Adaptive Reuse Project Planned at 3500 West 23rd Avenue
DENVER, CO – A new adaptive reuse project is being proposed in the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood, where an existing one story commercial building would be converted into a neighborhood beer garden and food hall at 3500 West 23rd Avenue. The 0.34 acre site sits at the corner of West 23rd Avenue and King Street and is currently home to a mid century auto shop that will remain in place and be completely repurposed.
Photo Sourced from “The Henry” Commercial Construction Application
According to the concept plan, the existing 2,490 square foot structure would be renovated into a beer garden featuring a self pour beverage wall and an approximately 600 square foot food vendor space inside the former shop area. The interior would be upgraded with new seating, service areas, and updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Outdoor areas would introduce expanded patio seating and site improvements to create a walkable, community focused gathering space in the heart of Sloan’s Lake.
The project does not propose any additions to the building, which will remain a single story structure capped at 14 feet. The site has zero off street parking spaces, consistent with the compact lot size and the surrounding residential blocks that support walk up commercial activity.
Earlier this year, the property completed a required environmental review. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a formal No Action Determination, confirming the site can move forward with redevelopment under state standards. This clearance removes a key barrier often faced by older commercial properties.
The project is being designed within the existing U MX 2 zoning, which supports small format neighborhood commercial uses. No rezoning is requested, and the development would retain the existing building footprint and layout while introducing a new activation and food and beverage use to the site.
The development team estimates construction could begin in early 2026 with completion targeted for spring 2026, pending city review and permitting.
Developing Denver will continue tracking this project as it moves through the concept review process.
Design Team
Owners: 3500 W 23RD LLC
Architect: Track Architecture
Engineering: Raptor Civil Engineering
All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
3 minute read • A new adaptive reuse project is planned for 3500 West 23rd Avenue in Sloan’s Lake, where an existing one story auto shop would be transformed into a neighborhood beer garden with a self pour beverage wall, food vendor space, and expanded outdoor seating