Space indoors and out: At Thornton’s Riverdale Ranch paired patio ranches deliver big interiors walkouts beside a trail

As the economy begins initial steps to open safely, builders are noticing how homebuyers' priorities have changed—thinking more about space, home offices, lower levels, and access to explore the outdoors.

What: Riverdale Ranch by Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, two series of paired ranch designs, some homes for quick delivery, walkout sites available, basement finish option, direct access to trails, low-maintenance living

Where: Riverdale Ranch, 12688 Ulster St, Thornton, from I-25 take 120th Ave east 4 mi. to Quebec St, north 1 mi to 128th Ave, turn east to Ulster

Price: From $360s and $450s, move in July in the $650s

When: Sunday 11-5, Mon 10-5, Thurs 10–5, Fri 1-5, Sat 10–5, Closed Tue-Wed

Phone: 720-334-7973

More Info: ExperienceRiverdale.com

That's true in Thornton, where Boulder Creek Neighborhoods has been very successful with creative ranch-plan enclaves and where two new series of paired ranches deliver a particular value on indoor space that's been luring buyers right from the moment the shutdown ended.

You can come tour models of those ranches today east of Quebec St. on E. 128th Avenue; a location where Boulder Creek has two added features that work particularly well with a ranch plan lifestyle — a trail into Glen Eagle Open Space that connects to the South Platte River Trail into Denver and a low-maintenance offering that takes away the burden of a handful of outdoor chores.

Thornton area buyers have an endless list of ways they want to put these interiors to use, says Drew Kell, Community Sales Manager at Riverdale Ranch. He has seen sales continue at a steady pace from when the stay-at-home ended.

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"We've had adult kids who have had us do a finished basement for them, and then brought in their parents to live upstairs," he says.

Another buyer took advantage of one of Boulder Creek's smaller ranches (they start from as low as the $360s for 1,260 sq ft) to break his 85-year-old father out of a senior living place where he'd been holed up through the crisis, unable to see his grandkids.

Both of Boulder Creek's ranch collections show Universal design-inspired ideas with wider corridors and main-floor living, features that make it easier for people as they age; including offering as few steps as possible from garage and driveway into the main living area.

You can choose an Opportunities Two Series floor plan from the $360s or an Opportunities One Series floor plan with more space from the $450s, with walkout homesites and full basement finish options adding two guest bedrooms and lots of added entertaining space, finishing in the mid $600s.

Kell can tour you through four models, two Opportunities One series and two Opportunities Two series, and can show you where the community garden will be, close to a park and the bridge onto the trail.

The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post's preparation.

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