Ashley Union Station is the first and only truly mixed-income property in Denver’s Union Station development. While the neighborhood has received national attention as an example of a thriving, transit-oriented community, it offered no affordable housing options. In many cases, higher rent meant that the people who work in the new restaurants, boutiques, and grocery stores in this highly desirable area could not afford to live where they worked.

Ashley Union Station provides low-income individuals and families with accessibility to this rapidly growing, high-end neighborhood and helps maintain Denver’s diversity amid growth and gentrification. But it does more than check the box of affordable homes: it is a high-quality development that enhances the character of the neighborhood and provides opportunities for people with a mix of incomes to share the experience of being neighbors. It has created a true community, the positive ripple effects of which will be felt for decades to come.

The community’s support for and recognition of the need for affordable housing was key in the successful development, despite Denver’s market barriers. This project is the result of a collaborative effort between public and private organizations.

Integrating Ashley Union Station into the neighborhood required thoughtful design since the building sits on an especially long block. It was important to the activation of the street level that the design broke up the look of the 400-foot-long (122 m) building. Contemporary dynamic and contextual brick detailing along with a large glass window wall at the center of the building provide visual interest and lighten the feel of the building. Each corner is anchored solidly with darker brick masonry while the body of the structure flows along the streetscape, which is meticulously landscaped to contribute to a more vibrant presence. Eight ground-floor units with street entrances and private porches further break up the long mass, stimulate street activity, and encourage neighborhood interaction.

Ashley Union Station provides amenities that residents would find in a higher-end complex: an expansive xeriscaped rooftop deck, beautiful light-filled common areas, built-in barbecues, views of Coors Field, a dedicated exercise facility, a yoga room, and more. But the biggest indicator of its success is its overwhelming support and praise from residents and the Denver community; residents continually praise the development for its strong sense of community. In this way, Ashley Union Station is helping change the perception of affordable housing in Denver.

Location: Denver, Colorado
Developer: The Integral Group
Partners: Stantec, I-Kota Construction, City and County of Denver, Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Colorado Division of Housing, Enterprise Community Partners, and Barings Multifamily Capital