Belcaro

Belcaro sits between Washington Park and Cherry Creek in central Denver. It runs from Cherry Creek south to Mississippi Avenue, with University Boulevard on the west and Colorado Boulevard on the east. Washington Park is across University, and Glendale starts on the far side of Colorado. Bonnie Brae, the subdivision along University on the west side, sits inside that line and has its own page.

A senator's house on the hill

The neighborhood is named after a house. Lawrence C. Phipps made his money at Carnegie Steel, moved to Denver in 1901 and represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate from 1919 to 1931. He and his wife, Margaret, built Belcaro (Italian for "dear one") from 1931 to 1933, partly to give people work during the Depression. Denver's Fisher and Fisher designed it in the Georgian style, about 33,000 square feet with more than 70 rooms, two of them shipped over from England.

The estate at 3400 Belcaro Drive covers about 11 acres, with a greenhouse, gardens and a separate tennis house, and it went on the National Register in 1975. It sits on the neighborhood's high point, and Kentucky Avenue loops around the grounds. The family gave it to the University of Denver, which sold it in 2010. It's a private home again, so you see it from the street. Phipps's Belcaro Realty and Investment Company developed much of the land around it.

Ranches, custom builds and the Polo Grounds

Most of Belcaro is large ranch houses on large lots, set along streets shaded by old trees. Newer custom builds are scattered among them, and the houses get noticeably bigger once you cross Steele Street heading east. If you want one-level living without giving up a real yard, the original ranches here are a good place to start.

In the northern part of the neighborhood, the Polo Grounds is a large gated enclave of houses. If a house you like is inside the gates, ask what rules and fees come with it before you write an offer.

The old King Soopers site on Colorado Boulevard

For more than 50 years, a King Soopers at 825 S. Colorado Blvd. anchored the Belcaro Shopping Center at Exposition Avenue. It closed on June 2, 2026, and a new 103,000-square-foot King Soopers opened the next day at 4201 E. Arkansas Ave., south of Mississippi.

Kentro Group and Embrey plan to knock down the center and build a four-story apartment building with about 350 units. Their first proposal, several towers and about 700 units, drew pushback from nearby residents, and the rezoning request was withdrawn. The current plan stays within the existing zoning with a 55-foot height cap. The concept plan has been approved, and site development review comes next. A separate retail building is also planned, with a Dardano's store of about 18,000 square feet. If you're shopping for a house near Colorado and Exposition, plan on demolition and construction down the block.

The creek trail and University Boulevard

The Cherry Creek Trail runs along Belcaro's northern edge. It covers about 40 miles, from downtown Denver out to Franktown.

Belcaro itself is mostly houses, so the nearest dinner is in the Bonnie Brae shops on University. Ni Tuyo, at 730 S. University, opened in 2022 and is known for its molcajetes: volcanic-rock bowls of meat and vegetables bubbling in chile sauce. Next door, Katherine's French Bakery does pastries, crêpes and sandwiches, and down the block Bonnie Brae Ice Cream has scooped house-made flavors since 1986. Campus Lounge, at 701 S. University, is a longtime sports bar that serves brunch every day.

Getting around

University Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard frame the neighborhood on the west and east. RTD's Route 24 runs along University.