The name Golden Triangle originated from the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Association, a later name given to the district.  Some also refer to the district as “The Civic Center” after Civic Center Park and many civic institutions developed by Denver’s Mayor Robert Speer between 1904-1919. The neighborhood’s roots, however go back to the late 19th century making this one of Denver’s oldest neighborhoods. Many single family Victorian homes and bungalows were built here  in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After WWII the district seems to have fallen into a bit of disarray replacing with many buildings with parking for State office works and low intensity warehousing and industry. Starting in the 1990s, perhaps as the result of the new Central Library, the neighborhood began its transformation into a functional multi-use neighborhood. New condominium and loft developments came into the neighborhood, and many of the old supply stores and garages were transformed into restaurants, art galleries, and small offices.  The neighborhood also has a vibrant arts scene playing off the energy of the Denver Art Museum and Kirkland Museum. There are also many other museums and governmental buildings here as well.

Yet, there is still much urban transformation work needed here starting with the infill development to replace the many remaining surface parking lots and revitalize many underutilized bldgs, especially the southern half of Broadway. The neighborhood also lacks a good tree canopy, walkable schools, park amenities, diverse housing options and many retail amenities. This could become a premiere urban district with wonderful access to Dwtn if developers and civic leaders put their minds to it.

URBAN STRENGTHS:

* Generally very good sidewalk and ADA infrastructure. Around 25% of curbs don’t have modern ADA curbs.
* Excellent bike infrastructure and public transit access.
* Very convenient access to Dwtn across all modes. This is a very walkable neighborhood.
* Excellent economic diversity and decent racial diversity.
* Golden Triangle hosts the city’s best concentration of museums including the Denver Art Museum, Women’s History, Kirkland Museum, History CO Center & several smaller ones. Also solid food & beverage industry here, good # of night clubs, several art galleries, and a local theater.
* Some debate about it but Golden Triangle is actually a pretty safe place overall. Part of the perception of crime here is due to its large homeless population and a fair amount of blight along Broadway Ave.
* Some good historic architecture mixed throughout but mostly modern in-fill now of a mixed quality.
* Very good mixed use quality.
* Golden Triangle does hosts the main Denver public library and a quality post office.

URBAN WEAKNESSES:

* So  urban density here.
* Not great tree canopy.
* Large number of surface parking lots and urban form is hit or miss.
* Few households with children but good age diversity among adults.
* Several walkable schools within the Golden Triangle or nearby but generally not rated well and smaller schools.
* For sale hsg on the pricy side and not many moderately priced condos. 1-beds sell btwn 400K-600K, 2-beds btwn 450K-900K, 3&4 beds sell btwn 700K-1.3M.
* Studios & 1-beds lease btwn 1.5K-2.5K, 2-beds btwn 2.5K-3.5, and very few 3 beds units available.
* Parks are limited to the State House/Civic Center Park and the Sunken Gardens Park.
* Ok retail amenities including a supermarket, a couple boutiques, a record shop, several gyms, a couple dessert shops, a few churches and a major hospital on the SW side of district. Good access, however, to all the retail amenities of Dwtn and the capital district.
* Decent urban orientation of bldgs that stand and decent streetscaping but lots of surface prkg lots remain here.
* Some pedestrians areas but lots of dead spots.