West Denver Renaissance ADU
Project Overview
The client needed a durable, well-designed ADU that could support Denver’s growing housing needs while fitting seamlessly into an urban neighborhood. Prenvalley Builders designed and built a two-story ADU above a garage with exterior stair access, navigating tight site conditions and zoning requirements along the way. What makes this project special is its partnership with the Denver Housing Authority and its role in advancing thoughtful, community-focused housing solutions.
Project Details
Size: 650 sq ft
Location: Denver, Colorado
Architectural Design: Prenvalley Builders
West Denver Renaissance Collaborative
Our Approach
Prenvalley Builders approached this ADU with a clear, process-driven strategy—balancing efficient design, durable construction, and long-term performance. Working within a tight urban site and public-private partnership requirements, the team coordinated closely across design, permitting, and construction to deliver a high-quality housing solution. The result is a well-executed ADU that reflects Prenvalley’s experience with complex urban projects and high-performance residential building.
Project Highlights
Two-story ADU built above an integrated garage
Exterior stair access to maximize privacy and site use
High-performance building for durability and energy efficiency
Designed to meet Denver zoning and urban infill requirements
Constructed in partnership with the Denver Housing Authority
Part of the West Denver Renaissance Collaborative initiative
Results
The completed ADU delivers a durable, efficient living space that supports Denver’s evolving housing needs while fitting seamlessly into its urban context. Through careful planning and execution, Prenvalley Builders transformed a constrained site into a high-quality, long-term housing solution. The result is a project that balances performance, functionality, and community impact.
Project Goals
Create durable, long-term housing in an urban Denver neighborhood
Maximize usable space on a constrained infill site
Deliver a high-performance, energy-efficient ADU
Navigate zoning and partnership requirements efficiently
Support community-focused housing initiatives
Common Questions about Accessory Dwelling Units
-
This varies quite a bit throughout Colorado based on your city’s specific zoning guidelines. Our team are experts with zoning rules throughout the state and can provide you with a detailed breakdown of what’s possible.
-
We usually get asked how much an ADU costs per square foot but this is the hardest metric for an ADU since the cost per square foot parameter can vary drastically based on the size. This is due to the fact that ADUs are small compared to normal homes and the cost per sq. ft. can vary dramatically due to the economy of scale factor. Also, most of the ADUs we build have unfinished garages which complicates that metric even further. We’ve found that ADUs in Denver can vary on average from $250k to $450k based on size, finish level, and site constraints.
-
As of right now the average ROI ranges from 4 to 7 years until you begin seeing a net positive on your ADU investment which is based short term renting the space over that time. The problem with ADUs in Colorado is that there aren’t many comparables when appraisers are valuing these spaces so they are typically appraised at a lower value than they were built for. As more ADUs are built and sold with their primary homes, these numbers will improve so this ROI is very much temporary. As of now, ADUs are considered a long term investment and are definitely worth the consideration if you’re looking to hold onto your home for the long run.
-
In our experience thus far, the scale of an ADU hasn’t been proven to be built better or more cost effective in a modular format. The modular ADU on paper seems like a great idea but all of the companies we’ve seen provide them are at a comparable price point if not higher and quality issues can occur due to manufacturing, delivery, and assembly issues. We view ADUs as custom small homes that need to be built with care and craftsmanship which can easily be lost in a mass manufacturing process.
