Observatory Park offers the charm of a college town, the convenience of a central location, and the serenity of a traditional neighborhood where lovely historic homes and mature shade trees line picturesque streets and neighbors visit from front porches on summer evenings.
The University of Denver (DU) and Iliff School of Theology were founded downtown in 1864 by John Evans, the 2nd territorial governor of Colorado, but moved to Observatory Park in 1880. Renowned architect Robert Roeschlaub designed University Hall, the school’s first building, and Humphrey Baker Chamberlain donated money for the telescope now housed in Romanesque Chamberlain Observatory. The telescope’s remarkable 20-inch refractor lens had been displayed at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Home of the top-ranked Pioneers hockey team and the cultural heart of the area, DU offers theater, concerts, seminars, and lectures, while the observatory, a coveted resource for amateur astronomy buffs, delivers the marvels of the universe right to your door. Observatory Park’s newest icon, a gleaming gold bell tower, tops DU’s Ritchie Center. Observatory Park is home to Magness Arena, Coors Fitness Center, Gates Field House, and Hamilton Gymnasium.
The newly streamlined I-25 corridor and Light Rail whisks commuters to Downtown, the Central Platte Valley, Denver Tech Center, and Park Meadows Mall. University, Colorado, and Yale also speed residents on their way, but many opt for a quiet stroll to one of the area’s many delightful cafes, coffee bars, restaurants, convenience food outlets, and myriad retail stores. Perennial favorites, Mustard’s Last Stand, featuring authentic Chicago-Style hot dogs, Pete’s University Park Cafe, and Stick-e-Rice, an Asian bistro, always draw a crowd.
Reminiscent of old-world villages, the quaint shopping districts at Old South Gaylord and South Pearl Street offer bookshops, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Sushi Den on Pearl Street is one of the most popular sushi spots in Denver, and Stella’s Coffee house attracts a diverse crowd of locals, students, and professionals.
At University Hills Plaza, Chez Artiste, a tri-plex movie house, showcases the finest independent films and foreign language cinema. For first-run features, there’s Colorado Center Stadium 9, at Colorado and I-25, next door to Dave & Buster’s arcade and restaurant.
Steeped in Denver history, Observatory Park, a family oriented neighborhood with a dash of spice, offers a zesty blend of modern and traditional lifestyles and architecture.
