In 2000 the house next to mine was a Victorian converted to 8 apartments. A huge money maker. The owner decided he wanted to do some renovations and hired two Mexicans to knock down a brick bearing wall on the 1st floor and throw the bricks in the alley. City building inspector saw the work, investigated and building was deemed uninhabitable so tenants had to move out. Owner let it go back to the bank. Bought by a contractor who set out to tear it down, disconnecting gas, water and sewer. removing all kitchens, baths etc and hired a demolition company. We live in an historic district. City stopped the demolition. House went back to the lender. House then bought be two naive women partnered with an Irish contractor. He jacked up the whole 1890's Victorian and put a new foundation under the west side, removed the beautiful oak staircase for refinishing. Started work on interior. Contractor and women have falling out. House goes back to lender. Bought by another renovator. He puts on new roof, begins interior framing, runs out of money. House goes back to lender. House bought by two contractors who intended to turn it into three townhomes. They complete framing, paint, do all rough in plumbing and electric. City determines house has been empty too long to retain it's multi-family status and revert it to a single family. Contractors get pissed at each other and give up. House goes back to bank. House sits empty for a couple of years. House bought by a team of young investors with more grandiose plans. Don't know what happened to them but after a year they sold it at a loss to an old man hoping to flip it in the same condition for a profit. He tries to sell if for a year. Eventually sells it for a loss to a contractor. He has spent the last six months finishing the electric and plumbing, rebuilding the staircase (which is long gone), sheetrocking, landscaping, new hardwood floors, new furnace/AC. He disappeared about six weeks ago. Today I see a new face next door, stop by to talk. House has gone back to the lender. He's trying to figure out what to do.
I doubt such a string of real estate investment fiascos are associated with any other single property in Denver. I figure that well over 200k in labor and materials have been put into that house in this period independent of the string of losses to banks and investors. As I write the sewer line still sits disconnected 20' underground.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13