Tollgate Crossing

Flanked by the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, the Aurora Reservoir, the Southlands shopping center and highly regarded Cherry Creek Schools locations, Tollgate Crossing provides homebuyers with a proverbial buffet of Southeast Aurora’s best offerings. “A lot of buyers like Tollgate Crossing because it’s a great alternative to the million-dollar homes farther down Smoky Hill Road,” says Heather Henry, a local broker associate with EXIT Realty DTC. “Here, you still get proximity to Southlands, but homes start in the $600,000 range so they’re more attainable for a lot of people.”

Tollgate Crossing’s traditional homes feature artful stone and brickwork, creating a natural feel. Covered front entryways are framed by square stone columns, and most homes include a wide driveway that leads to a multi-car garage. Some homes come complete with energy-efficient solar panels already installed, while others offer a bit of shade from mature trees in the front yard. Pride of ownership is evident here in the form of pristine lawns and well-thought-out gardens, which add a touch of color to the streets in spring and summer and create a beautiful backdrop for residents who enjoy taking a morning stroll along the wide sidewalks. And if you’re not ready for one of the four-bedroom detached homes, you can find three-bedroom townhomes for under $500,000 closer to the highway.

No matter which style of home you choose, you’ll be living within the boundaries of one of the most highly sought-after school districts in the Denver metro area. As part of the Cherry Creek School District, Buffalo Trail Elementary maintains a grade of A- on Niche and sits within walking distance for many residents. Students can move on to attend Sky Vista Middle School, which maintains a grade of B+ on Niche and offers exciting electives such as multimedia production and robotics. At Cherokee Trail High School, which proudly boasts a grade of A on Niche, students can travel the world with the highly regarded band, which often participates in international performance tours in England and Ireland.

But you don’t have to be in the band to enjoy short trips closer to home. At the Aurora Reservoir, you can relax with a calm walk along the paved and natural trails in between sunbathing sessions on the sandy shore. Just down the road, the newly opened Aurora Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse is now a regional destination for swimming and fitness, and Henry notes that the center itself has become a big draw for homebuyers in this area. In summer, you can experience a local tradition by attending the Arapahoe County Fair, which is held right next door to the community. “The fair always runs over Fourth of July weekend, and if you live in Tollgate Crossing, you’ll have a front-row seat to the fireworks show,” Henry says. And with trails that lead directly from the neighborhood to the fairgrounds, you can easily attend one of the many trade shows or other events held here throughout the year.

Follow those same trails back into the neighborhood to reach Tollgate Crossing Neighborhood Park, where a steep orange slide resting on a hillside made of artificial turf gives kids a thrill. Climbing up the anchored rope, you’ll catch sight of the fenced tennis and pickleball courts, which are also bordered by a brand-new extreme obstacle course. “The kids really like the agility course, and you’ll see them practicing parkour all the time,” Henry notes. At the nearby Tollgate Crossing Community Park, a classic green and sand-colored playground with a twisting slide delights the community’s younger children. And at the heart of the neighborhood, the local pool provides refreshing relief from the hot summer sun.

Children will also find a thrilling splash pad and playground at Southlands shopping center, which is just a few miles south of the neighborhood. As Southeast Aurora’s premier shopping and dining destination, Southlands has just about everything you need, from bulk groceries at Sam’s Club to electric bikes at Pedego. Quench your thirst with a cool drink from Bent Barley Brewing Company or try something new at local favorites like Monsoon Cuisine of India. Surrounded by so many hot spots, Tollgate Crossing offers a convenient home base for homebuyers who really want to take advantage of all that Southeast Aurora has to offer.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Karl Brewick

Video By

Kellan Beaver