Skip to content
Liz Poladsky

Denver · Community guide

The Highlands

Highland Square on 32nd Avenue, Victorian blocks, brick bungalows and a decade of new construction. The northwest Denver neighborhood that set the template.

Ask Liz about The Highlands
Location
Northwest Denver, 38th to Speer/I-25, Federal to Zuni
Main street
32nd Ave (Highland Square)
Housing
Victorians, bungalows, new duplexes
To downtown
Walkable/bikeable; ~7 min drive

The Highlands, briefly

The Highlands is the northwest Denver neighborhood that proved historic housing and modern restaurants could share a block. Highland Square, along 32nd Avenue around Lowell, is the main street — restaurants, coffee, a bookstore, boutiques, ice cream. Around it are the Potter Highlands historic district’s Victorians and Queen Annes, blocks of brick bungalows, and a great deal of new construction from the past 15 years.

Housing

Three tiers. Historic homes — Victorians, Queen Annes, Denver Squares — in Potter Highlands and scattered throughout, many meticulously restored. Early-1900s bungalows and brick cottages on the residential blocks. And new duplexes, townhomes and single-family rebuilds, especially south and east toward LoHi. Design-review rules apply inside the historic district.

Lifestyle

Highland Square for daily life; LoHi’s restaurant scene a short walk southeast; the Highland pedestrian bridge to downtown for a 15-minute walk to Union Station. Sloan’s Lake is 10 minutes west by bike. I-25 and I-70 are close for the airport and mountains.

What buyers should know

Historic-district rules matter for exterior changes. New-build quality varies; check permits and construction details. Parking is tighter near 32nd. And the difference between a block in Potter Highlands and a block near Federal is real — walk both.

What sellers should know

Highlands buyers are choosing lifestyle first and comparing you to nearby sales within a few blocks. Restored character sells; so does thoughtful modern design. Pricing must reflect which you have.

Nearby

LoHi, West Highland, Sloan’s Lake, Sunnyside and Berkeley.

The Highlands FAQs

What’s the difference between the Highlands, LoHi and West Highland?

“The Highlands” is the historic neighborhood around 32nd Avenue and Highland Square, including the Potter Highlands historic district. LoHi (Lower Highland) is the denser, newer, restaurant-heavy area closest to downtown along the I-25/Speer edge. West Highland is the quieter, more residential neighborhood west of Federal toward Sloan’s Lake and Tennyson.

Is the Highlands expensive?

It’s one of Denver’s pricier neighborhoods, especially for renovated Victorians and new construction near Highland Square. Bungalows on quieter blocks and condos offer a broader range.

Nearby guides

LoHi

Lower Highland — Denver’s densest restaurant scene, rooftop views of downtown, and a housing mix of new condos, townhomes and the Victorians that were here first.

West Highland

Quieter than the Highlands, greener than LoHi — bungalow blocks between Federal and Sheridan with Tennyson and Sloan’s Lake at the edges.

Sloan’s Lake

Denver’s biggest lake, a 2.6-mile loop with mountain and skyline views, and a neighborhood that has rebuilt itself around it. I’ve sold here — it’s one of my favorite parts of the city.

Sunnyside

Northwest Denver’s next chapter — a mix of old-Denver bungalows, warehouses turned restaurants, new townhomes and a 41st & Fox rail station. Still evolving, and priced accordingly.

Talk to a local

Buying or selling in the Highlands? Let’s talk.

I know the difference between a Potter Highlands Victorian and a 32nd Avenue new build — and how each should be priced.

Or call/text 303-359-6365. No spam, ever.

Call Text Email