing
developments. There have been 22 development projects on Colfax Avenue alone in the last
three years, adding up to $34 million in investment that includes three residential
projects.
Capitol Hill also
features several small commercial and retail districts that are pedestrian friendly. One
of the city's most compact and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, Capitol Hill residents
walk to coffee shops, hardware stores, grocery stores, restaurants and other gathering
places at 9th and Corona Street, 11th and Ogden Street, and along the 14th Avenue
corridor. Capitol Hill's landmark park is Cheesman Park, and Downtown's Civic Center Park
is also close by.
Capitol Hill also is
home to some of Denver's best cultural and entertainment venues. In addition to the Molly
Brown House, the Vance Kirkland Museum (13th and Pearl Street) celebrates Denver's
internationally renowned abstract painter. On Colfax Avenue and Clarkson Street, Mammoth
Gardens has been refurbished into the Fillmore Auditorium, and a few blocks away is the
Ogden Theater. Both are popular small venues for music.
FACTS:
General
boundaries: Colfax Avenue, York Street, 7th Avenue, Lincoln
Population:
24,460
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