Archway Communities and ULC welcome new residents to Mosaic Community Campus

Adaptive reuse, community, and long-term housing solutions come together for families seeking a brighter future.

On October 24, Archway Communities and Urban Land Conservancy celebrated the grand opening of 154 income-based apartments at the Mosaic Community Campus in South Park Hill – homes providing critical housing to families in Denver earning 30-60% of the area median income (AMI). The buildings are owned by Archway and held in Urban Land Conservancy’s community land trust, which ensures permanent affordability and that the land will always be used for community benefit. 

Located on the former Johnson & Wales Denver campus, Archway’s redevelopment project involved converting 400 dormitories into family-oriented apartments across four buildings. This development is the first housing to open at the Mosaic Community Campus, which since 2021 has been owned by ULC, Denver Housing Authority, and Denver Public Schools.

When the buildings’ doors officially opened in October, Dominic Tillman was among the first to move in with his wife and three daughters. 

“You know, most places for a three-bedroom, two-bath is probably going for average on the low end, $2,700 to $3,500,” Tillman said. At Mosaic, he said, “We pay $2,000 for everything included.”

Archway Communities’ new residents benefit from a holistic environment that includes other campus organizations like Denver School of the Arts, a public high school; DIRT Coffee, which supports the neurodivergent community with job training; Work Options, which offers free culinary job training; and St. Elizabeth’s School, a K-8 school with a deep commitment to inclusivity. These resources help promote personal and professional growth, making the campus a thriving hub.

ULC’s innovative approach to affordable real estate, centered around its 99-year land lease, ensures these one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes will remain affordable for generations to come, fostering stability at the edge of the East Colfax neighborhood, one of Denver’s historically underserved communities. ULC and Archway Communities share a commitment to sustainable, affordable housing to counter displacement and promote equitable living opportunities across Denver.

“ULC shares Archway’s goals around affordable real estate, and we’re proud to be working together on other developments in the metro area,” ULC CEO Aaron Miripol said. “Today is a reminder of what’s possible when mission-minded partners work together.”

For over 20 years, ULC has been a trusted leader in delivering long-term housing solutions. Looking ahead, ULC remains dedicated to working with Denver-area communities and development partners like Archway to ensure that our most vulnerable populations can access affordable housing and resources to build better futures.

“On behalf of ULC: a warm welcome to Mosaic’s first full-time residents,” Miripol said. “Welcome home.”

Learn more and apply for housing at Mosaic via Archway Communities. Learn more about ULC’s impact and its community land trust via  Urban Land Conservancy.