Denver developer plans 75 apartments on Santa Fe near NWSL stadium site

Eric Weins, a local developer, has commenced site work at his 0.45-acre property located at 1298 S. Santa Fe Drive in Denver, with plans to demolish the existing structures and construct a 75-unit apartment building within approximately a year and a half.

The proposed residences will mark the first residential development in Denver's Overland neighborhood, an area currently characterized by industrial uses such as warehouses and showrooms, with an absence of housing and retail options.

Weins, founder of Weins Development Group, emphasized his strategy of pioneering development in untapped areas to avoid intense competition, stating that he aims to be the first to enter the market and exit once others follow.

He anticipates substantial future growth in the vicinity, noting plans for a women's soccer stadium two blocks north, accompanied by mixed-use developments, and the proximity of the South Platte River one block west. Weins expects city and state initiatives to improve walkability and pedestrian access along Santa Fe Drive.

The four-story apartment project at the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Louisiana Avenue has been in planning for nine years; Weins acquired the site in 2016 for $885,000 when it housed a burrito restaurant, and he previously operated a showroom in an adjacent unit. After the restaurant closed two years ago and he transitioned his showroom online, he reevaluated the property's potential, leading to the current residential focus.