Golden, Colorado continues to evolve, and one of the city's most ambitious redevelopment projects just reached a major milestone.
If you've spent time in downtown Golden lately, you've probably noticed some big changes happening near 9th Street and Washington Avenue. The historic CoorsTek manufacturing campus is being transformed into Clayworks, a thoughtfully designed mixed-use district bringing new restaurants, retail, offices, residences, and public spaces to the heart of Golden.
As a Golden, Colorado Realtor, I love seeing projects that respect the character of our town while creating something exciting for its future. Clayworks is especially interesting because it blends historic preservation, modern architecture, sustainability, and walkability. And the first major phase is officially complete.
The Pottery Opens at Clayworks in Downtown Golden
In October 2026, The Pottery opened at 800 Ford Street, marking the first completed building within the approximately 14-acre Clayworks redevelopment. The nearly 189,000-square-foot building is now home to CoorsTek's global headquarters, bringing the company's corporate operations back to the historic site where its ceramics manufacturing legacy began more than a century ago.
Developed by AC Development, a Coors family company, the project is preserving pieces of Golden's industrial history while introducing beautiful contemporary architecture and modern workspaces. Original brick façades, historic kiln elements, reclaimed furnishings, and ceramic-inspired details give the building a sense of character that you simply cannot recreate with new construction alone. For someone who appreciates architecture and thoughtful design, this is exactly the kind of redevelopment I love seeing in Golden.
What's Coming to Clayworks Golden?
The Pottery is just the beginning. The larger Clayworks master plan envisions transforming approximately six city blocks into a vibrant, walkable extension of downtown Golden.
Future plans include:
New restaurants, cafés, and local retail
Urban apartments and additional housing opportunities
A boutique hotel and event spaces
Modern office and commercial spaces
Public plazas, pedestrian walkways, and gathering areas
Public art and outdoor community spaces
One of the first exciting additions is Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters, which is preparing to open a location on the ground floor of The Pottery. The café is targeting an opening before the end of 2026. I love the idea of another great coffee destination in downtown Golden, especially one that adds to the walkable, neighborhood feel of this development.
Sustainability Meets Thoughtful Design
Another standout feature of Clayworks is its commitment to sustainable development. The project incorporates a district-scale geothermal energy system designed to provide much of the campus's heating and cooling needs. The Pottery is also targeting LEED Gold and WELL Gold certifications.
Green infrastructure, native landscaping, pedestrian-friendly streets, and the adaptive reuse of existing structures are all part of the broader vision. Golden has always attracted people who value the outdoors and an active Colorado lifestyle. Seeing a major development incorporate those values into its architecture and planning feels like a natural fit.
What Does Clayworks Mean for Golden Colorado Real Estate?
As a Realtor specializing in Golden and the surrounding Denver foothills communities, I'm particularly interested in how developments like Clayworks influence the way people experience a neighborhood.
Golden already offers something pretty special: access to the mountains, a charming historic downtown, locally owned businesses, beautiful trails, and proximity to Denver and Boulder. Clayworks has the potential to build on those strengths.
More walkability and amenities. Additional restaurants, shops, and public spaces could make downtown Golden even more appealing to residents who value being able to walk or bike to their favorite places.
New employment opportunities. Modern office space and CoorsTek's continued presence may help attract businesses and professionals to Golden.
More housing options. Planned rental apartments could introduce additional residential choices in a city where housing availability remains a major conversation.
Long-term neighborhood investment. Thoughtful redevelopment can contribute to a neighborhood's appeal, although the impact on individual home values depends on broader market conditions, housing supply, and buyer demand.
For homeowners and prospective buyers, these are the kinds of community changes worth watching. They don't automatically translate into higher property values, but they can influence how people perceive and choose a location.
Why People Love Living in Golden, Colorado
One of the reasons I love working in Golden real estate is that the city offers a lifestyle that's difficult to replicate elsewhere in the Denver metro area.
You can start your morning on a trail, grab coffee downtown, enjoy lunch along Washington Avenue, and still be within easy reach of Denver or Boulder.
From historic homes near downtown Golden to established neighborhoods in Applewood, modern new construction, and foothills properties with mountain views, the housing options are surprisingly diverse. Clayworks adds another layer to that lifestyle, bringing new energy to an already desirable community while maintaining an important connection to Golden's history.
Is Clayworks Going to Have Condos or Homes for Sale?
This is an important distinction for anyone searching for new construction homes in Golden, Colorado. According to the developer's current plans, residential housing at Clayworks will consist of rental apartments. Condominiums and other for-sale residences are not currently planned within the development. For buyers interested in owning a home near downtown Golden, there are still opportunities in surrounding neighborhoods, including historic properties, townhomes, duplexes, and newer construction, depending on availability.
The Future of Downtown Golden Looks Exciting
Golden is growing, but what makes this city special is its character. The best projects are the ones that recognize that. Clayworks is an interesting example of how historic industrial property can evolve into something that serves the next generation of residents, businesses, and visitors. With The Pottery now open, Sweet Bloom Coffee on the way, and additional phases planned over the coming years, this is definitely a development I'll be keeping an eye on.
I'm Halley Zadeyan, the Realtor behind Homes by Halley. I specialize in Golden, Applewood, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood, and Denver's west-side communities, helping clients navigate the local real estate market with a design-forward approach, thoughtful strategy, and concierge-level service.Whether you're relocating to Golden, exploring neighborhoods, or wondering how new development may affect your home's value, I'd love to help you make your next move.
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