Franconia

Pros

• Mercy Housing owns and operates the senior/disabled apartments.
• The staff are remarkably polite and friendly.
• The building is very well kept and quiet.
• It is a good place to live for those on a fixed income.
• HUD-subsidized one-bedroom apartments are available.
• The community offers studio apartments as well.

Cons

• The elevator and repairs are terrible.
• The wait lists are usually in excess of a year.

Review

My dad calls this Mercy Housing property home, a place designed for seniors and people with disabilities. It's presented as a senior/disabled apartment house, and it clearly functions as a community built around affordability and accessibility. The site offers both one-bedroom apartments that are subsidized through HUD and additional studio units, giving residents a few different living options depending on need and income. It's a place where familiar routines and a sense of belonging seem to matter, and where family members tend to drop by because the atmosphere feels welcoming enough to be comfortable for visitors as well as residents.

The demand for housing here is very real. Waiting lists tend to be long, usually stretching well past a year. That reality reflects the value and desirability of the community, especially for seniors and disabled residents who are seeking stable, affordable housing with predictable costs. The lengthy waitlists can be frustrating for people hoping to move in, but they also signal that the property fills a crucial need for people on fixed incomes who are looking for a safe, stable place to live.

One persistent challenge that sticks out in impressions of the building is the elevator. It's described as terrible, with repairs that seem inadequate or slow to come through. For a senior/disabled residence, elevator reliability is more than a convenience - it directly affects daily life, mobility, and safety. When the elevator is out of service or not functioning smoothly, it can create real disruption for residents who rely on it to access their floors, go to appointments, or simply leave their apartments to socialize or run errands. This issue stands in sharp relief against otherwise positive impressions of the community.

On the upside, the staff at the property are frequently praised for their courtesy. They're described as remarkably polite and friendly, which makes a tangible difference for residents who spend a lot of time in common areas or who need assistance with day-to-day tasks. A respectful, approachable staff can transform a housing complex from merely functional to genuinely supportive, especially for seniors navigating health concerns, mobility issues, or the occasional maintenance need. It's the kind of human touch that residents notice and remember.

The property itself is said to be very well kept and quiet. The grounds and buildings come across as clean and well maintained, creating an environment that feels calm and orderly. For many residents on fixed incomes, a quiet, well-managed building is invaluable - it reduces stress, supports a predictable routine, and fosters a sense of safety within the living spaces. The combination of clean interiors, tidy communal areas, and a peaceful atmosphere helps balance out the occasional frustrations that come with elevator troubles or long wait times.

Another facet of the community that stands out is the sense of neighborliness and the social fabric. The phrase "There are plenty of Heads here" hints at a lively, perhaps chatty resident community. While the wording is informal, it points to a place where neighbors look out for one another, where conversations occur in hallways or common rooms, and where staff can rely on residents to participate in a shared living environment. For someone living with fixed-income constraints, this kind of social environment can be as important as the physical amenities, offering companionship and a built-in support system.

Overall, this Mercy Housing property presents a nuanced picture. It is clearly a good place to live for those on a fixed income, offering HUD-subsidized one-bedroom apartments and additional studio options. The building is kept clean and quiet, the staff are consistently polite and friendly, and the community feels active and welcoming. Yet the elevator issue and the long waitlists remind you that even well-run affordable housing has its drawbacks and daily hurdles. Dad lives here, and I visit quite often, which gives me firsthand insight into how these positives and challenges play out in everyday life. For many residents, this combination of affordability, accessibility, and a sense of community will likely outweigh the occasional frustration with maintenance and logistics, making it a solid choice for those seeking stable, affordable housing in a peaceful setting.

Parks

• Cheesman Park (0.3 miles)
• Benedict Fountain Park (1.3 miles)
• City Park (1.3 miles)
• Washington Park (2 miles)
• Bonnie Brae Ellipse Park (2.3 miles)
• Confluence Park (2.4 miles)
• Infinity Park (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Don's Club Tavern (0.5 miles)
• Charlie's Denver (0.6 miles)
• Vesper Lounge (0.7 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (0.7 miles)
• X Bar (0.7 miles)
• Postino Broadway (1.2 miles)
• Cherry Cricket (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Cathedral (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Medical Center (1 miles)
• Denver Health: Gipson Eastside Family Health Center (1.7 miles)
• Center For Hearing, Speech, & Language (1.9 miles)
• Rose Medical Center Medical Libr (2.1 miles)
• Orthopedic Associates (2.1 miles)
• Highlands Integrative Pediatrics (2.9 miles)
• Cherry Creek Pediatrics (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Webb Center for Primary Care (1.1 miles)
• National Jewish Health (1.7 miles)
• Cherry Creek Eye Center (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Aviano Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Crema Coffee House (2.1 miles)
• Improper City (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Stella's Coffee House (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal UA Denver Pavilions 4DX & RPX (1.3 miles)
• Amc 9+Co 1 (1.8 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Denver (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• RTD Rail - 38th & Blake Station (2.7 miles)