Platt Park is almost an extension of Washington Park. It lies just south of Washington Park on the other side of I-25 and to the west of the DU area. In the last few years, Platt Park has become well known for its pleasant shopping atmosphere & fine restaurants on Old South Pearl Street including Sushi Den, Pearl Street Grill and Lola. The neighborhood is rich with sprawling mature tress, bungalows & Victorians and pop tops. In recent years we have seen some scraper homes being replaced with new construction homes and duplexes.

The Platt Park neighborhood takes its name from the 4.4 acre park in the center of the community. The park was named in honor of James H. Platt, founder of the Platt Paper Company and another early South Denver leader. The neighborhood itself was named in the late 1860s as “Platte Park,” with an “e.” It is unclear whether the neighborhood was supposed to be named after Colonel Platt, like the park was, and the neighborhood name was misspelled, or whether the name for the neighborhood actually came from the South Platte River (spelled with an “e”). The current practice is to follow the spelling used for the park, Platt Park.

Gates Rubber Company at I-15 & Broadway was one of Denver’s premier manufacturing companies. Bought in 1911 by Charles Gates, Sr., as the original leather and tire company, it was also one of the major employers in Denver at the time. Gates has since then relocated Downtown and have sold 50 acres on the west side of Broadway to Cherokee Denver Company and the remaining 30 acres on the east side of Broadway to Lionstone Urban Investments One LP . This site will now be redeveloped into a mixed-use neighborhood of single and multifamily residences, and a variety of office structures. They are currently in the process of rezoning this former Gates campus.

A major grouping of antique shops, sometimes called “Antique Row,” in the 1300-1600 blocks of South Broadway is known throughout the region. Many of the stores are cooperatives and approximately 400 dealers share space in a few dozen buildings along South Broadway. Many of the antique store owners have renovated their shops and the area is more attractive as a result. Some business owners are unable or unwilling to invest in renovation of their structures, so renovated shops are mixed in with some unattractive stores, used car lots, parking lots and other mixed uses.

If you like The Platt Park area, you will also like Washington Park, Bonnie Brae, Congress Park, Cheesman Park and City Park.

Platt Park Neighborhood Association: www.3pa.org