LoDo, Denver facts for kids
LoDo stands for Lower Downtown. It's a well-known neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. It's one of the oldest parts of the city where people first settled. LoDo is a lively area with a mix of homes and businesses, famous for its fun nightlife. It's also a great example of how a city area can be successfully rebuilt and made new again. About 21,145 people live there today.
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History of LoDo
Before Europeans arrived, Native American tribes, especially the Arapaho people, set up camps along the South Platte River. These camps were near or right in what is now LoDo.
In 1858, people discovered gold in the river. General William Larimer Jr. then founded Denver. He marked out a square mile plot that became the heart of the LoDo neighborhood. This makes LoDo both the original city of Denver and its oldest area. Back then, just like today, LoDo was a busy and exciting place known for its many saloons. During a difficult time known as the Sand Creek massacre, the Arapaho people faced great challenges here.
As Denver grew, city leaders realized they needed a railroad. This was important to keep Denver strong, especially when the transcontinental railroad chose to go through Cheyenne, Wyoming instead of Denver. In 1870, after much effort from town leaders, people voted for bonds to build a 106-mile (171 km) rail line from Cheyenne. This and other train lines ended up in the Central Platte Valley, right next to LoDo. Union Station became the main entry point for most travelers coming into the city. LoDo was often the first part of Denver they would see. This area also became Denver's Chinatown from the 1870s to the 1880s, but it later changed.
By the middle of the 1900s, what was once a busy business area had become run down. As highways and airports became more popular for travel, the importance of Union Station, LoDo's most famous building, decreased.
The Lower Downtown Historic District, or LoDo, was officially created in March 1988. This was done to help save historic buildings and to make Denver's founding neighborhood lively again. At that time, LoDo still had many important historic buildings and a lot of architectural value.
During this period, the neighborhood began to come back to life. New businesses opened, like the Wynkoop Brewery. This brewery was started by John Hickenlooper, who later became Denver's mayor and Colorado's governor. Slowly, LoDo became a popular place to visit. By the time Coors Field opened near LoDo in 1995, the area was fully revitalized. It became a cool new neighborhood filled with clubs, restaurants, art galleries, shops, bars, and other businesses. Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center), located on the other side of the neighborhood, opened in 2000. This made LoDo even more popular for sports fans. New homes were also built in LoDo, turning old warehouses into expensive new apartments called lofts.
Geography of LoDo
The official historic district, which has special building rules (B-7 zoned), is generally bordered by:
- Cherry Creek/Speer Boulevard
- Wewatta Street (but not including Union Station itself)
- 20th Street
- The alley between Market and Larimer Streets
When people talk about the larger LoDo area, they often include nearby neighborhoods. These areas are not part of the official historic district but are influenced by LoDo. This unofficial larger area includes Larimer Square, the Auraria Campus, Riverfront Park, the Central Platte Valley, the Prospect district, River North, and the Ballpark neighborhoods.
LoDo is located in north-central Denver. It is just northwest of the downtown CBD. It's also near where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet.
Economy in LoDo
Land in the Lower Downtown Historic District has special zoning rules called B-7. These rules limit building heights and encourage a mix of different types of buildings, like homes and shops. They also have strict rules for fixing up old buildings and building new ones. All new projects must go through a design review. This helps LoDo keep its friendly, walkable feel and its historic look as more buildings are added.
In May 2016, the average cost of a home in LoDo was about $701,286.
Oxford Hotel
The Oxford Hotel was built in 1891. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historic site. The Cruise Room is a bar inside the hotel with a cool art deco style. It operated in a special way during a time when certain drinks were not allowed.
Wynkoop Brewing Company
The Wynkoop Brewing Company is a brewpub (a place that brews its own beer and serves food). It was started in 1988 by John Hickenlooper, who later became Colorado's 42nd Governor. He started it with partners Russell Schehrer, Mark Schiffler, and Jerry Williams. The Wynkoop also has a large billiards hall on its top floor.
Arts and Culture in LoDo
In the summer of 2006, LoDo was home to the cast members of MTV's popular reality show The Real World. This was for season 18, titled The Real World: Denver. Several movies have also been filmed in LoDo, either partly or entirely. One example is the Eddie Murphy film Imagine That (2009). LoDo is a great place for filming TV shows and movies. It has a mix of modern and historic buildings, beautiful mountain views, and access to Cherry Creek and nearby parks. Plus, it's close to two major sports venues.
The more than 70 bars and restaurants in the historic district help the city's economy.
Community in LoDo
The LoDo District, Inc. is a non-profit group that represents both the people living in LoDo and the businesses there. It acts like a local chamber of commerce, a visitors bureau, and a group that helps promote and support the neighborhood. The Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association is another non-profit group. It focuses on making sure people have good living conditions in the mixed-use area of Lower Downtown.
Because there are so many bars and clubs in the area, LoDo is also a popular spot for Denver's nightlife.
Attractions in LoDo
