Big City, Train Boom in US

It is hard to miss the massive renovation that Union Station is currently under. It may be visibly difficult to see what is actually happening in the large pits surrounding the station, but numerous blogs and news articles will tell you that the rail depots and terminals are getting quite the upgrade. And Denver is not the only city making this momentous investment. Throughout the United States, somewhat rundown and underused rail stations are finally getting the attention they deserve. In the early 1900’s, train travel was the best, and cheapest, way to get around the country. And the train stations that housed these popular terminals were architectural gems, invoking various architectural styles and design innovations, as seen by the Los Angeles Union Station. As train travel started to decline, the design of these stations did as well, giving way to bland, and architecturally boring, buildings. A prime example is the Salt Lake City Amtrak Station, a drab box that hardly elicits a second glance. But with the resurgence of train travel, cities are starting to invest in their train stations and give these historic structures a modern finish. The New York Moynihan Station will involve the classic Penn Station and the historical post office next door, while the Washington DC Union Station will add on to the existing station. The historic Seattle King Street Station is getting a major renovation and who can forget about Denver’s own Union Station, with plans to create a new multimodal transportation hub in downtown. This new train boom is paving the way for a different way to travel around the United States, yet maintaining its historic roots.

Denver’s Up and Coming Trendy Neighborhood

It is clearly evident that the Highlands neighborhood, west of downtown, is the new up and coming neighborhood in Denver. With new condominiums and row houses springing up overnight, this area is getting a modern update. LoHi (the eastern edge of Highlands) even caught the attention of Men’s Journal, who said that “Colorado’s capital finally has its own Brooklyn.” But what truly makes this neighborhood so appealing is the accessibility to everything one might love about Denver, yet maintaining its own, unique flare. In spite of all of the new development and modern additions, LoHi still clings to its older, cultural feel. The authentic Mexican grocery stores and taquerias still flourish and co-mingle with newer restaurants, like the high-end Mexican place, Lola and the mod-retro, Root Down. Brick brownstones and sleek townhouses fuse with the aged, yet distinguished, character of the existing homes, creating an interesting and diverse climate. And one of the highlights of the area is the pedestrian bridge that directly connects the Highlands to downtown. Crossing over I-25 and connecting 16th Street on both sides, walking from either neighborhood has never been easier. With its easy accessibility, trendy, yet historic, vibe and red hot real estate market, it is no wonder that the Highlands are Denver’s “it” neighborhood.