Belcaro

Belcaro Park is one of Denver’s most beautiful and sought after areas due to its proximity to Cherry Creek North, Washington Park, and walking-distance amenties. It is located just East of the Bonnie Brae neighborhood, and is bordered by Exposition Avenue (North), Mississippi Avenue (South), Colorado Boulevard (East) and Steele Street (West).

Developed in the 1940s, by Garrett-Bromfied, it is distinguished by its park-like setting. At the time, the plan provided for expansive yards with mountain views. Currently there is a mix of late-40s to mid-50s ranches along with new homes which have replaced some of the original homes. In order to preserve this unique and special place, subdividing the unusually large lots is prohibited. Tall spruce trees, along with many other magnificent specimens, create an expansive tree canopy in this unique enclave comprised of 193 homes, and along with the lush and mature landscaping and gardens create appealing streetscapes and offer homeowners privacy and enjoyment.

Belcaro Park has continued to be a very desirable place to live due in part to the foresight of the original developers, who established covenant restrictions for the neighborhood that have allowed property values to increase and the beauty of the neighborhood to endure. Large lots, expansive front yards and generous setbacks are some of the neighborhood’s unique characteristics.

The Phipps Mansion and tennis pavilion were built between 1931 and 1933 by former U.S. Senator and Mrs. Lawrence C. Phipps. The Georgian-style mansion, designed by architects Fisher and Fisher, has 33,123 square feet of floor space, which includes 14 rooms on the first floor and seven bedrooms with dressing rooms, suites and baths and a sitting room on the second floor. The tennis pavilion is believed to be the first indoor tennis facility west of the Mississippi River.
In 1960, Mrs. Phipps donated the tennis pavilion to the University of Denver; the mansion was later donated in 1964. The estate served for many years as a conference center and was used for corporate, private and philanthropic events. In 1997, the mansion hosted world leaders in town to attend the Summit of the Eight. In 2010, the Phipps Mansion was sold by the University of Denver and the estate is now a private residence.