Neighborhood Guide
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.
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FAQs about Belmar, CO
Belmar is a mixed-use district built on the site of the former Villa Italia mall, combining open-air shopping, dining, offices, and residences around a central plaza. Unlike much of Lakewood's more spread-out commercial corridors, Belmar concentrates dozens of restaurants, a movie theater, and national and independent retailers into a compact, roughly 22 block footprint. Public art funded by the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District appears throughout the district, and the plaza hosts community events across the calendar year, giving Belmar a distinct town-center identity within Lakewood.
RTD bus routes run directly along Alameda Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard through Belmar, connecting the district to the wider Denver metro transit network without requiring a personal vehicle. The nearest light rail stop, Lakewood-Wadsworth Station on the W Line, sits about 1.3 miles from the plaza, with bus routes covering the distance between the station and Belmar's shops and restaurants. The W Line continues into downtown Denver, with additional stops serving Golden and other parts of Lakewood along the route, giving residents a direct rail connection into the wider metro area.
Downtown Denver sits roughly 8 to 10 miles east of Belmar, generally a 15 to 20 minute drive via West Alameda Avenue or West 6th Avenue depending on traffic and time of day. Denver International Airport (DEN) sits farther out, about 30 miles northeast of the district, typically a 40 to 45 minute drive using Interstate 70 and Pena Boulevard. DEN operates as a major hub for United Airlines, with Southwest and Frontier Airlines also running large operations from the airport, giving residents a wide range of nonstop domestic and international flight options.
Belmar's central plaza is lined with restaurants ranging from Tstreet Roadhouse's American menu to Great Divide Brewery and Roadhouse's Colorado-brewed beer and food pairings, all within a short distance of one another. Whole Foods Market anchors the district's grocery and quick-service dining with in-store eateries Birdcall and Kikka Sushi. The Cinemark Century Bel Mar 16 and XD movie theater rounds out the entertainment mix, and the plaza itself hosts a recurring lineup of concerts, festivals, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year for residents and visitors alike.
Belmar Park, a 132 acre park close to the district, offers paved trails, an open lake, and the Heritage Lakewood history museum and amphitheater for those looking to spend time outdoors nearby. Bear Creek Lake Park, a larger regional park a short distance away, spans more than 2,600 acres with a reservoir, two smaller lakes, a designated swim beach, and trails for cycling and equestrian use. Both parks provide close-by options for outdoor recreation and open space without leaving the immediate area around Belmar.
Belmar sits within Lakewood's broader economy, which includes the Denver Federal Center, one of the region's largest federal employment campuses in the metro area, along with State of Colorado offices nearby. St. Anthony Hospital and FirstBank's headquarters add steady healthcare and finance positions to the local job market, while Terumo BCT contributes corporate and technical roles from its Lakewood headquarters. Belmar's own restaurants, retailers, and movie theater add ongoing retail and hospitality positions within the district itself, rounding out a varied local mix of employment options.
Jeffco Public Schools serves Belmar and the surrounding Lakewood area as the local public school district covering this part of the metro. The district led Colorado with 46 state performance awards from the Colorado Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year and has earned the NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education designation multiple years. Jeffco publishes detailed school-level performance data, boundary information, and accolades on its official website for those researching specific school assignments near Belmar and the surrounding area.
Belmar's plaza combines national retailers with independent shops such as A Touch of Colorado and a Whole Foods Market anchor, all within the same compact district close to one another. Nearby Colorado Mills adds a larger outlet shopping center a short drive away, giving residents a wider range of retail options close to home. The district's shops sit alongside its restaurants and entertainment venues, making errands and dining part of the same visit for those in the immediate area around Belmar's plaza.
Belmar's plaza and surrounding streets feature more than 70 public art installations, including sculptures, murals, and traffic box art, funded by the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District. The nearby 40 West Arts District adds galleries, studios, and a free outdoor ArtLine path with more than 100 additional public artworks along West Colfax Avenue, plus a recurring First Friday gallery event. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, inside adjacent Belmar Park, contributes a history museum and amphitheater with programming held throughout the year for visitors and residents alike.