Lowry is weird. Not bad weird, just "this used to be an Air Force Base and now it’s a high-end suburb" weird. If you’re looking at 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO, you’re basically looking at the epicenter of that transformation. It’s not just a random street address. Honestly, it’s one of those spots where Denver’s past military rigidness hits the modern, "let's grab a craft beer and go to the park" lifestyle head-on.
You’ve probably seen it if you've driven through the neighborhood. It’s home to the Hangar 2 development.
What’s actually at 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO?
Most people typing this address into Google are looking for a place to eat or a specific office, but the reality is more interesting. This specific block is part of the adaptive reuse movement that saved Lowry from becoming just another bland sprawl of cookie-cutter homes.
Specifically, you’re looking at a site that anchors the Hangar 2 District. This isn't some tiny strip mall. It’s a massive, cavernous space that used to house military aircraft and now houses things like North County, a San Diego-style taco spot, and Lowry Beer Garden.
It’s big. Really big.
The architecture still screams 1930s-era military utility. You’ve got these massive steel trusses and high ceilings that make modern construction look like it was built out of cardboard. If you’re visiting, you’re usually there for one of three reasons: the food, the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (which is right next door), or the specialized medical and professional offices that have taken over the surrounding suites.
The Lowry Beer Garden and why it matters
Let's be real: the Beer Garden is the reason most people find themselves at this address. It’s over 9,000 square feet of outdoor space. In Denver, that’s basically a religious site. When the weather is even slightly decent—which, in Colorado, is like 300 days a year—this place is packed.
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It’s a communal vibe. You aren't tucked away in a private booth. You’re sitting at long communal tables. It’s loud. There are kids everywhere. There are dogs. It’s basically the neighborhood’s living room. If you hate crowds or children, stay away on a Saturday afternoon. But if you want to see how Denver actually functions as a community, this is it.
The transition from Air Force Base to lifestyle hub
Lowry closed as an active base in 1994. For a while, it was a ghost town. Then, the Lowry Redevelopment Authority (LRA) got a hold of it. They didn't just bulldoze everything, which is what usually happens when developers see prime Denver real estate. They kept the hangars.
7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO represents the "New Lowry."
It’s located right across from the Eisenhower Chapel and a short walk from the Great Lawn Park. The park itself is a massive 40-acre stretch of green. It’s where the city holds concerts and where people go to pretend they’re training for a marathon when they’re really just walking to get ice cream at Rocket Ice Cream (the big metal milk bottle nearby).
Is it a good place to work?
There’s a lot of office space around here. Specifically, the medical community has a huge footprint in this corridor. Because of the proximity to the Anschutz Medical Campus—which is just a few miles east in Aurora—a lot of specialists keep offices in the Lowry area.
Working at 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO means you aren't stuck in a windowless cubicle downtown. You’ve got walkable lunch spots. You’ve got parking—lots of it, which is a miracle in Denver. But the traffic on Academy Blvd can be a nightmare during school pickup and drop-off hours because the Denver Language School and other local academies are right in the thick of it.
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What most people get wrong about this area
People think Lowry is "far." It’s not. It’s just east.
If you’re coming from Cherry Creek, it’s a ten-minute drive. If you’re coming from Park Hill, it’s five. But because it’s tucked away from the I-25 corridor, it feels like its own little island. This address—7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO—is the "Main Street" of that island.
Another misconception is that it’s all just luxury condos. While there is plenty of that, the area around Academy Boulevard has a surprisingly diverse mix of uses. You have the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado headquarters nearby. You have the Wings museum, which is a legitimate Smithsonian affiliate. It’s not just a playground for the wealthy; it’s a functional piece of the city's infrastructure.
The Wings Over the Rockies connection
You can’t talk about this address without mentioning the planes. Hangar 1, which sits adjacent to the 7711 block, houses the museum. You’ll often see a B-52 Stratofortress parked outside. It’s massive. It’s an eerie reminder that while people are sipping IPAs and eating street tacos today, this place was once a high-stakes training ground for the Cold War.
The museum isn't just for tourists. They do a lot of STEM outreach. They have flight simulators. They basically keep the history of the site alive so it doesn't just feel like another gentrified development.
Getting there and what to expect
If you’re plugging 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO into your GPS, here is the ground-level reality of what you’ll find:
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- Parking: There is a large lot right in front of the Hangar 2 complex. It fills up fast on Friday nights. If it’s full, don't panic; there is street parking on the side streets, but watch the signs for street sweeping.
- Vibe: Casual. You can show up in hiking gear or business casual and nobody cares.
- The Walk: It’s very walkable once you’re there. You can park once and hit four different restaurants, a coffee shop, and a park.
- The Weather: The Academy Boulevard corridor acts like a wind tunnel sometimes. If it’s breezy in Denver, it’s twice as breezy between these giant hangars. Bring a jacket.
The food situation (No fluff)
- North County: Great fish tacos. A bit pricey for what it is, but the patio is top-tier.
- Lowry Beer Garden: The pretzels are the size of your head. The bratwursts are solid. The beer list is massive.
- Cafe Mercato: If you want something a bit more "adult" and less "beer hall," this is the spot. Elevated Italian. Good for a date.
- Rocket Ice Cream: It’s in a giant metal milk bottle. You can’t miss it. The line gets long in the summer, but it moves fast.
Why this specific block matters for Denver's future
Denver is struggling with its identity lately. We have the "Old Denver" that’s disappearing and the "New Denver" that feels a bit soulless. Lowry, and specifically the area around 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO, is one of the few places where the balance actually works.
It works because they kept the scale. They didn't build a 20-story glass tower. They kept the hangars low and wide. They maintained the sightlines. It feels like Colorado.
If you’re looking to invest in the area or move your business here, you’re betting on stability. Lowry is one of the most stable real estate markets in the metro area. It doesn't see the wild swings that RiNo or the Highlands see because it’s anchored by families and established institutions.
Practical Insights for Your Visit
If you're heading to 7711 East Academy Boulevard Denver CO, don't just treat it as a quick stop.
- Check the Museum Schedule: Sometimes they have "Cockpits and Cocktails" events or special fly-ins. It’s worth checking their calendar before you head down.
- Timing is Everything: If you want a quiet lunch, go at 1:30 PM. If you go at noon, you’ll be fighting every office worker and parent in a three-mile radius.
- Explore the Backside: The area behind the hangars has some interesting public art and smaller boutiques that people often miss because they stay on the Academy Boulevard side.
- Commute Smart: If you're coming from downtown, take 6th Avenue all the way East. It’s usually faster than fighting Colfax or Montview, despite what Google Maps might tell you during rush hour.
The reality of this address is that it’s a success story. Usually, when a military base closes, the land sits vacant for thirty years or becomes a massive warehouse district. Instead, Denver turned it into a place where you can actually spend a whole day. It’s a mix of history, commerce, and community that actually feels intentional.
Stop by the museum, grab a beer at the garden, and take a second to look up at the trusses of the hangar. It’s a cool reminder of what Denver used to be and where it’s going.
Next Steps for Exploring Lowry
- Visit the Great Lawn Park: Walk two blocks west from the address to hit one of the best sunset spots in the city.
- Tour the Eisenhower Chapel: It’s a historic landmark just a stone's throw away that hosted a presidential wedding (Mamie and Ike).
- Check the Lowry Community Master Association (LCMA) Website: They list all the seasonal events like farmers markets or outdoor movies that happen right in this specific parking lot area.