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Commercial Real Estate in Denver
Denver’s commercial real estate market is one of the most dynamic in the Mountain West. The metro has experienced significant office, industrial, and mixed-use development over the past decade, driven by population growth, corporate relocations, and a thriving startup ecosystem. Post-pandemic, Denver’s CRE market has seen some office softening (particularly in suburban corridors) while industrial and life science space remain in high demand. Here’s what Denver business owners need to know about leasing or buying commercial space.
Denver Commercial Real Estate by Neighborhood
LoDo (Lower Downtown)
Best for: Professional services, law firms, financial companies, tech companies wanting prestige addresses
Market snapshot: Denver’s historic core and most established office market. Home to major law firms, financial institutions, and the Denver headquarters of several national companies. Union Station anchors the neighborhood’s revitalization. Office rents range from $30-$55/SF NNN. Retail and restaurant space along 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square remains highly competitive.
RiNo (River North Art District)
Best for: Tech startups, creative agencies, coworking operators, food and beverage
Market snapshot: Denver’s fastest-evolving neighborhood. Former industrial warehouses converted to creative offices, galleries, breweries, and restaurants. Rental rates have risen dramatically — expect $25-$45/SF NNN for creative office space. New mixed-use development continuing. Strong demand for restaurant and food hall space along Brighton Blvd and Larimer Street.
Cherry Creek
Best for: Luxury retail, medical offices, financial advisors, high-end professional services
Market snapshot: Denver’s premier retail and upscale business corridor. Cherry Creek Shopping District and Cherry Creek North attract affluent consumers and businesses. Office rents $35-$60/SF NNN for premium Class A space. Retail space along East 2nd Ave and Milwaukee St commands premium rates with waitlists for desirable storefront positions.
Denver Tech Center (DTC)
Best for: Corporate campuses, large office users, financial services, technology companies
Market snapshot: Denver’s primary suburban office market along the I-25 corridor in Greenwood Village/Englewood. Historically home to corporate headquarters and back-office operations. Higher vacancy rates since 2020 remote work shift creating favorable lease terms for tenants. Class A office rents $28-$42/SF NNN. Excellent highway access and parking ratios.
Platte/LoHi (Lower Highlands)
Best for: Tech companies, creative offices, restaurants, boutique retail
Market snapshot: Walkable mixed-use neighborhood along the South Platte River with excellent visibility and transit access. Strong restaurant and retail market. Creative office space converting from Victorian-era industrial buildings. Good alternative to RiNo for businesses seeking character space without the highest RiNo rents.
Midtown/Central Denver
Best for: Medical offices, education, community services, mid-size office users
Market snapshot: Established neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, Uptown, and Congress Park. Strong medical office market near Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and other healthcare systems. Lower rents than downtown core for comparable Class B office space.
Denver Industrial Real Estate
Denver’s industrial market has been one of the strongest sectors in Colorado CRE. E-commerce fulfillment, food manufacturing, cannabis production, and aerospace manufacturing drive consistent demand. Key industrial submarkets include:
- Airport/Stapleton: Large logistics and distribution facilities near DEN
- Globeville/Elyria-Swansea: Older industrial with redevelopment pressure and OZ incentives
- Central Denver: Light industrial and flex space in converted warehouse buildings
- Brighton/Commerce City: Newer industrial parks with larger floor plates
- Aurora/Gateway: Growing industrial corridor near DEN with newer Class A logistics space
Industrial rents range from $12-$20/SF NNN for Class B/C space and $18-$30/SF for new Class A product.
Key Denver CRE Brokers and Resources
CBRE Denver
One of the most active CRE brokerages in the Denver metro. Strong in office, industrial, retail, and investment sales. Team includes specialists for nearly every Denver submarket and property type.
JLL Denver
Full-service CRE brokerage with active tenant representation, landlord representation, and capital markets in Denver. Strong technology and corporate services practice in the Denver market.
Cushman & Wakefield Denver
Major national firm with strong Denver presence. Particularly active in the DTC and suburban office markets and in large-scale industrial transactions in the Denver metro.
Newmark Denver
Growing CRE platform in Denver. Specializes in office, industrial, and investment sales. Competitive for mid-market and tenant representation transactions.
NAI Shames Makovsky
Independent Denver CRE firm with deep local roots. Strong in retail, office, and investment sales for mid-market Denver businesses. Good option for businesses that want a locally-owned broker over a national firm.
Denver Commercial Lease Tips for Business Owners
- Hire a tenant rep broker: Tenant representation brokers are paid by the landlord — it costs you nothing and gives you professional negotiating leverage
- Understand NNN leases: Most Denver commercial leases are triple net — you pay base rent plus your share of property taxes, insurance, and operating expenses
- Negotiate TI allowances: Tenant Improvement allowances are negotiable, especially in markets with higher vacancy. Denver DTC and suburban office markets currently offer generous TI packages
- Review zoning: Denver’s zoning code governs what uses are permitted in each district. Confirm your use is allowed before signing a lease — particularly relevant for food, cannabis, childcare, and specialty retail
- Personal guarantees: Most Denver landlords require personal guarantees from business owners. Negotiate the duration and consider alternatives like security deposits or letters of credit
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