Development Roundup: Former JD’s Bar, Sidewok Cafe

By Eric Heinz

This month, The Denver North Star takes a look at two properties that have recently interested us. Sometimes we look at properties that have distinctive characteristics, other times we look at major projects coming down the pike.

If you have questions or recommendations about properties in the northwest Denver area, email eric@denvernorthstar.com.

2001 W. 48TH AVE. (formerly JD’S Bar)

The lot at the former JD’s Bar is following a trend of Denver replacing small commercial buildings with more housing. Plans submitted to the city by owner Real Architecture Ltd. show they intend to build a 10-townhome complex, with two-bedroom/ two-bathroom units of about 1,200 to 1,300 square feet each.

David Berton, the president of Real Architecture Ltd., told The Denver North Star that there will be one-car garages with the units with “modern exteriors.” He said because of the time it’s taken permitting to move forward, construction may start in fall of this year.

“They are entry-level units with a courtyard in the middle, and all units are either facing Tejon or 48th Avenue,” Berton said. “All the front doors are on the outside and backdoors face the courtyard.” Real Architecture bought the roughly quarter-acre lot in 2021 for $529,500, according to Denver city records.

Sidewok Cafe Listed for Sale

The bright yellow sign shaped into a bowl of noodles has been eye-catching along West Colfax for the last two decades, but recently the property was listed for sale. According to a real estate listing obtained by The Denver North Star, the Sidewok Cafe at 4930 W. Colfax Ave. is listed for sale for $2.5 million.

The listing is from Omaha, Nebraska- based Berkshire Hathaway by its Fort Collins office. A real estate agent with the first said the seller is not willing to discuss the details at this time, but more information could be coming soon.

The firm is recruiting potential buyers by noting the property is zoned for “urban mixed-use” with a maximum height of five stories.

“Which is a big plus with all the newer building activities on this West Colfax main street,” the listing reads.
According to the website, Sidewok has been family owned and operated since 2000, specializing in Chinese, Hong Kong, Thai and vegetarian cuisine options, with recipes that were constructed out of family traditions.

When The Denver North Star recently visited the restaurant, it was providing take-out orders only and chairs had been stacked on top of tables. The restaurant also had displayed various community awards it had been given during its tenure.