Here in Denver we LOVE our abbreviated neighborhoods – LoHi is the Lower Highlands, LoDo is Lower Downtown, and so on. Well here’s one more emerging neighborhood to add to the list – River North – or as those in the know call it: RiNo.
The River North area has recently gained popularity as a distinct district developing north of downtown along the South Platte River. For decades the River North district has been isolated from the rest of the city due to its very industrial nature, but times have most definitely changed. The River North area has recently been discovered for its great mix of authentic industrial grittiness and an historic urban feel that has made it one of the city's hottest emerging districts.
RiNo is bounded by I-70 to the North, I-25 to the West, Park Avenue West to the South, and Arapahoe Street to the East. While retaining its industrial roots, the RiNo neighborhood is now prime real estate for arts and artists. The River North Art District is dedicated to promoting and supporting the people and businesses that reside in the area.
The River North district features a variety of historic properties, including the former Denargo Market, once Downtown's wholesale hub for fresh produce. The area also boasts a vibrant arts scene, as the district's varied industrial and commercial buildings make great spaces for artists to live and work and display their efforts. The Platte River bikeway and the reconstruction of the Broadway and Park Avenue West viaducts have helped reconnect the district with downtown, and River North's proximity to both Union Station and several future transit stations further ties the district to the rest of the city.
River North's transformation from an isolated industrial enclave into a thriving mixed-use district gives the city another downtown-adjacent district that offers an eclectic urban setting with its own character and charm.
