Construction has begun on the interior and exterior of the Wayfair store at the former Macy’s location.

Construction fencing is a common sight in Central Park these days, leading to excitement and questions about new projects in the area.

Residents of the northern end of the neighborhood  have been asking for grocery stores, and that’s what  they’re getting.

The location of the new Trader Joe’s store in Northfield.

One is the Trader Joe’s store at Avenues at Northfield, the complex formally known as The Shops at Northfield. Construction is underway for the store at 8564 E. Northfield Blvd., next to the Old Navy store.  An opening date has not been  announced for the 12,500- square-foot store, which will be accompanied by 153 existing parking spaces.

Nakia Rohde, public relations manager for the chain, said in an email, “At this time, we do not have a timeline confirmed for any stores in the area. We list all of the stores that are opening soon on our website.” As of mid-May, the Northfield store was not listed on the company site.

Just one mile away at 40th Avenue and Central Park Boulevard, work at the site of the future Whole Foods Market store is also underway. The design for the shopping complex includes the grocery store and other retailers and restaurants. The plan calls for four buildings at the site, with one being Whole Foods, and the others for future stores. The anticipated opening of the grocery store is set for 2027.

Back to more news in Northfield, where the exterior of the new Wayfair store is drawing attention from passersby. The online home goods store is planning to open a physical location in the former Macy’s store in 2026.

The new Denver location is the company’s first move into the Mountain West region. The 140,000-square-foot store will have two floors with 19 departments, from furniture and housewares to appliances, mattresses, florals, and decor, as well as dedicated areas for design services.

Nearby, there’s another sign of progress with construction on the new outdoor pedestrian area at Avenues at Northfield. “Coming soon” signs remain on the doors of a future 3 Margaritas restaurant, inside the former La Sandia Cantina space.

And plans are also underway for 216 market- rate and affordable apartments in what is now a parking lot at Avenues at Northfield.

Three miles to the southeast at the RK Mechanical site at 3800 Xanthia St., a four-story multifamily project is planned by Grand Peaks Development, with 500 market-rate apartments. A brick wall that surrounds the RK site will be removed. The company, which is relocating to a larger site at 3301 Lewiston St. in Aurora, is in the process of moving out of its Central Park site.

Detours around the work on the new pedestrian area at the Avenues at Northfield.

Other area projects to watch:

• Hanger Apartments: 220 market-rate apartments by Clear Sky Capital at 23rd Avenue and Central Park Boulevard.
• Founders Green Townhomes: A Brookfield Residential project of 40 townhome-style market-rate apartments. The three-story buildings are planned for just south of MLK Jr. Boulevard at Trenton Street.
• Habitat for Humanity Duplexes: 12 income- qualified units at E. 28th Avenue and Quebec Street.
• Central Park Station Transit-Oriented Development: three-story townhome-style market-rate apartment homes at E. 37th Place between Ulster and Uinta Streets and Smith Road from Brookfield Development.
• RTD Affordable: 100 income-qualified apartments at Ulster Street and Smith Road, a project from Ulysses Development Group.

As with all development news, timelines and projects change. Updates can be found at frontporchne.com.

A new project is planned for the RK Mechanical site where a multi- family complex will be built.

Front Porch photos by Linda Kotsaftis, graphic by Christie Gosch