First Watch to Join Link 56 Development Near Denver Airport

A New Breakfast Hub Emerges Near Denver International Airport

The landscape surrounding Denver International Airport is undergoing a rapid transformation, shifting from expansive open space to a dense hub of commerce and residential living. The latest addition to this growth is a proposed 3,500-square-foot First Watch restaurant, which is set to occupy a slice of the 150-acre development known as Link 56. According to plans submitted to the city on October 23, 2026, by the firm Galloway & Co., the new breakfast, brunch, and lunch destination will be located at 5773 N. Tower Rd.

This project is part of a much larger, $235 million investment into the northeast Denver corridor. Kensington Development Partners, working alongside the U.K.-based firm IM Properties, acquired the site at the corner of East 56th Avenue and Tower Road last year. Their vision for the property is significant: once fully realized, Link 56 is expected to house approximately 2,000 residential units, 250,000 square feet of commercial space, and 27 acres of dedicated parkland.

The Economic Mechanics of Link 56

The arrival of a national chain like First Watch—which currently operates more than 680 locations across 33 states—is a bellwether for the area’s shifting demographics. In Colorado, the brand already has a footprint of over 10 locations, ranging from Arvada to Colorado Springs. Its placement at Link 56 suggests that developers are banking on a steady influx of residents and travelers who require accessible, mid-market dining options near the airport transit corridor.

The scale of the development is reflected in the current construction phase, which includes a 150,799-square-foot Target store, 215 apartments, and 170 townhomes. The addition of the 0.84-acre restaurant site, complete with 60 parking spaces, serves as a retail anchor for the residential components. For local commuters and airport-adjacent workers, the project represents a transition from a transit-only zone to a functional neighborhood.

Market Competition and Future Development

The First Watch proposal is not happening in a vacuum. Plans submitted earlier this year indicate that the German-based discount supermarket chain Aldi is also slated for the immediate vicinity at 18453 E. 57th Ave. This clustering of retail and service businesses is a classic move for developers like Kensington, which was founded in 2017 and has since managed over 112 projects totaling more than 11.3 million square feet. By pairing a high-traffic grocery store with a breakfast destination, the developers are creating a self-sustaining ecosystem designed to capture the daily spending of new area residents.

Paris france august the link tower in construction at esplanade de la defense

While the prospect of new amenities is generally viewed as a positive for residential growth, the rapid urbanization of the area around Tower Road brings the typical challenges of traffic density and infrastructure strain. As of November 7, 2026, representatives from both First Watch and Kensington Development Partners have remained quiet regarding the specific timeline for the restaurant’s opening, as neither responded to requests for comment.

The broader question remains whether this rapid expansion can keep pace with the demand for housing and services in the Denver metro area. For now, the site at 5773 N. Tower Rd. remains a focal point for a development strategy that prioritizes high-density, mixed-use utility over the traditional suburban sprawl that previously defined this part of the city.

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