The Denver City Council is weighing a rezoning proposal that could bring up to 1,500 new housing units to the Shops at Northfield in the Central Park neighborhood, potentially reshaping the area into a compact, walkable community aligned with the “15-minute city” urban planning concept.
The proposed redevelopment focuses on a 16-acre parcel on the northeast side of the mall, currently dominated by parking lots and one retailer, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse. Stockdale Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm based in Los Angeles, submitted the rezoning request to permit a mixed-use development comprising residential and retail spaces.
According to the proposal, the new development would include townhomes rising up to five stories and residential buildings with ground-floor commercial space reaching up to eight stories. A minimum of 10 percent of the residential units would be income-restricted, set aside for households earning 60 percent of the area median income.
Supporters of the rezoning argue the project would revitalize a struggling retail center that currently hosts anchor stores such as Bass Pro Shops and Target. They see the development as a means of boosting foot traffic and bringing new economic vitality to the area without placing undue strain on existing infrastructure.
“Allowing these apartments to go in will generate residents who are walking distance to the shops in the neighborhood and allow for more vibrant economic activity in the area while not burdening existing infrastructure,” one public comment stated.
Public feedback, however, remains mixed. Of 45 people who submitted comments, 24 supported the rezoning while 21 voiced opposition. Detractors expressed concerns about increased traffic congestion and questioned whether the neighborhood’s roadways could handle a surge in population.
“While I appreciate the need for more affordable housing in Denver, the infrastructure on the streets for traffic here was not designed for this many people,” one opponent wrote. “It is already too difficult to get in and out of this neighborhood during morning or afternoon rush hour.”
District 8 Councilmember Shontel Lewis, who represents the area, noted that many residents have long requested the addition of a grocery store. Developers indicated that negotiations are underway with a potential grocer, though specifics remain confidential due to a non-disclosure agreement.
“It has come up frequently, and I can say the applicant couldn’t be here, but they are in discussions,” said Cory Rutz, an attorney representing the developer.
Denver’s Planning Board and the Community Planning and Development department have both recommended approval of the rezoning, citing its alignment with long-term neighborhood plans and the city’s growing housing needs.
A public hearing before the full City Council is scheduled for June 23, after which the council will vote on whether to grant final approval.