Castle Rock: Live, Work and Play in One Place

Mixed-use developments in Castle Rock are creating walkable communities that combine the best of urban and suburban living.

By Bill Lewis on September 20, 2023

Confluence Companies

Mixed-use developments in Castle Rock, CO, combine the best of urban and suburban lifestyles to create walkable communities where residents can find housing, office space and entertainment all in the same place.

In downtown Castle Rock, new mixed-use apartment communities include Riverwalk Luxe and The View, which are designed so residents can go to the office, grab a bite at their choice of restaurants or swing by the gym – all without having to drive a car.

In the city’s northwest corner, The Meadows neighborhood combines single-family and multifamily living with traditional and medical offices, green spaces and other recreational amenities.

Demand Grows in Castle Rock

Demand is growing for developments like Riverwalk Luxe, says Tony DeSimone, principal of Confluence Cos., the community’s developer.

“I think this product type is so popular because it gives residents and visitors the walkability that is typically lacking in the suburban market. Most suburban residential communities are automobile-centric, causing residents to have to drive to commercial centers,” DeSimone says. “The benefit of a vertical mixed-use project is it allows residents to walk to restaurants, retail and office spaces.

“Riverwalk Luxe has all three of those components, adding additional commercial space to the already 80,000 square feet of commercial space we’ve delivered in downtown Castle Rock,” DeSimone adds. 

Driving Success

Colorado-based Confluence Cos. also developed the Riverwalk and Encore mixed-use developments. Those kinds of projects create a vibrant downtown, says Frank Gray, president and CEO of the Castle Rock Economic Development Council (EDC).

“Castle Rock EDC is always looking to attract the highest and best use of the property in our community. We want to create places our citizens want to spend time around – craft restaurants, great niche retail, and places to gather with friends and family,” Gray says.

“Developments in downtown require people and a variety of housing options to support the businesses downtown, so projects like Encore, Riverwalk and Riverwalk Luxe drive the success of all the cool restaurants and shops that everyone loves.”  

CT Design

Also located in downtown, The View is a $70 million resort-style project that will include 221 apartments, more than 14,000 square feet of office space and roughly 5,000 square feet of retail space.

Other luxury amenities of the mixed-use project include a dog park, a lap pool, a gym and golf simulators. In the parking garage, 100 spaces will be dedicated to public use. Castle Rock View Investors is the ownership group of The View development.

“It’s exciting to see an active and vibrant downtown come to life. Not more than a handful of years ago, it was a struggle to keep the doors open for many of our historic downtown businesses,” Gray says.

Attracting Investment in Castle Rock

“In all of our commercial spaces in downtown Castle Rock, we’ve been able to partner with great local companies to establish their footprint there. I believe the authenticity of only working with local groups is what has helped keep the charm of downtown Castle Rock,” DeSimone says.

As part of the Riverwalk Luxe project, the developer has already sold the restaurant spaces for Bourbon Bayou, a burger and bourbon restaurant, and for a ramen restaurant.

“All of the level-two office space has been sold to an office tenant as well, so it’s been great to see the high demand that these spaces have had in the market,” DeSimone says.

Other significant developments are underway, Gray notes. “When we are talking about exciting new developments, I think you have to mention the ACME Brick Factory redevelopment (The Brickyard) at the top of the list with Dawson Trails. They are both amazing projects with lots of public infrastructure and community amenities. The Meadows Town Center, downtown Castle Rock and Millers Landing are all projects that get me excited about the future of Castle Rock,” he says.

“Clearly, the growth and investment that has been occurring in Castle Rock are attractors, but our school district, open space, historic downtown, Philip S. Miller Park and other community amenities all make Castle Rock a special place.”