I know Denver! I started selling real estate in 1988, when Denver was much smaller and just beginning a major growth cycle. Up to that point, Denver had remained fairly consistent in its growth and had retained most of the older styling of the "modern" era of home design. Then in the mid 80's home designs started to change through out the area with the beginning of Highlands Ranch.

New designs, and community layouts featuring a full slate of community amenities, started popping up everywhere. Mission Viejo, the inspiration and developer of Highlands Ranch, brought an entirely new concept to the market. Their communities featured innovative styling within their home designs, family recreation centers, walking trails, community parks and easy access to everything, including shopping.

In fact, it seemed like a competition was created between the builders to see who could offer more features in their communities. Piney Creek, Castle Pines and Castle Pines North, The Valley, and others started offering homes with features like vaulted ceilings, massive brick fireplaces, natural stone, country kitchens with breakfast nooks, impressive master bedroom suites with retreats, large bathrooms and fireplaces, and more. The small boxy designs were gone.

Today, we see the trend has moved to efficiency of design and the focus on family. Many homes feature have integrated home entertainment areas with media rooms, recreation areas, and room for the home office concept of today's work place. Most new designs have taken advantage of the latest energy efficient construction techniques and many have made allowances for future technologies like solar electric to be added.

Denver has come a long way, and I look forward to being a part of the future of this great city.

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Denver Skyline picture printed with permission from Digital Magic Productions, Inc.