On a day when it’s hard to imagine what a nice scene Denver’s Sloan’s Lake has become, Highlands expert Deviree Vallejo wants you to put on your jacket and boots for a chance at some prices that may be just warm memories by the

time all of the improvements headed for this area arrive.

Already, this neighborhood where Vallejo will give you a hardhat tour of Park Place XII today has a FasTracks station on the West Rail Line into down-town, six blocks south – and Highland’s restaurant row at W. 32nd and Lowell a mile north. New townhomes in neighbor-hoods up there go for way more than the prices for five units still remaining on this project by Urban Vision LLC – now at $479,000 to $499,000.

That’s before the enhance-ments arrive for the 7-block Sloans/St. Anthony redevelop-ment site, a couple of blocks west of today’s tour at 17th and King Street. Developers there promise a theater, restaurants and new retail. The anticipa-tion of that project has driven early sales on units you’ll see today – seven of 12 already gone.

Vallejo, with Kentwood City Properties, says that this is a chance to tour real units still at a rough stage – no heat yet -- but a much better opportu-nity to see how those homes lay out than buyers had who already signed on. Park Place XII’s remaining units are all 2-bedroom/3-bath, deeded fee-simple (you own the ground below, typically accompanied by lower HOA fees). Remaining sizes are 1,573 to 1,679 square feet, plus 2-car attached garages and rooftop decks. They’re far

enough along for you to see the views; the edgy architecture with Bosch appliances, Kabi Euro-styled surfaces and cabinets, Danze fixtures, and low-voltage lighting.

Vallejo, a regular runner on Denver’s marathon circuit, will tell you about trails around 177-acre Sloan’s Lake – Westword’s pick as ‘best runner’s park,’ with a new marina and one of the city’s best views. If you like this location and want to lever-age the situation even more,

Vallejo will show you plans for two other townhome projects that Urban Vision builders Don Gooden and Kyle O’Connor are set to start around the corner, one of them from just $459,000.

Julian Street Townhomes, next door to Park Place, opens pre-sales today with all units under $500,000. A block west, Urban Vision has four remain-ing homes in Boardwalk at Sloans – directly overlooking the lake, with 360-degree views that sweep past downtown

and the mountains, too. Both of those townhome projects should deliver around fall 2015.

The tour of Park Place and presales for Julian Street Townhomes are at W. 17th Avenue between Julian and King Streets. From I-25 take Colfax west a mile to Irving, turn north to 17th, and head west.

PARK PLACE XII AT SLOAN’S LAKE

As St. Anthony site takes off at Sloan’s Lake, final five Park Place townhomes are open today, two more projects coming

Mark Samuelson writes on real estate and business; you can email him atmark@samuelsonassoc.com. You can see all of Mark Samuelson’s columns online at DenverPostHomes.com

WHERE: Park Place XII by Urban Vision LLC, only 5 townhomes left; 2-bed/3-bath plus office, 2 blks from Sloan’s Lake Park; close to SLOANS/St. Anthony site; 1,573-1,679 sq. ft., 2-car attached garage, rooftop deck; hardhat tour today; presales begin on Boardwalk & Julian St. Townhomes. 3420 W. 17th Ave., Denver; from I-25 take Colfax Ave. west 1 mile to Irving St., turn north 3 blks to W. 17th, head west 1 blk

PRICE: From $459,000-$649,000 WHEN: Hardhat tours today, noon until 2 p.m. PHONE: 303-931-0097

WEB: ParkPlaceXII.com JulianStTownhomes.com BoardwalkAtSloans.com

Architect’s rendering of Park Place and Julian Street Townhomes, with a first preview tour today near Sloan’s Lake.