aRia CohouSinG CoMMunity oVeRVieW

ARIA COHOUSING
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
Located eight minutes north of downtown Denver within the
Chaffee Park neighborhood, Aria Denver is a 17.5 acre transitoriented, mixed-use, mixed-income development. Aria
Denver is designed for urban-minded people who share a
vision for being part of a close-knit community.
Aria Denver, in partnership with Regis University and the
surrounding neighborhoods, has created the Cultivate Health
Project to support the health and wellness of the entire
community. This project, which is funded by the Colorado
Health Foundation, will create infrastructure and
programming that encourage an active lifestyle, increase
access to healthy food and offer integrated health services.
The project will bring a one-acre production garden at Aria
Denver, improvements to pedestrian and bicycle routes in the
neighborhood, new adult exercise zones at Aria and Zuni Park
and many more exciting projects in the Regis and Chaffee
Park neighborhoods.
Updated April 1, 2015
Federal Blvd
The Aria Cohousing Community is built on an authentic
commitment to one another and to the community beyond.
Cohousing is a type of intentional, collaborative housing in
which residents actively participate in the design and
operation of their community. The current Aria Cohousing
members share a common commitment to living in a healthy,
sustainable community. The former Marycrest convent at the
heart of the larger Aria Denver will be redeveloped into a 28unit inter-generational cohousing community.
Regis
University
ARIA
W 52nd Ave
From 52nd Avenue, enter the drive between
Eliot and Elm Court.
For more information, please contact:
Cassie Wright
Project Manager
Urban Ventures, LLC
1600 Wynkoop St Ste 200
Denver 80202
P: 303.446.0761
[email protected]
www.ariacohousingcommunity.org
ARIA COHOUSING
COMMUNITY FACTS
THE PEOPLE
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The Aria cohousing community is still in formation. Currently, fourteen households are committed to this intergenerational project, from ages 1 to 78. They vary in their backgrounds and interests, but all have a common
commitment to living in a healthy, sustainable community.
Aria cohousers are already getting involved with the Aria Denver and Chaffee Park communities. They actively
participate in events tied to the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program and Aria Denver activities.
Please join our group! We are actively recruiting more members.
THE PROCESS
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Aria cohousers are taking a different approach to building their community. To expedite the design and building
process, a local real estate development company, Urban Ventures, is creating a modified, innovative approach to
developing this cohousing community. For now, we’re calling this process “Cohousing 2.0.”
o The process is similar to a traditional cohousing process in that the people involved are coming together,
spending time sharing ideas and getting to know each other and participate with Urban Ventures in the
design and renovation.
o It is also similar in that the cohousing group will provide input during the design process and, specifically, will
guide the design of the common spaces in the convent building.
o The process is different in that the design and construction timeline will be expedited and will be led by
Urban Ventures.
Architecture PML was selected in November 2014 and design work is underway. The goal is to begin construction of
the project in January 2016. A completion date of fourth quarter 2016 is anticipated.
With cohousers’ input, architecture PML has completed schematic designs for the convent, which shows unit and
common area plans. Design will continue to evolve as the process continues.
THE PLACE
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Aria Denver is located on land formerly owned by the Sisters of St. Francis, a group of spiritual women, whose
leadership came to Denver in 1938 looking for a place to establish their western province. They found the Winslow
estate in north Denver which included a twelve room house on 20 acres with a chicken coop, garden and an orchard
producing cherries, grapes, apples, peaches and corn.
Over the years, they built the current convent and operated there until 2009, when they moved to a smaller 8 unit
complex on the northeast corner of the site.
The former convent building (35,000 square feet) at the center of the campus will be converted to Aria Cohousing.
NEXT STEPS
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Architecture PML is developing more detailed designs for the convent. The development team will involve a general
contractor in May to determine construction pricing. After, sales prices will be set for the individual units.
The committed cohousing members have reserved their preferred units. The group meets regularly to share ideas
and vision for governance of the community.
Aria Cohousing Community is actively recruiting members. Contact Cassie Wright at [email protected] for
information on how to join.
Updated April 1, 2015