Dec 5, 2025 | Resources
Basements in Colorado must meet specific ceiling height requirements before they can be legally finished or used as habitable space. Under current building codes, most finished basements must maintain a minimum ceiling height of 7 feet, with limited allowances for beams, ducts, or structural projections. Older homes may qualify for certain exceptions, but modifications such as structural adjustments, slab lowering, or duct reconfiguration are often required to meet code. Knowing these requirements early helps homeowners understand feasibility, permitting, and design options for a successful basement remodel.
Dec 4, 2025 | Resources
Basement waterproofing and moisture control are essential steps before any basement finishing project in Denver. Because Colorado soils experience seasonal expansion, snowmelt, and inconsistent moisture levels, basements are especially vulnerable to seepage, humidity, and foundation movement. Effective basement waterproofing includes drainage improvements, vapor barriers, sump pump systems, grading corrections, and proper insulation. Addressing moisture early protects finishes, prevents mold, and ensures long-term durability for a finished basement.
Dec 2, 2025 | Resources
Finishing a basement in Wheat Ridge is one of the most cost-effective ways to add usable square footage and increase home value. High-impact upgrades such as adding a bedroom with egress, building a modern bathroom, creating flexible living areas, and improving natural light provide the strongest return on investment. In 2025, thoughtfully designed basement finishing projects typically increase home value by up to 20 percent, especially when completed with quality construction and clear permitting.
Nov 28, 2025 | Resources
Learn what affects how long a basement remodel takes and why most projects require 4 to 8 weeks depending on scope and existing conditions.
Nov 27, 2025 | Resources
How long should you expect a basement renovation to take? Discover why most projects require 4 to 8 weeks and how professionals maintain schedule efficiency.
Nov 25, 2025 | Resources
The typical timeline for a basement remodel is four to eight weeks, depending on permitting, design, upgrades, and finishing materials.
Nov 22, 2025 | Resources
A basement remodel in Denver typically takes four to eight weeks, although the total duration depends on permitting, scope, mechanical upgrades, and finish selections. Construction includes framing, rough-ins, drywall, and interior finishes. Working with a professional contractor like Sustainable Design Build helps keep schedules predictable.
Nov 14, 2025 | Resources
Basement finishing projects offer an average 70% return on investment (ROI), making them one of the most profitable home improvements in the Denver metro area. Homeowners typically spend $30,000 to $70,000, with resale value and livability gains that significantly enhance long-term property worth.
Nov 14, 2025 | Resources
A basement remodel typically costs 30–50% less than a home addition, averaging $25,000 to $70,000 depending on design scope, finishes, and layout. Because the structure already exists, basement renovations offer one of the best returns on investment among major remodeling projects.
Nov 13, 2025 | Resources
Converting a basement into a rental suite or ADU typically costs $40,000 to $120,000, depending on layout, plumbing, and finishes. The average price per square foot ranges from $20 to $45, and rental income can offset costs within five to seven years.
Nov 12, 2025 | Resources
The average cost to finish a basement ranges from $7 to $23 per square foot, depending on materials, design complexity, and contractor rates. In Denver, homeowners typically spend $40,000–$70,000 for a finished basement with livable amenities like bathrooms, offices, or media rooms.
Nov 11, 2025 | Resources
To finish a basement adds valuable living space and boosts property value, but the cost can vary widely on design and materials. According to sources and trends, the average cost to finish a basement ranges between $7 and $23 per square foot. For a 2,500-square-foot basement, homeowners can expect to invest between $17,500 and $57,500 on average.
Nov 7, 2025 | Resources
In early November 2025, Littleton voters approved Ballot Question 3A by a margin of approximately 55 percent, enshrining single-family zoning protections into the city’s charter. (The Colorado Sun) The new amendment freezes zoning rules in most residential districts as of January 1, 2025, and requires voter approval for city-initiated rezoning of those districts. (littletonco.gov)
Nov 6, 2025 | Resources
In recent weeks, the Denver Broncos submitted a formal redevelopment plan for their next home at Burnham Yard, a long-vacant industrial site just south of downtown Denver. The proposal envisions a new stadium surrounded by a walkable, mixed-use entertainment district—complete with housing, retail, and public green space.
Nov 6, 2025 | Resources
After sitting empty for more than two decades, the long-vacant lot at 5555 Greenwood Plaza Blvd is finally on its way to becoming a new residential community. Earlier this fall, the Greenwood Village City Council voted 8–0 to approve Century Communities’ plans for 90 single-family homes on 13 acres just south of The Landmark development — a mixed-use area featuring shops, restaurants, and two condominium towers.
Oct 21, 2025 | Resources
A recent Denver Post article highlighted a remarkable property in the Washington Park neighborhood: a six-bedroom, six-bathroom estate at 2111 E. Alameda Ave., listed for $4.2 million.
Sep 23, 2025 | Resources
When considering building a new home in Denver, most people expect the largest expenses to come from land, labor, and materials. Yet, a fourth factor — development fees charged by local governments — has become a significant cost driver, pushing prices higher for new home construction. A recent study by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver found that these fees account for more than 10% of the total cost of a single-family home (Svaldi, 2025).
Sep 18, 2025 | Resources
Redevelopment in Denver continues to reshape neighborhoods while balancing preservation with innovation. A recent decision by the Denver City Council highlights this balance as the former Denver Rock Drill Manufacturing Co. site prepares for a $585 million transformation into a vibrant mixed-use development (Wenzler, 2025). For residents and design enthusiasts, projects like these illustrate how thoughtful planning, historic preservation, and modern design can coexist to strengthen community identity.
Sep 11, 2025 | Resources
Just twelve miles southwest of downtown Denver lies Bow Mar, a one-square-mile statutory town nestled between Denver and Littleton. Recently profiled by The Wall Street Journal and highlighted by Westword, the community has been described as a “well-kept secret” and a “mythical land” where children fish in the neighborhood lake and residents live with such a sense of security that curtains and blinds often seem unnecessary (Metzger, 2025).
Sep 5, 2025 | Resources
Sustainable Design Build has been closely following the Ball Arena redevelopment since City Council’s approval in late 2024. In its article Ball Arena Redevelopment Approved By City of Denver, the firm detailed how Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) secured rezoning for approximately 70 acres surrounding the arena. The approval opened the door for mixed-use development that could bring up to 6,000 residential units — 18 percent of which are planned as affordable housing — along with taller buildings beyond the city’s traditional view plane restrictions and a strong emphasis on sustainable, people-centric urban design. Sustainable Design Build Denver continues to highlight how these changes are shaping the future of the city’s urban landscape. Sustainable Design Build Denver
Jul 15, 2025 | Resources
A modest-looking bungalow at 510 S. Garfield Street in Denver’s Belcaro neighborhood is under consideration for landmark designation, potentially shielding it from demolition. While its exterior appears ordinary, the interior showcases a rare and remarkably preserved example of Usonian architecture—a midcentury style pioneered by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1930s to bring modern design to middle-class homes.
Jul 3, 2025 | Resources
The story unfolding at 400 S. Williams Street in Denver’s historic Washington Park neighborhood is more than just a preservation effort — it’s a reflection of a broader conversation happening across the city. Residents are becoming increasingly invested in the future of their neighborhoods, the architectural character of their streets, and the legacy they leave behind.
Jun 18, 2025 | Resources
In May 2024, a quiet email introduction between Jessica Brody, General Counsel of Denver Water, and Tim Aragon, top legal counsel for the Denver Broncos, set the stage for a year-long series of strategic discussions that may reshape the heart of Denver. Over the past thirteen months, top executives from Colorado’s oldest water utility and the Denver Broncos organization have been in steady contact, joined at times by key city leaders including Mayor Mike Johnston’s chief of staff and Denver’s chief projects officer.
Jun 17, 2025 | Resources
In a string of secretive real estate transactions around Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, buyers have been scooping up industrial properties near the Burnham Yard railyard. Sellers like Shannon McCabe and Tim Armitage have reported being kept in the dark about the identities of the purchasers, with legal intermediaries handling the deals and non-disclosure agreements in place. These transactions, which include at least 13 properties totaling over $150 million, have raised speculation due to their volume, secrecy, and rapid pace.
Jun 12, 2025 | Resources
In a string of secretive real estate transactions around Denver’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, buyers have been scooping up industrial properties near the Burnham Yard railyard. Sellers like Shannon McCabe and Tim Armitage have reported being kept in the dark about the identities of the purchasers, with legal intermediaries handling the deals and non-disclosure agreements in place. These transactions, which include at least 13 properties totaling over $150 million, have raised speculation due to their volume, secrecy, and rapid pace.
Jun 6, 2025 | Resources
The Denver City Council has officially approved the rezoning of the historic Park Hill Golf Course, closing a prolonged chapter in one of Denver’s most complex development sagas. This rezoning transforms the 155-acre site from private open space—its designation when operating as a private golf course—into public open space. This change enables the land to serve a broader purpose: becoming Denver’s fourth-largest park, accessible to all city residents.
Jun 6, 2025 | Interior Design, Resources
Custom cabinetry is a foundational element in luxury home design, offering the highest level of personalization, craftsmanship, and function. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, bath, or creating built-ins for living spaces, understanding the basics of custom cabinetry will help you make confident, informed choices.
Jun 5, 2025 | Resources
Brad Buchanan, a seasoned leader in Denver’s urban development landscape, has once again stepped into the role of interim director for Denver’s Community Planning and Development (CPD) department. This development comes right after the somewhat sudden departure of Denver’s previous director, Manish Kumar, who held the role for just over a year.
May 30, 2025 | Resources
A new Whole Foods Market is coming to Denver’s Central Park neighborhood — a 40,000-square-foot grocery store planned for the corner of Central Park Boulevard and 40th Avenue. This development marks a significant milestone for northeast Denver, especially as it brings a nationally recognized grocer into an area already experiencing strong residential and commercial momentum.
May 30, 2025 | Resources
Recent data confirms it. According to a 2024 Colorado Polling Institute survey, about 50% of Denver residents own at least one dog, and 68% report having some kind of pet. Compare that with just 20% of residents raising children under eighteen, and it’s clear who’s really running the city. With an estimated 160,000 dogs in the city—more than Denver’s under-18 human population—it’s no surprise that the Mile High City regularly ranks near the top of “most dog-friendly” lists.
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