Everything New and Coming Soon to Denver: Fall 2026

Denver is in the middle of one of its most active development periods in recent memory. New housing is taking shape across the city and suburbs, major transportation projects are nearing completion, and commercial development is bringing new shopping, dining, and mixed-use destinations to neighborhoods across the metro. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new, what’s underway, and what’s worth watching this fall.

Residential

Cherry Creek West

Cherry Creek West remains the most anticipated development project in the metro. The 13-acre redevelopment at University Boulevard and First Avenue, covering roughly four city blocks, began demolition on March 10, with Elway’s, Brio, The Container Store, and the old Macy’s Furniture building all cleared to make way for what’s planned.

This fall, crews are expected to begin underground infrastructure work, including roads and utilities, alongside improvements to the Cherry Creek Trail connection. The full plan calls for seven buildings, some reaching 13 stories, with approximately 825 homes, all currently expected to be luxury rental apartments rather than for-sale condos. The project also includes around 100,000 square feet of retail, four acres of public open space, office space, and more than 2,000 underground parking spots.

The first building is not expected to open until summer 2029, so Cherry Creek West will remain an active construction zone for the next several years. For now, increased construction traffic in the area is likely as work ramps up heading into 2027.

The Parson, Golden Triangle

A few miles from Cherry Creek, The Parson apartment complex in the Golden Triangle neighborhood is already open, with move-ins beginning in mid-June. The building includes 309 residences ranging from compact studios to penthouse layouts, along with a two-story fitness center with sauna, a fifth-floor pool deck, an outdoor yoga area, and indoor and outdoor dog parks with a pet spa.

The location puts residents within walking distance of the Denver Art Museum, Civic Center Park, and History Colorado. For buyers and investors watching downtown Denver’s recovery, projects like The Parson signal continued developer confidence in the urban core despite ongoing challenges with office vacancy and return-to-work momentum.

RidgeGate and The Lyric, Lone Tree

On the east side of Lone Tree, the RidgeGate community’s long-planned eastern expansion is gaining momentum. The Lyric, a new construction neighborhood within RidgeGate, recently opened its amenity center in mid-June, featuring a restaurant, gym, and pool. With more homes still being added to the neighborhood, the amenity center gives existing residents a gathering point while the broader buildout continues.

The Onyx apartment building near RidgeGate Parkway has also opened, bringing more than 300 apartment units online. Construction began in April on a new retail center anchored by a King Soopers Marketplace, with a spring opening currently targeted. The Interstate 25 and RidgeGate Parkway light rail station provides transit access for residents throughout the area.

Lofts on Monaco, Denver Tech Center

At 4340 South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center, an office tower that sat vacant for five to six years was purchased for $12 million and reopened this summer as Lofts on Monaco, with 143 apartments ranging from studios to four-bedroom units. It is one of the first completed office-to-residential conversions in Denver since the pandemic and a signal that municipalities and developers are beginning to work through the regulatory and practical challenges of repurposing vacant commercial space into housing.

Infrastructure

East Colfax

The East Colfax reconstruction project, one of the most disruptive road projects in recent Denver memory, is expected to reach a significant milestone this fall. The stretch between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard is set to reopen, though with a new configuration: two center lanes dedicated to buses, cars confined to outer lanes, a raised median, and left turns limited to signalized intersections.

RTD is already running practice operations in the new bus lanes, with Routes 15 and 15L expected to begin using them this fall, including stops at Pennsylvania, Downing, and Franklin. Full bus rapid transit service, complete with new buses, ticketing stations, and live arrival signage, is still targeted for the end of 2027.

The reopening itself should provide meaningful relief to Colfax businesses that have been operating through years of construction-related disruption, reduced parking, and road closures. Full BRT is still years away, but the street itself becoming usable again is a meaningful first step for a corridor with significant long-term potential.

Peña Boulevard

The outbound section of Peña Boulevard between Gun Club Road and the A Line bridge is expected to wrap up by the end of November, with traffic returning to its final configuration after that. Drainage and safety work closer to the airport is ongoing as part of broader Peña Boulevard upgrades, with additional planning and study work extending into 2027 and beyond. By year’s end, travel to and from Denver International Airport should be noticeably smoother.

Downtown Light Rail

RTD is actively rebuilding sections of Stout and California Streets between 14th and 19th, along with the Colfax rail segment between 7th and 10th near Auraria, and portions of the Downtown Loop. Parts of Stout Street are currently reduced to one lane through mid-October.

The D, H, and L lines will continue operating with bus substitutions for the remainder of the year. Direct light rail service to the Colfax at Auraria station is not expected to resume until early 2027, with a first-quarter target. Riders who rely on light rail to reach downtown should continue planning for bus connections through the end of 2026.

Burnham Yard Stadium District

The planned Broncos stadium district at Burnham Yard is receiving significant attention but will not see major construction activity this fall. The broader mixed-use district plan covers approximately 150 acres surrounding the stadium site. Additional land parcels have been acquired in recent months to round out the footprint.

A first draft of the area plan is expected in October, with a final version potentially moving toward approval by year-end or early 2027. Construction is still targeted for spring 2027, with the first phase of the district not expected to open until 2031. For the remainder of 2026, progress at Burnham Yard will primarily be visible on the planning and land preparation side rather than vertical construction.

Commercial

New King Soopers at 4201 East Arkansas

A new King Soopers opened in June at 4201 East Arkansas Avenue, replacing a 1960s-era Belcaro store that was roughly 42,000 square feet. The new location exceeds 100,000 square feet and adds a fuel center, Starbucks, and drive-through pharmacy. The $37 million project represents a significant retail upgrade for the surrounding neighborhood. The former Belcaro store property is already slated for demolition and redevelopment.

Denver Pavilions Redevelopment

Downtown Denver’s Pavilions mall could be in for a dramatic transformation. The Downtown Denver Development Authority has committed up to $45 million toward the project, with approximately $37 million going toward a property purchase and roughly $23 million toward nearby parking lots.

The current proposal calls for demolishing three of the four existing buildings and replacing them with a public plaza, new retail, and approximately 1,200 homes. The cinema building would be retained and repurposed for restaurants, retail, and live events. The full project is estimated to cost between $500 million and $615 million. The plan remains in the planning and approval stage, with no construction underway yet, but if it moves forward it would represent one of the most significant steps in downtown Denver’s residential recovery.

Link 56, Green Valley Ranch

Near 56th Avenue and Tower Road, a new mixed-use development called Link 56 is taking shape on approximately 150 acres with direct access to the Peña Station light rail stop. Phase one represents a roughly $235 million investment and includes a 150,000-square-foot Target, more than 200 apartments, 170 build-to-rent townhomes, additional retail and dining, and 27 acres of parks.

At full build-out, the plan calls for approximately 2,000 rental homes and about 250,000 square feet of commercial space, positioning Link 56 as a significant residential and retail hub for the airport-area corridor.

Prost Brewing at Clear Creek Crossing, Wheat Ridge

In Wheat Ridge, Prost Brewing opened a 6,800-square-foot biergarten in August at 3801 Crossing Drive, becoming the first building to open at The Lookout at Clear Creek Crossing. The full dining district covers roughly four acres surrounding a public park, with the buildings oriented toward Lookout Mountain. Two additional buildings are planned, including a restaurant and a brunch concept.

The surrounding park is designed as a standalone attraction, with a playground, game lawn, fire pits, and a small amphitheater included in the plans.

The Bottom Line

Most of Denver’s major projects this fall are in the early stages of work that will take years to complete. Cherry Creek West, Burnham Yard, the Pavilions redevelopment, and several infrastructure upgrades all point toward a city actively planning its next phase of growth. For buyers and homeowners tracking how these projects might affect property values in surrounding neighborhoods, the fall of 2026 marks an important moment to pay attention.

Ryan Haarer is one of the top 1.5% of realtors by volume in the country, according to RealTrends, and works in the Denver metro area. Reach out for a personalized consultation by calling or texting Ryan at 303-507-5910 or emailing him at [email protected].