1777 Franklin Street

A new seven-story supportive housing project is set to rise at the corner of 18th & Franklin, replacing a 1920s-era duplex and a 13-unit apartment building in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood.

The Chrysalis Apartments, led by The Empowerment Program and designed by Denver-based Radix Design, will offer 70 deeply affordable units, including studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms.

All units are expected to be reserved for residents earning 30% of the area median income or less.

Backed by low-income housing tax credits and a $3.15 million city loan, the development will bring trauma-informed, wraparound housing support to a site directly across from Saint Joseph Hospital.

Groundbreaking is expected in fall 2025, with construction led by Pinkard Construction. The 53,826-square-foot building will feature a shared kitchen, case management offices, community room, laundry, and an outdoor meditation garden.

A 60-year affordability covenant will secure long-term access for vulnerable residents, many of whom will also receive outpatient health services and reentry support through The Empowerment Program.

The project will include 28 bike parking spaces and 8 surface parking spaces, and is located along a protected bike lane, with bus access within a quarter-mile and light rail within a mile. Yes, it’s also next door to Onefold, home of arguably the best bacon fried rice in the city.

Chrysalis will also be a Zero Energy Ready building, the first in the U.S. to use the BYLD light-gauge steel structural system. It’s a technical milestone and a community-focused investment in one of Denver’s most transit-connected corridors.

Aerial media provided by @naked_drones