New First Watch restaurant proposed near Denver International Airport

First Watch plans to open a restaurant in northeast Denver near Denver International Airport.

Plans submitted to the city by Galloway & Co. in late October show the 3,500-square-foot restaurant will be at 5773 N. Tower Rd. within Link 56, a 150-acre development that will include housing and retail businesses.

The site will occupy approximately 0.84 acres and include 60 parking spaces.
Concept plans of a proposed First Watch restaurant location at 5773 N. Tower Rd. The plans were submitted to the city on Oct. 23, 2026, by Galloway & Co. (Image courtesy of City and County of Denver records)

The national restaurant chain serves breakfast, brunch and lunch at more than 680 restaurants in 33 states. In Colorado, the chain operates more than 10 restaurants, with locations spanning from Colorado Springs to Arvada.

Kensington Development Partners, in partnership with U.K.-based IM Properties, acquired the 150-acre property last year at the corner of East 56th Avenue and Tower Road.

Construction is underway on the first phase of Link 56, which includes 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 completed, Link 56 is expected to include approximately 250,000 square feet of commercial space, 27 acres of parks and open space, and about 2,000 residential units.
An image of the proposed First Watch restaurant location at 5773 N. Tower Rd. within Link 56, a 150-acre mixed-use development. (Image courtesy of Kensington Development Partners Link 56 brochure).

German-based discount supermarket chain Aldi has also been proposed right next to the new First Watch location at 18453 E. 57th Ave., based on plans submitted to the city earlier this year.

Founded in 2017, Kensington focuses on acquiring, developing, and redeveloping retail and mixed-use projects across the United States, according to its website.

The firm has developed over 112 projects and more than 11.3 million square feet.

Representatives from First Watch and Kensington did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

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