What made Harvey Park popular in the 1950s continues to draw people to this unique neighborhood in southwest Denver.
Harvey Park is known for the preponderance of mid-century modern architecture made popular in the 1950s. Following World World II, the Harvey Park neighborhood was established, featuring the architecture of Cliff May. His design became the post-war “dream home” — the California ranch. More than 4,000 homes were built in less than three years in Harvey Park to accommodate the “Baby Boomer” generation.
These homes were designed with young families in mind, and now almost 70 years later, the children of the Baby Boomers are also appreciating this distinctive architecture. These homes reflect a modern flair with open floor plans, exposed post and beam ceilings, clerestory windows, and floor-to-ceiling glass.
Many of the homes in Harvey Park have been updated but still have the May flavor. The population of the region reflects diversity in both age and ethnicity as many of the original homeowners never left and young families appreciate the simple, modern design.
Harvey Park’s boundaries are West Jewell on the north, Yale to the south, Federal on the east, and Sheridan to the west.
According to a recent article in 5280 Magazine, the median age of the 13,000 residents in Harvey Park is 34. Roughly 64% of the homes are owner-occupied and families account for 63% of the households.
The Harvey Park Improvement Association actively keeps a pulse on the community. Founded in 1956, HPIA has an elected board of officers, providing communication to the residents of the area and fostering a sense of community. The board is invested in the neighborhood and offers scholarships to students who reside in Harvey Park. Additionally, there is a Facebook page of Harvey Park Modern which is a resource for the awareness, preservation, and improvement of May’s mid-century architecture.
New Construction
Most of the homes in Harvey Park are older, featuring mid-century modern architecture. Most people have chosen to renovate their homes as opposed to scraping and building new. The biggest new home opportunities lie to the south in Harvey Park South. There, the old Loretto Heights campus is being transformed into a new live-work-play community.
The 72-acre site will be transformed into a mixed-use hub that will include shopping and retail, affordable housing, multi-family living opportunities, and some of the vast open space will be preserved as well. It will be one of the largest developments in the city of Denver in recent years.
Existing Homes for Sale
Harvey Park has become a popular place to buy, primarily due to its location and appeal of the Cliff May architecture. Homebuyers can still find homes priced below $500,000. According to REcolorado, the median sales price year-to-date is $522,100 and the median total price per square foot is $264.95
Over the last year, homeowners have seen the median sales price increase by an astounding $106,850. This area provides good value, especially for first-time homebuyers. The commute to downtown in less than 15 minutes and residents enjoy easy access to Hampden Avenue, and Federal and Sheridan Boulevards.
Things to do/Benefits of Living Here
The core of Harvey Park is the actual park, Harvey Lake, and the Harvey Park Recreation Center. The recreation center offers a variety of fitness classes and sports, and in the summer, children and adults enjoy the outdoor pool. Riviera and Wolcott Lakes are also found in within this area, where people can find lakeshore homes.
This neighborhood is ideally situated in the southwest Denver quadrant to allow for easy access to downtown Denver as well as Hwy. 285 for a quick escape to the foothills and mountains. Overland Golf Course is a five-minute drive away as is Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Hill Park where you can enjoy live music and entertainment.
Locals love the Mexican restaurants along Sheridan Boulevard and don’t miss an outing at the Crown Lanes and Sports Bar. This iconic establishment features a full-service bowling center with a bar, pro shop, snack bar, and several bowling leagues. A family run business, Crown Lanes focuses on family-oriented activities including birthday parties for kids of all ages. There is also a full-service pro shop.
