Life in Denver: Lowry Neighborhood
Affordability and a laid-back charm meet in Denver’s Lowry Neighborhood. Offering families and young professionals alike a place to call home—and with such a short drive to downtown’s amenities—there’s nothing like a little bit of Lowry.
Lowry Boundaries:
11th Ave (North), Fulton St (East), East Alameda Ave (South), Quebec St and Monaco Pkwy (West)
A Quick History of Lowry
In 1902, Lawrence Cowle Phipps bought 160 acres of land on what is now Quebec Street. Over the next century, the neighborhood would house many historic sites including The Agnes C. Phipps Memorial Sanatorium and Lowry Air Force Base. In 1948, the base became the birthplace of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
With a population of nearly 20,000 by the 1950s, the rest of the neighborhood began to take shape. With neighborhood pressure mounting (plus overcrowded air traffic), the base moved its operations out of the neighborhood in 1966. It continued as an elite training facility until 1994 when the base closed as part of military cost reduction measures.
Lowry took no time in repurposing the air force base’s property in the 1990s and early 2000s. Today, you’ll find museums, businesses, and luxury apartments occupying old aircraft hangars throughout the neighborhood. In addition to condos and apartments, you can also find popular mid-century homes. These offer a historic oasis from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area without sacrificing the accessibility.
What the Locals Say About Lowry
“Very nice, close to downtown Denver but not too close. Easy to get anywhere you need relatively quickly, stores for most things you could need are close. Nice place to walk and a few nice trails and parks nearby.” – Trulia user
“Excellent place to live. A real sense of community and comradery… Family and outdoors oriented with a strong sense of place and purpose.” – Niche user
“Lowry is a very safe and family friendly neighborhood featuring great walkable restaurants and shops. With numerous parks and open areas, it is a great neighborhood for those who own pets. A 15-minute commute to downtown makes it ideal for people who enjoy museums, food, and nightlife. The housing is excellent and upscale, especially with the new addition of the Boulevard 1 section. Overall Lowry is a wonderful, family friendly community that is full of life and opportunities. – Niche user
6 Reasons We Love Lowry
#1 - It’s super chill.
Lowry Field is decidedly chill. While many Denver neighborhoods are hip, edgy, chic, and busy, Lowry has a lovely, laid-back vibe. Don’t worry, though: You’re just minutes from the heart of Denver!
#2 - The natural vibes.
Lowry has some of the best views of the Rockies Denver has to offer. And, because it’s a quaint suburban area of the city, it’s also filled with lots of green. Llush trees, plush grass, and plenty of beautiful foliage. Ahhhhhhh.
Lowry’s green spaces include two big parks: Sunset Park and Great Lawn Park. Here you’ll find meadows for frolicking, playgrounds for playing, and local bands for listening. In this neighborhood, you get big city amenities and plenty of fresh air. It’s the best of both worlds!
#3 - It’s exercise-friendly.
Hello, health-focused folks! In addition to the two larger parks, Lowry also has 15 additional parks and open spaces totalling more than 800 acres. You can also check out the Lowry Sports Complex, where you’ll find sports fields of every kind. Or take your pooch for some exercise at the Lowry Dog Park.
#4 - Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
The Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, located in a former aircraft hangar, gives you a blast from the past. Here you’ll find exhibits of warplanes, decorative art, and space travel exhibits. There’s a little something for everyone at this unique attraction.
#5 - John Hand Theater
Looking to patronize the arts? Look no further than John Hand Theater. Tucked away in the historic Air Force Base First Station, this historic theater houses two companies: The Firehouse Theater Company and Germinal Stage Theater. They produce about nine shows a year in an intimate, 85-seat setting. There’s no bad seat at John Hand!
#6 - The Lowry Foundation
The Lowry Foundation is a “non-profit organization whose mission is preserving the legacy and strengthening the community of Lowry.” While its more traditional neighborhood organization branch—the Lowry Economic Redevelopment Authority—focuses its efforts on physical and infrastructure neighborhood improvements, the Lowry Foundation has a more fun purpose. They often award community grants to local projects in education, art, theater, and events, making this neighborhood organization a real winner for the community.
Ready to make your move?
We love Lowry, and we think you will, too! Book a Discovery Meeting to learn more about this incredible neighborhood and if it’s right for you.
Images courtesy of Lowry Neighborhood andWings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Facebook Pages