Hilltop & Crestmoor

DENVER NEIGHBORHOODS  |  THE MITCH LAZAR TEAM

Hilltop and Crestmoor, Denver: A Neighborhood Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Living in Hilltop

Hilltop earned its name honestly: the neighborhood sits on some of the highest ground in central Denver, and from the sundial plaza in Cranmer Park the front range spreads across the horizon from Pikes Peak to Longs Peak. The streets below are wide, quiet, and lined with mature elms and oaks, plotted in the parkway tradition that gives east Denver its character.

The location is the quiet advantage. Cherry Creek North’s shops and restaurants sit just west across Colorado Boulevard, downtown is fifteen minutes, and the Cherry Creek Trail connects the neighborhood to the city’s bike network. Families are drawn by the school options, among the strongest concentrations in the city: Steck Elementary and Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences in Denver Public Schools, and Graland Country Day School, the private K through 8 that has anchored the neighborhood since 1927.

Immediately east, across Holly Street, Crestmoor carries the same DNA around its own anchor, Crestmoor Park. The neighborhood filled in slightly later than Hilltop, so midcentury ranches and low-slung 1950s designs set the original tone, and the same rebuild wave is now transforming its blocks. Many buyers shop Hilltop and Crestmoor as a single search, and for most practical purposes, schools, parks, price behavior, they function as one market with two names.

The Homes: Tudors, Ranches, and New Construction

Hilltop’s housing stock tells the neighborhood’s story in three chapters. The original build-out of the 1930s and 1940s left brick Tudors and colonials, many meticulously updated. The postwar years added generous midcentury ranches on some of the largest lots in central Denver. And for the past two decades, those lots have powered a steady new construction market: custom contemporary homes of 5,000 to 8,000 square feet now stand beside their 1940s neighbors.

That mix is exactly what makes pricing here nuanced. A dated ranch and the new build next door can differ by $2 million, and lot value versus finished value is a real calculation on nearly every sale. It is also what makes Hilltop resilient: entry points exist for buyers who want to renovate, while the top of the market keeps setting new highs.

Hilltop & Crestmoor Market Snapshot

Data: REcolorado MLS and DMAR Market Trends. Updated monthly alongside our Denver Luxury Market Report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Hilltop and Crestmoor in Denver?

Hilltop sits in east central Denver, roughly bounded by 6th Avenue Parkway to the north, Alameda Avenue to the south, Colorado Boulevard to the west, and Holly Street to the east. Crestmoor lies directly east of Hilltop across Holly Street, centered on Crestmoor Park, and the two are commonly shopped as one market.

How much does a home in Hilltop or Crestmoor cost?

The median sale in the wider Hilltop area (zip 80220) was about $750,000 over the last 12 months per REcolorado. Original ranches and Tudors anchor the lower end, while new custom construction regularly trades above $3 million.

What schools serve Hilltop?

Hilltop is served by Denver Public Schools, including Steck Elementary and Hill Campus of Arts and Sciences, with George Washington High School nearby. Graland Country Day School, a private K through 8, is located in the neighborhood itself.

What is Cranmer Park known for?

Cranmer Park is Hilltop’s signature open space, known for its restored sundial plaza and its panoramic front range views, one of the few places in central Denver where the full mountain skyline is visible from a neighborhood park.

Is Hilltop or Crestmoor a good place to sell a dated home?

Yes. Hilltop and Crestmoor together form one of central Denver’s most active lot and teardown markets, which means even homes that need significant updating attract builder and buyer interest. Pricing correctly between lot value and finished value is the key decision, and it is one we model for every seller.

Explore Nearby

Hilltop buyers frequently also look at Cherry Creek, just west across Colorado Boulevard, and Observatory Park to the south. For larger lots, the corridor continues into Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village. See all areas on our Denver neighborhood guide.

Related Guides

Planning a move from out of state? Start with the Denver Relocation Guide. Comparing areas? See the Best Denver Suburbs guide. Looking for privacy and a staffed gate? See Gated Communities of South Denver. Working in the tech center? See Living Near the Denver Tech Center.