362-unit apartment complex under way in southeast Denver

In about 15 months, young professionals looking for a fun place to live in southeast Denver can think about moving into Veranda Highpointe, a mixed-use apartment building near Hampden Avenue and Interstate 25.

The 362-unit building at 6343 Girard Place is targeting Gen Yers who want all the bells and whistles the community has to offer. The west face of the building, which features a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, has fantastic views of the Front Range, says John Binder, principal at the Ballpark architecture firm Kephart, which designed the project.

The building’s amenities will include a rooftop deck with outdoor kitchen and gathering places; an indoor half-court basketball; and a lazy river in the landscaped courtyard that will let residents float in an innertube through a meandering stream.

“When you walk in the front door, it’s going to be pretty dramatic,” Binder says. “The lobby overlooks this courtyard.”

This is the third project Kephart has designed for Denver-based Forum Real Estate Group, which recently opened a new apartment building at Sixth Avenue and Logan Street.

“What’s cool is having clients that are willing to think out of the box,” Binder says. “There are a lot of apartments coming online, and they will have to separate themselves from everybody else.”

Just minutes away from downtown, Cherry Creek and the Denver Tech Center, the community offers easy access to freeways and the light rail system. The development also includes 41,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.