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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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