Explore Denver’s Lowry neighborhood: Former military base transformed

Lowry is a highly sought-after neighborhood known for its well-designed layout, convenient walkability, numerous pocket parks, and comfortable suburban atmosphere.

The housing options are varied, ranging from budget-friendly townhouses and condos to luxurious multi-million-dollar estates.

Like Denver’s Central Park neighborhood, built on the former Stapleton Airport property, Lowry offers a suburban feel, said

Jessica Zalkin with 8z.

“It’s right in the center of the city, but you don’t feel the hustle and bustle the way you do in some urban neighborhoods,” Zalkin said. “It feels like a community. The streets are set up, so you feel comfortable as a pedestrian.”

Neighborhood history

Initially developed in the early 1900s, the Lowry neighborhood was home to the Agnes C. Phipps Memorial Sanatorium, one of Colorado’s largest tuberculosis treatment centers. After the sanatorium closed in 1932, it became an army airbase that played a significant role during World War II and the

Cold War before closing in 1994. Lowry Air Force Base was dedicated to Lt. Francis Brown Lowry, a Denver native and the first aerial observer shot down behind enemy lines during World War I. The previous National Guard field near Dahlia Street, also known as Lowry, was incorporated into the new base when it opened in 1937. Since being repurposed for residential use, the area has transformed into a thriving community that showcases architectural styles reminiscent of Denver’s earlier development, such as Queen Anne, Tudor, Colonial Revival, bungalow, Foursquare, and Mediterranean. The neighborhood received national awards for converting a military base to civilian purposes.

What’s available?

The neighborhood includes single-family homes, duplexes, condos, and apartments.

“It’s very diverse with everything from townhouses and condos to multi-million-dollar estates,” Zalkin said.

The neighborhood renovation converted the old junior officers’ quarters into affordable housing. Former officers’ homes built in the 1940s and 1950s also have been remodeled. “That makes it feel like an older, more established neighborhood,” Zalkin said.

New construction ranges from one- to three-bedroom condos to large homes.

Prices for condos range from $330,000 to $600,000, and single-family homes range from $800,000 to $3 million. Properties in the neighborhood typically sell within two to three weeks, Zalkin said.

Who’s moving in?

Lowry’s townhomes appeal to downsizing empty nesters, while four-bedroom, single-family homes with large yards draw young families seeking space for their growing families.

“Overall, it’s a really cool little nook that offers something for everyone,” Zalkin said.

Lowry amenities

The neighborhood boasts a public library, the Jackie Robinson Baseball Field, and the pedestrianfriendly Lowry Town Center with restaurants, shops, and grocery stores.

Lowry offers over 800 acres of park and open space options, including playgrounds, a golf course, an ice arena, a recreation center with a pool, a dog park, and hiking and biking trails.

Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years. Her professional background includes editing positions at

The Denver Post, The Des Moines Register, The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of Dogsbestlife.com and the author of “The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”