An affordable housing development operated by the Denver Housing Authority is among Denver’s “Best of the Best” and received the community impact award from the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). 

Sun Valley’s Thrive Apartments were one of two DHA developments being considered for the award. The 135-unit complex bills itself as a community built for families of all sizes, offering three-bedroom townhomes and four- and five-bedroom units. 

“We are thrilled to see DHA has been recognized for its dedication to creating vibrant and inclusive communities in Denver,” Joshua Crawley, the interim chief executive officer of DHA said in a news release. “Our team works tirelessly to provide quality affordable housing for all, and this award is a true testament to the impact we are making.” 

The award recognizes “a project that made a significant impact on the community.” 

“Judges evaluated the significance of the short-term and projected long-term impacts on the surrounding community’s jobs, social benefits, and environmental and physical amenities,” according to the NAIOP Colorado website. 

The Thrive Apartments project cost just under $61 million to build, according to a DHA slideshow. Leasing began in December of 2022 with 30 of the 135 units available at market rates. Forty-three of Thrive’s units are classified as “workforce housing,” and are income restricted to residents making 60-80% of the area median income. 

Similarly, Greenhaus — Denver’s runner up — cost just over $58 million to build and started leasing in January of last year, according to DHA’s project website. Of the available 129 units, 50 are market rate. Twenty-six units are income restricted at 40-60% AMI. GreenHaus is located at 2797 W. 13th Ave.

Greenhaus and Thrive are part of the second phase in DHA’s Sun Valley Redevelopment — a $240 million investment over five years, according to previous reports. Phase one consisted of the construction of Gateway North and South, both feature more than 90 units of housing. Also part of phase one was Gateway Home Ownership, a project of six townhomes, three of which are income restricted at 80% AMI. 

The third phase includes developments known as Sol and Joli, where plans call for 297 units. Additionally, DHA has identified those two developments as food and business incubators, that is a meeting and resource center for prospective entrepreneurs. Phase three officially began in November 2023. 

“We’re proud to celebrate the transformational revitalization underway in Sun Valley, providing housing stability and economic opportunity for current and future generations,” Mayor Mike Johnston said at the time. “All Denverites deserve to live in the city they serve with attainable, affordable housing, and this game-changing effort is delivering the type of innovative, mixed-income community where everyone can thrive.”

Housing affordability became a hot ticket item during the Denver Mayor’s race last year. Johnston campaigned on a goal of building 25,000 permanently affordable housing units within eight years.

The Sun Valley neighborhood is part of Councilwoman Jamie Torres’ District 3. The success and scale of the project is a testament to the power mixed income housing development has, she said, adding she’s excited for the community that can sprout as a result. 

“This project isn’t just for our lowest income residents, it isn’t just for luxury development, it really is for a variety of families across the spectrum showing how you can really build a community,” she said. “This will be home to people who are returning to Sun Valley and those who are moving to Sun Valley for the first time.” 

NAIOP Colorado is a commercial real estate development association.