Nestled just a few miles southeast of downtown Denver, Cherry Creek is a vibrant neighborhood known for its upscale living, shopping, dining, and outdoor activities. With its unique blend of urban sophistication and suburban charm, Cherry Creek has become one of the most desirable places to live in the Mile High City. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time resident, there’s always something new to discover in this dynamic community. The neighborhood is bordered to the north by 6th Avenue, to the south by Alameda Avenue, to the east by Colorado Blvd, and to the west by University Boulevard.
A Brief History
One hundred and forty years ago, Cherry Creek North was part of a small town called Harman. Since then, Cherry Creek North has emerged as a staple in the fabric of Denver and Colorado, blossoming into a very special mixed-use district.
Temple Buell, born in Chicago in 1895, moved to Denver in 1921 for health reasons. He developed an interest in land speculation and, in 1925, purchased gravel pit land between University and Steele and 1st Avenue to Cherry Creek, initially planning high-end housing. A flood in 1933 led him to allow the city to use the site as a garbage dump.
After the completion of the Cherry Creek Dam post-WWII, Buell announced the construction of the Coloden Moor Shopping Center in 1946, Denver's second major shopping center. Following zoning disputes, construction began in 1950 on 9 acres, featuring a Denver Dry store and 17 other shops. The center opened in stages, with Denver Dry launching in 1953 and the shopping center finishing in 1955.
By 1957, plans for apartments were abandoned as the center expanded chaotically without a cohesive architectural theme. This trend continued into the 1960s. In 1968, Buell proposed a 54-story skyscraper, sparking outrage among neighbors and resulting in height restrictions for future buildings in Cherry Creek.
Real Estate and Living
Cherry Creek is known for its luxurious real estate options, ranging from modern condos to historic homes. The neighborhood features a mix of architectural styles, including contemporary designs and classic brick buildings. While the cost of living is higher than the Denver average, many residents find the investment worthwhile due to the neighborhood's amenities and lifestyle.
Shopping
One of the standout features of Cherry Creek is its shopping scene. The Cherry Creek Shopping Center is a premier destination, featuring high-end retailers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. In addition to luxury brands, the shopping center also offers a variety of dining options, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments.
-
Artisan Center: Featuring handcrafted pottery, contemporary jewelry, chimes, candles, glassware as well as gifts for babies and children of all ages.
-
Gnat Jewelry Atelier: A beautiful array of custom jewelry ranging from classic to contemporary. A couture jewelry selection hand-crafted to perfection.
-
Little Feet Shoe Store: A store that measures both feet for proper sizing, and one that offers old fashioned, personalized service.
-
A Line Boutique: This chic boutique offers a curated selection of high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories for women.
-
Balani Custom Clothiers: Is a bespoke tailoring service located in Cherry Creek, Colorado.
-
Bee & Pollen: Is a Colorado-based boutique that offers floral design, home goods and gifts.
-
Acredo The Bridal Lounge: Offers an extensive selection of bridal jewelry known for its quality, design, and timeless appeal.
-
The Brass Bed, Fine Linens & Furnishings: Is a furniture store located in Cherry Creek, Colorado. They specialize in stylish and high-quality fine linens and furnishings, particularly brass beds, which are a hallmark of their brand.
-
Cherry Creek Watch Company: Their watches often feature classic designs, detailed craftsmanship, and intricate mechanisms, making them sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Beyond the shopping center, Cherry Creek North is a charming area filled with boutiques, art galleries, and unique shops. Strolling through the tree-lined streets, you’ll find everything from fashion to home decor, making it a perfect destination for a leisurely afternoon.
Dinning
Cherry Creek North dining offers a diverse and vibrant culinary scene that caters to all tastes and preferences. This upscale dining destination boasts a wide array of restaurants, cafes, and eateries that showcase a mix of local flavors, international cuisines, and innovative culinary creations.
-
Cherry Creek Grill: A popular spot for American cuisine with a cozy atmosphere.
-
The Cherry Cricket: A local favorite for burgers and casual dining.
-
North Italia: It's a contemporary take on traditional Italian cuisine, offering a wide range of dishes, from pasta to pizza, salads, and more.
-
True Food Kitchen: This modern American restaurant offers a seasonal menu that changes quarterly, featuring fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Their dishes are free from artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. Their menu includes vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options, making it an excellent choice for diners with dietary restrictions.
-
Hillstone: Known for its upscale shopping and dining options. As a contemporary American bistro, Hillstone at Cherry Creek offers a menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients with a focus on steak, seafood, and pasta dishes.
-
Machete Tequila and Tacos: Vibrant bar & grill focusing on tacos with creative fillings & an extensive menu of tequilas.
Arts and Culture
The cultural scene in Cherry Creek is thriving, with numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural events. The neighborhood hosts the Cherry Creek Arts Festival each summer, showcasing local and national artists, live music, and delicious food. This event attracts thousands of visitors and is a highlight of the community calendar.
-
The Cherry Creek Arts District: A collection of galleries and studios featuring local artists.
-
Cherry Creek Mural Creation: It took place in November 2018. It is my second mural created for the Denver Urban Arts Fund Graffiti prevention program.
-
Fascination St. Fine Art: Is a Cherry Creek North art gallery featuring original art paintings, sculpture and limited edition artwork by national and international renowned artists including: Nano Lopez, Charles Fazzino, Michael Godard, Tom Everhart, Michael Cheval Fabio Napoleoni & many more.
-
Saks Galleries Cherry Creek: is located in the heart of the Cherry Creek North shopping district and has been Denver's premier art gallery for over 50 years.
-
Abend Gallery: Is a contemporary art gallery located in Cherry Creek, Denver. Established in 2011, the gallery showcases works by both established and emerging artists from around the world. ABEND's mission is to promote artistic innovation and exploration, offering a unique visitor experience through rotating exhibitions, artist talks, and events.
Health and Wellness
Cherry Creek places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with numerous fitness centers, yoga studios, and wellness clinics. The neighborhood is home to several parks and outdoor spaces that encourage an active lifestyle.
-
Barry's: The original high-energy, calorie scorching, cardio and strength interval training workout that kicked off a boutique fitness movement.
-
Belly Bliss: Offering specialized wellness services, including massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, and pelvic floor therapy, prenatal & postnatal yoga, BYO Baby yoga, prenatal partner yoga, private yoga, educational parenting workshops, private and group lactation services, and peer support circles.
-
Club Pilates: Offers more than just low-impact, full-body workouts. With a range of class offerings that challenge your mind as well as your body, Club Pilates provides a path to a richer, more-fulfilling life.
-
SoulCycle: It is a sanctuary. A space where people can come as they are and celebrate who they are. To work through whatever struggles they are facing that day. To emerge feeling better, stronger. The thousands of tiny miracles that happen during these experience.
-
Rumble Boxing Cherry Creek: A10-round, 45-minute boxing and strength training workout that is evenly divided between two styles of training. Half of the class is spent exploring the skills and drills of boxing, and the other half is spent on the transformative power of resistance training.
-
Studio CLMBR: Offers the ultimate cardio and strength workout. Choose from climbing only classes or bootcamp style classes where you will alternate between the CLMBR and floor-based strength exercises with weights, resistance bands, and mobility training.
-
The Teddi B Workout: Focuses on sustainable weight loss and muscle gain through a combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
Events and Festivals
Throughout the year, Cherry Creek hosts a variety of events and festivals that bring the community together. From farmers' markets to holiday celebrations, there’s always something happening in the neighborhood.
-
Cherry Creek Farmers Market: A weekly farmers' market featuring local produce, artisanal goods, and live music.
-
Cherry Creek Arts Festival: An annual event showcasing the work of local and national artists, along with food vendors and live performances. Plan on this every July.
-
Smash Fine Arts Festival: Is a highly curated, outdoor fine-art exhibit showcasing top-tier national artists, with live acoustic music all weekend.
Conclusion
Cherry Creek is a neighborhood that truly has it all—luxurious living, exceptional shopping and dining, and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you’re looking to settle down, explore, or simply enjoy a day out, Cherry Creek offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and community charm. Embrace the lifestyle and discover why Cherry Creek is one of Denver’s premier neighborhoods!
Contact me today with any questions:
Kelly Thompson-Milner, REALTOR
303.587.3846
[email protected]
Kelly’s Additional Credentials:
Residential Construction Certified
New Build Specialist Designation
