Denver, Colorado
Whittier
Whittier is a near-northeast Denver statistical neighborhood bounded by 23rd Avenue on the south, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on the north, Downing Street on the west, and York Street on the east, per the City and County of Denver statistical neighborhood boundaries. It is a separate neighborhood from Five Points, which lies to the west, and it borders City Park West and City Park on its eastern side. Most of its housing was built between the 1880s and the 1930s, and Denver Public Library's neighborhood history collections document Whittier and adjacent Five Points as long-standing centers of Denver's Black community.
For buyers
- Much of the housing predates 1940, so sewer scopes and structural, electrical, and plumbing inspections are worth budgeting for on any specific address.
- Renovation quality is an address-level question rather than a neighborhood-level one. My read is that permit history and finish detail are the fastest way to tell restored work from cosmetic work.
- Walkability differs block by block. My read is that it is worth timing your own walk to the places you would actually use rather than relying on a score.
For sellers
- Where original architectural detail survives, documenting it clearly gives buyers something concrete to evaluate.
- Permits, contractor records, and dates for major system work reduce back and forth during inspection on older homes.
Housing styles
- Late nineteenth century Victorian and Queen Anne homes
- Denver Squares and foursquares
- Early twentieth century brick bungalows
- Later infill, duplexes, and townhomes
Nearby alternatives
- Five Points
- Cole
- City Park West
- Skyland
For metro-wide context around Whittier, see the Denver housing market overview, or browse all Denver neighborhood guides.
Frequently asked
Where is Whittier in Denver?
Whittier is in near-northeast Denver. Using the City and County of Denver statistical neighborhood boundaries, it runs from 23rd Avenue north to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and from Downing Street east to York Street.
Is Whittier the same as Five Points?
No. Whittier and Five Points are separate statistical neighborhoods with separate boundaries and separate development histories. They are adjacent, and Denver Public Library's neighborhood history guides often treat them together because both were central to Denver's Black community, but they are not interchangeable.
What is documented about Whittier's history?
Denver Public Library Special Collections documents Whittier, alongside Five Points, as a center of African American community life in Denver through much of the twentieth century. The area also includes the San Rafael Historic District, and its early brick construction reflects city ordinances adopted after the 1863 Denver fire.
The Granger Report is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Market data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be verified before making real estate decisions. Market conditions can change.