A woman walking her small dog on a leash across an urban street in front of a modern multistory building with a brick bottom and wooden upper floors, parked cars along the street, trees, power poles, and a cloudy sky.
A multi-story building with a red brick lower section and a rusted metal upper section, large windows, trees, streetlights, power lines, and passing cars in an urban setting at dusk.
Outdoor seating area of a restaurant or cafe in front of a red brick building with arched windows and doors. Several tables and chairs are arranged on the concrete patio, with string lights hanging overhead. Green plants are placed near the entrances
Modern multi-story building with rusted metal and glass exterior, large windows, and surrounding trees.
A modern multi-story building with a mix of brick and glass exterior during sunset, with cars parked on the street in front.
Multi-story building with a brick and rusted metal facade, large windows, and some greenery on the exterior, with parked cars and people walking in front during twilight.
A modern building with rust-colored metal siding, large windows, and a wooden fence in front, with a parking lot and parked cars in the foreground.
Front view of a modern multi-story building with large glass windows and a wooden upper facade, parked cars in front, utility poles, and a clear sky.
A modern multi-story building with a rustic, rusted metal exterior, large glass windows, and some greenery on the lower level. Several people are walking on the sidewalk in front of the building, and there are parked cars along the street.
A modern mixed-use building with a combination of brick and metal siding, large glass windows, and outdoor balcony spaces, along with a parking lot in front and a few parked cars.
A multi-story building with a brick lower section and a rusted metal upper section, situated on a street corner with parked cars and a person walking by.
Outdoor patio with four wooden tables and metal chairs in front of a brick building with large arched windows, plants, string lights, and Japanese signage.

Firehouse Mixed Use

Adaptive Reuse, Commercial Office, Restaurant

Denver, Co 2021 : 12,000 sq ft Architect of Record, Interior Design

Project Overview

The Firehouse Mixed Use is a rigorous conversion of an 1890s firehouse into a mixed-use commercial building in Denver's LoHi neighborhood. The 12,000 SF renovation and addition successfully juxtaposes the building's historical integrity with 21st-century architectural styles, transforming an aging structure into commercial office space and two restaurants. It was completed in October 2021 at 1900 W 32nd Avenue.

  • Historic Integrity & Modern Demands

    Revitalizing an elevated 1892 firehouse that had previously undergone substantial, concealing renovations, including its most recent use as an apartment building. The core challenge was to showcase the beauty of the original 19th-century brick structure while safely supporting a substantial 9,000 square-foot addition required for modern office and restaurant uses. This had to be accomplished at a five-way intersection with heavy pedestrian traffic.

  • Juxtaposition and Structural Rigor

    Inventive Structural Strategy: To safely accommodate the new uses and the weight of the addition, a new, independent structural steel frame was built inside the original building. This strategy allowed the 1890s load-bearing brick structure to remain mostly untouched, preserving useful interior space and facilitating the goal of exposing the original brick throughout the interior.

    Aesthetic and Material Honesty: The design team created a juxtaposition of 19th and 21st-century architectural styles. The modern addition utilizes a palette of minimally processed materials, such as Corten steel designed to rust to a rich brown protective coating, complementing the inherent imperfection and authenticity of the original structure. ‍ ‍

  • Community Asset and Pedestrian Engagement

    Maximized Community and Revenue Space: A significant emphasis was placed on creating an interesting circulation zone and sidewalk experience. Seventy-five percent of the building’s perimeter incorporates usable outdoor areas. This includes a large outdoor patio facing the intersection, a narrow balcony for one of the restaurant tenants, and terraced seating leading up to an adjacent beer garden.

    The project successfully transformed a piece of Denver's history into a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use asset that is deeply integrated into the neighborhood.