LAKEWOOD, Colo. — As of December 13, there are 115 more units of affordable housing in
Lakewood. Last Friday, Metro West Housing Solutions (MWHS) celebrated the Grand Opening
of Indy Street Flats, its newest affordable housing community located at 1440 Independence
Avenue.
The $37 million project is a combination of rehabbed units, adaptive reuse, and new
construction. 84 units are housed in a new building, with interior design features and murals
honoring the historic spirit of West Colfax. 12 2-bedroom units were previously owned and
operated by MWHS and were rehabbed while remaining affordable. The remaining 19 units are
housed in the historic Masonic Lodge, which now houses the first micro-units in Lakewood.
Historic preservation and adaptive reuse of the Masonic Lodge is what led MWHS to style Indy
Street Flats after the 1950s spirit that still lingers along West Colfax.
All 115 units in the new community are affordable and reserved for individuals and families
earning 30-60% of the Area Median Income. At the time of opening, there was a wait list of
over 900 for an apartment at the new community.
Tami Fischer, Executive Director and CEO of MWHS, spoke to the importance of building
affordable housing in Lakewood: “as rents in Lakewood surge higher and higher, hard-working
individuals and families are being priced out of living where they work. We are so proud to be
able to offer much-needed high quality affordable housing to those who need it most in the
Lakewood community. Indy Street Flats is a beautiful community whose residents can be proud
to call home.”
Friday’s grand opening ceremony brought together the project’s partners, Lakewood officials
and community members to tour model units and amenities located in the new building and
the Masonic Lodge. Over 150 attendees viewed the buildings’ community rooms, office suites,
fitness center, and original murals.
“Metro West has been a staple in the Lakewood community for years, providing award-winning
housing to thousands of Lakewood’s residents,” said Adam Paul, Lakewood’s mayor.
“Agency-wide, MWHS has over 9,000 applicants on their wait list, which shows just how critical
their mission of providing affordable housing is. We are proud of their commitment to provide
beautiful, high-quality affordable housing communities like Indy Street Flats.”
The project was supported through public-private partnership and utilized $18 million in state
and federal tax credit equity. Shopworks Architecture served as architect on the project with
general contracting through Taylor Kohrs.
