Reviving a Forgotten Lot: Single-Stair Housing Prototype in Denver’s Baker Neighborhood

Located at the corner of 4^th Avenue and Broadway in the Baker neighborhood of Denver, this lot has been nothing but a parking lot for decades. Despite being zoned for 5-stories, this lot is too small for a traditional apartment building and too expensive to allow a modest townhome project to work. Adding to the difficulties is an adjacent historic home that isolates the lot. It can’t be combined with other properties—making a viable multifamily project impossible—and its massing is significantly cut back from abutting a protected district. As a result, it’s basically been forgotten—a missing spot in the urban fabric where nothing makes economic sense despite a prime location and generous zoning. It’s a sad lot that was forever destined to be a parking lot—until now.

As cities across Colorado amend local building codes to permit five-story multifamily residential buildings served by a single exit stair, this once forgotten lot has a new life. Leaning into the architectural roots of Baker and the historical red brick home next door, the design is an exploration of masonry forms and industrial detailing. In an additional nod to the 130-year-old neighboring house, the ground floor at the front is recessed to allow spatial relief and visibility from southbound traffic on Broadway.

Developed as a proof-of-concept prototype, this 5-story single-stair apartment building affords a 25,100 SF building with 17 units and 26 underground parking spaces, as well as resident-only outdoor spaces, co-working space, and a full rooftop fitness amenity.

Floor Plans

Envisioned as a high-end for-lease property or a luxury condominium, the unit mix includes six one-bedroom, nine two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom units ranging from 950 SF to 1,850 SF.

Learn More

Learn more about the upcoming code changes and what HB25-1273 means for housing in Colorado on our blog, Reimagining Urban Housing: The Rise of Single-Stair Apartment Buildings in Denver. And, check out our 4-story single-stair prototype design for affordable housing that utilizes a zoning incentive to unlock an additional story of height in 3-story districts.

As a Denver-based firm that is an expert in residential design with almost 50 years of experience, KGA is the ideal firm to partner with on delivering innovative and efficient urban infill housing.