Find town center living in Belmar, Lakewood

Belmar sits at the center of Lakewood, Colorado, a mixed-use district built around a central plaza that pairs open-air shopping with dozens of restaurants and a movie theater. Redeveloped on the site of the former Villa Italia mall, Belmar spans roughly 22 blocks of shops, offices, and residences close to Alameda Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. The district anchors Downtown Lakewood, giving residents access to a Whole Foods Market, national retailers, and independent restaurants such as Tstreet Roadhouse and Great Divide Brewery and Roadhouse, all within the same compact footprint.

Public art defines Belmar's plaza and surrounding streets, with more than 70 installations funded by the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District and the 40 West Arts District close by. Belmar Plaza hosts a seasonal concert series and community events throughout the year, while nearby Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park adds a history museum inside a 132 acre park. Jeffco Public Schools serves the district's education needs, and Belmar Park's paved trails and lake give residents a close-by option for outdoor recreation.

Transportation and accessibility

On the move

Public transportation

RTD bus routes serve Belmar directly along Alameda Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard, connecting the district to the wider Denver metro network. The nearest W Line light rail stop, Lakewood-Wadsworth Station, sits about 1.3 miles from Belmar's central plaza, with RTD bus routes bridging the distance between the station and the district's shops and restaurants. The W Line runs directly into downtown Denver, with additional stops throughout Lakewood and Golden.

Airports

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits about 30 miles northeast of Belmar, typically a 40 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic and route. DEN serves as a major hub for United Airlines and a large operating base for Southwest and Frontier Airlines, with nonstop service to destinations across the country and internationally. Interstate 70 and Pena Boulevard provide the primary route between Belmar and the airport.

Cars and driving

Downtown Denver sits roughly 8 to 10 miles east of Belmar, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive via West Alameda Avenue or West 6th Avenue depending on traffic. Nearby Wadsworth Boulevard and Colfax Avenue provide direct north-south and east-west routes throughout Lakewood, while C-470 connects to the southern metro area. RTD operates a park-and-ride at Lakewood-Wadsworth Station for those looking to avoid downtown parking and congestion.

Pedestrians and bicycles

Belmar's internal streets include dedicated bike lanes and wide sidewalks connecting shops, restaurants, and offices throughout the district. Bear Creek Lake Park and Belmar Park both maintain paved, multi-use trails within a short distance for cycling, outdoor exercise, and leashed pet outings. The 40 West ArtLine adds a dedicated outdoor path connecting several West Colfax Avenue parks with public art along the route.

Industry and job market

Your next job awaits

Belmar sits within Lakewood's broader economy, anchored by large government, healthcare, and financial employers throughout the city. The Denver Federal Center, one of the region's largest federal employment sites, sits a short distance from the district, while St. Anthony Hospital and FirstBank's headquarters add stability across healthcare and finance. Belmar's own shops, restaurants, and offices add retail and hospitality opportunities within the district itself.

Government

The Denver Federal Center, a large federal employment campus near Belmar, houses multiple federal agencies, while State of Colorado offices add public sector positions throughout Lakewood.

Healthcare

St. Anthony Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Lakewood, and its parent CommonSpirit Health network create opportunities across nursing, emergency care, and hospital administration.

Finance and insurance

FirstBank, headquartered in Lakewood, anchors the local finance sector alongside branch banking and insurance offices serving the metro area.

Educational services

Jeffco Public Schools, Red Rocks Community College, and Colorado Christian University create teaching, administrative, and support positions throughout the area.

Retail

Belmar's open-air shopping district and nearby Colorado Mills outlet center support retail positions across national and independent stores alike.

Leisure and hospitality

Belmar's restaurants, movie theater, and Whole Foods Market generate ongoing demand for servers, culinary staff, and hospitality workers throughout the district.

Business services

Terumo BCT, a medical technology company headquartered in Lakewood, adds corporate, technical, and administrative business service positions to the local economy.

Education

Education for every age

Jeffco Public Schools serves Belmar and the surrounding Lakewood area, and the district led Colorado with 46 state performance awards from the Colorado Department of Education during the 2024-25 school year. Jeffco has also earned recognition from the NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education designation for multiple consecutive years, reflecting sustained investment in music programs across its schools. The district publishes detailed school-level performance data, accolades, and boundary information on its official website for families researching specific school assignments.

Things to do

Out and about

Belmar's central plaza anchors a compact mix of restaurants, boutiques, and cultural venues, with public art and seasonal events adding activity to the district throughout the year. Nearby Bear Creek Lake Park and Belmar Park extend the area's outdoor options with paved trails and open water, while the 40 West Arts District close by adds galleries and studio space. From casual dining to public art and green space, Belmar packs a varied mix of things to do into a single compact district.

Our top picks

Tstreet Roadhouse

This American restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner inside a stylish dining room at the center of Belmar's plaza. The menu spans elevated pub fare, oysters, and steaks, paired with a full bar and patio seating for enjoying a meal alongside the district's public art and events.

Great Divide Brewery and Roadhouse

Great Divide Brewing Company's newest taproom pairs Colorado-brewed beer with a full food menu from the Vibe Concepts restaurant group. The restaurant and bar sit directly on Belmar's main plaza, with indoor seating and a patio for enjoying a pint near the district's public art and events.

Whole Foods Market Belmar

This Whole Foods Market location anchors Belmar's grocery and dining options, with a full produce, meat, and seafood department alongside in-store eateries Birdcall and Kikka Sushi. The store also offers Amazon package pickup and returns for residents doing errands close by.

Cinemark Century Belmar 16 and XD

This 16-screen movie theater includes an XD auditorium for an enhanced picture and sound experience, along with on-screen captions offered for select showtimes. The theater sits inside Belmar's central shopping district, close to the plaza's restaurants and shops.

Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park

This history park and museum inside Belmar Park preserves 15 historic structures and more than 40,000 artifacts documenting Lakewood's early development. A visitor center, guided tours, and an outdoor festival area and amphitheater host programming throughout the year.

40 West Arts District

This state-certified creative arts district along West Colfax Avenue features art galleries, studios, and more than 100 public artworks along its free outdoor ArtLine path. Monthly First Friday events open galleries throughout the district close to Belmar.

Belmar Plaza Events and Programs

Belmar's central plaza hosts a year-round calendar of community events, including a summer concert series, seasonal festivals, and a holiday tree lighting. Surrounded by shops and restaurants, the plaza functions as the district's primary gathering space throughout the year.

Bear Creek Lake Park

This regional park spans more than 2,600 acres with a reservoir, two smaller lakes, and multi-use trails for cycling, equestrian use, and outdoor recreation. A designated swim beach, campground, and visitor center round out the park's amenities close to Belmar.