First Watch to build 3,500-square-foot Denver airport-area site

First Watch, a national chain serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, plans to open a new location in northeast Denver. The 3,500-square-foot restaurant will sit at 5773 N. Tower Rd., a site situated near Denver International Airport.

Galloway & Co. submitted development plans to the city in late October 2026. The proposal allocates approximately 0.84 acres for the dining establishment, which will feature 60 parking spaces. This site is part of Link 56, a 150-acre development that also includes housing and retail businesses.

The project timeline began with the acquisition of the property at the corner of East 56th Avenue and Tower Road. Kensington Development Partners, working with U.K.-based IM Properties, purchased the land last year. Kensington, founded in 2017, has developed more than 112 projects totaling over 11.3 million square feet nationwide.

Construction is currently underway on the first phase of Link 56. This initial stage involves a 150,799-square-foot Target store, 215 apartments, 170 townhomes, and additional retail space. The phase carries an estimated investment of $235 million. Once fully complete, the development will contain approximately 250,000 square feet of commercial space, 27 acres of parks, and about 2,000 residential units.

A German-based discount supermarket chain, Aldi, has also proposed a store adjacent to the First Watch location at 18453 E. 57th Ave. Aldi submitted its plans to the city earlier in 2026. First Watch currently operates more than 10 restaurants in Colorado, with locations ranging from Arvada to Colorado Springs.

Representatives from First Watch and Kensington did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.