‘We're cooking up something big': El Chapultepec find architects for historic jazz venue
DENVER (KDVR) — The owners of El Chapultepec, a locally renowned historic jazz venue in downtown Denver, have a newfound excitement and goals in mind after selecting architects for the renovation project.
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The venue, located at 1962 Market St., hosted icons from Frank Sinatra to Mick Jagger over nearly nine decades in business before it closed in 2020. Monfort Companies purchased El Chapultepec and the neighboring Giggling Grizzly properties in 2022 with the intent to tear the deteriorating buildings down.
However, the community came together to save the historic club from demolition, and Historic Denver joined the effort and filed for a landmark designation. Eventually, Historic Denver and the new owners reached a compromise to bring new life to the deteriorating building while preserving its historic value.
Renovation plans were approved by the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission in October 2024, however, Matt Runyon, Director of Business Development at Monfort Companies, told FOX31 in a phone call interview Wednesday that some changes have since been made, and the plans will need approval again.
But the changes have sparked motivation and brought a newfound sense of excitement for those working on the project.
Runyon said that after months of planning, going back and forth with ideas and tedious logistical work, planners working on the project started to lose steam.
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'After the protracted kind of battle that we went through, I think on the project in general, we were kind of feeling like the project was feeling fatigued. I was fatigued, you know, some of our consultants were fatigued, and I think it started to show through and get some of our efforts we were putting into the project,' Runyon said.
He said that as 2024 came to a close, he knew some new blood was necessary for the project, as the next phase is 'critical for not just us, but I think the city.'
The owners told FOX31 that Denver-based 4240 Architecture has been selected as the architect of record for the project. The architects include Principal Matt Cecere, Senior Associate Jen Nieman and Lauren Sharpe.
The architecture group has worked on various projects like resorts, multifamily units, commercial offices, residential homes, university buildings and more. Several of their projects have won awards, including recognition with Michelin Guide Keys.
'We were very thoughtful about making sure we went with a group that both the reputation of having a solid product, but also someone I've worked with and been able to view their project so we can make sure were putting our best foot forward,' Runyon said.
Runyon said he found the architects through another project that he has been consulting.
'They're putting together what I would consider to be a high-end convenience location and a bodega, similar to what you might find in New York,' he said.
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Nieman was the architect on that project, and Runyon said he was impressed when he saw her work. He said she was great to work with and hence selected 4240 Architecture for the project.
Local architects Chris Shears, SAR Plus, and Richard Farley are still helping with the plans from behind the scenes. Runyon said their experience and expertise continue to help planners with ideas and advice.
Since the plans were approved, some changes have been made. Runyon said last year, they were striving for plans that would get through a commission hearing. But now that they have had time to investigate and do some studies at the site, they concluded that some changes would be better than the original plan.
Updated plan renderings are not yet available, but Runyon described changes to these previously approved plans:
An outdoor courtyard was going to be enclosed with walls, but Runyon said they opted instead to use skylights to enclose that space for a more operable space and to bring in the sunshine. He added that there will be a roof deck there.
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Previous plans required a wall of glass windows at the top of an outdoor staircase due to fire code. However, Runyon explained that they were able to reconfigure plans that align with fire code and reposition the staircase so that it is not a big bulky piece in the front. This allowed them to remove the windows from the roof deck to allow for a more open-air space.
He said planners kept in communication with Historic Denver to make sure they were on board with the plans.
'I will say that we're not quite ready to announce what the future holds for the inside of the space that relates to the program, but we're cooking up something big, and we're excited about it,' Runyon said.
He said they are working with other groups for things like contracting work and landscaping.
'This is a major, major project. And I think it's awesome, too, that there's so many hands involved, a lot of people in the local community working on this very local project that's important to local people,' he said.
With the new changes, Runyon said they are preparing updated documents to be submitted for approval by the committee, which is expected to happen in early April. He added that nothing is confirmed, but they hope to break ground on the project in the second quarter of this year.
Runyon said they are doing everything in their power to open up next year and said he thinks there's no better time to open the doors than right in time for baseball season.
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The timeline depends on how quickly the many other parts of the process go along.
'I think there's a bit of nostalgia that plays a role in their efforts here. And I think it, and I think it's really shown through in their level of effort in terms of getting any deadlines and stuff like that. I think people are excited to work on this project for sure,' Runyon said.
In the meantime, planners, architects and engineers are preparing for the next steps and perfecting the plan as much as they can to ensure the smoothest process possible.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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