Four Five Points Sites Cleared for Taller Mixed-Use Towers

The vacant corners and aging structures scattered across four specific blocks in Five Points are finally cleared for a major transformation. A zoning overhaul approved on February 2, 2021, strips away previous height and use restrictions, replacing them with a framework designed to accommodate significantly taller, denser mixed-use buildings.

This legislative move shifts four distinct properties from a patchwork of older industrial and residential codes to a unified set of Urban Center Mixed-Use (C-MX) zones. The change effectively removes the ceiling on development potential for addresses including 2650 Arkins Court, 3205 and 3280 Denargo Street, and 2700 Wewatta Way (ZIP 80209). Under the new designations, these sites can now host buildings reaching heights previously impossible in the area, ranging from C-MX-8 up to C-MX-20 classifications, each paired with specific Downtown Overlay (DO-7) requirements.

The shift is not merely a label change; it represents a fundamental rewrite of what can be built where. The properties previously held a mix of R-MU-30 (Residential Mixed-Use), I-A and I-B (Industrial), and a Planned Unit Development (PUD 605) status. By consolidating these into C-MX zones with overlays, the city has signaled that the corridor is no longer an industrial buffer or low-density residential pocket, but a primary urban center ready for high-density vertical growth.

The City Council's Committee approved the filing with specific conditions and waivers attached, setting the stage for developers to submit detailed architectural plans that maximize the new height limits. This alignment with broader urban center goals suggests that the next wave of construction in Five Points will prioritize density and mixed-use functionality over the single-family or light industrial uses that defined these parcels for decades.

Residents and stakeholders can review the full legislative details and track future development applications for these specific sites by visiting the Denver city portal: https://denver.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=17604.