National Western Center Plans $185M Expansion Across 17 Acres in North Denver
DENVER, CO – Updated development plans outline a major new phase of construction at the National Western Center, detailing approximately $185 million in site development across more than 17 acres of the campus in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood.
The Site Development Plan shows a multi-building expansion designed to further transition the National Western Center from a primarily seasonal venue into a year-round destination for events, hospitality, and community programming. In total, the proposal includes more than 726,000 square feet of new construction, with buildings covering roughly 52 percent of the site.
Renderings Provided by National Western Center
A New Equestrian and Events Campus
At the center of the plan is a large equestrian complex featuring a multi-level arena and stables designed to support major indoor events throughout the year. The equestrian center reaches up to 110 feet in height and is supported by multiple concourse and event levels intended to accommodate large crowds and flexible programming.
Surrounding the equestrian complex, the plans also call for a nine-story hotel with a listed height limit of approximately 180 feet. The hotel is designed to support on-site events and provide additional lodging capacity directly adjacent to the campus.
A five-story parking garage and additional surface parking are also included, bringing total on-site parking to approximately 1,121 spaces. The parking facilities are planned to include EV-ready infrastructure and secure bicycle parking to support multimodal access.
Renderings Provided by National Western Center
Community, Urban Agriculture, and Public Space
Beyond large-scale event infrastructure, the project also includes a one-story community and urban agriculture building. Plans show greenhouse space with a polycarbonate roof, grow rooms, and areas intended for community programming and educational use.
A pedestrian promenade runs through the site, linking the new buildings with public plazas, seating areas, and gathering spaces. This internal circulation spine is designed to improve walkability across the campus and activate the site outside of Stock Show season.
The plan also preserves and reuses the historic Armour Building, which will be repurposed for restaurant, arts, and pre-function event space rather than demolished. The reuse of the Armour Building continues the broader campus strategy of blending historic structures with new development.
Renderings Provided by National Western Center
Timeline and Project Team
Construction is planned as a phased effort, with work expected to continue through late 2027. As plans move forward, this phase represents another major step in the long-term redevelopment of the National Western Center into a year-round civic, cultural, and event destination for Denver.
Development Team:
Owner: City and County of Denver
Architect: Perkins&Will
Landscape Architect: Design Workshop
Civil Engineer: Martin/Martin
Surveyor: David A. Wilson, Flatirons, Inc.
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.
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