January 20, 2025
If you’re thinking that the “Platt” in south Denver’s Platt Park neighborhood should have an “e” on the end, as in Platte River, you’d be wrong—or maybe you wouldn’t.
That’s because the neighborhood might have been named after Colonel James H. Platt, the founder of the Platt Paper Company, or else somewhere down the line the “e” was dropped by mistake.
No matter, Platt Park is an appealing little neighborhood with an architectural mix of classic Tudor-style homes, bungalows and modern remodels along with block of unique shops and restaurants on the well-known-and-loved South Pearl Street and a hidden-gem of a park that was named after Col. Platt.
Platt Park is bounded by Broadway to the west, Downing Street to the east, Mississippi Avenue to the north and Evans Avenue to the south. With I-25 cutting across its northeast corner, residents have quick access to other parts of the city.
The neighborhood began as part of the short-lived Town of South Denver in the late 1800s, which was formed to prevent the spread of road houses and saloons into the residential area. Before the town was annexed by the City of Denver in 1894, James Fleming, a Pennsylvania oilman who thought he’d try his luck at mining and real estate in Colorado, was its only mayor. Fleming’s beautiful stone mansion at Florida Avenue and South Grant Street was designated an historic landmark in 2009 and is available for event rental through Denver Parks and Recreation.
Don’t let all this history fool you into thinking Platt Park might be a little staid. Laid back, yes, boring no.
Today the neighborhood is a lively community rated A and ranked in Denver’s top 20 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Denver by Niche.com. It also ranks 16th Best for raising a family. While there are only a private preschool/kindergarten and a Denver Public Schools middle school within the community’s boundaries, there are several public and religious schools close by.
Its population of almost 6,700 comprise a tight-knit community that includes families, young professionals, older residents and a sprinkling of students from the nearby University of Denver. Its Platt Park People’s Association is dedicated to fostering the community spirit through events ranging from a plant swap to free movie nights in Platt Park to neighborhood happy hours.
South Pearl Street is a great place to eat, with restaurants like the Duffeyroll Café Bakery, Kaos Pizzeria, Lincoln’s Roadhouse, Sushi Den and a bunch of eateries all scattered along the 1200 to 1500 blocks of South Pearl. Stella’s Coffee Haus is a local favorite.
Shopping on South Pearl is a delight, too. Books, jewelry, clothing boutiques and more.
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