New Renderings Reveal Vision for Community Beer Garden at Former Sloan's Lake Gas Station

DENVER, CO – New renderings have been released for a proposed adaptive reuse project that would transform a former gas station and auto repair shop at 3500 West 23rd Avenue into a community-focused beer garden and food hall in Sloan's Lake.

Located at the corner of West 23rd Avenue and King Street, the one-story brick building has served several purposes over the decades, operating first as a full-service gas station and repair shop before later becoming an art gallery and studio. Rather than demolishing the structure, the development team plans to preserve the building and repurpose it into a neighborhood gathering space centered around food, beverages, and outdoor community activity.

Exterior Rendering of W 23rd Ave | Rendering by Track Architecture

According to project plans, the approximately 2,490-square-foot building would be converted into a beer hall featuring a self-pour beverage wall offering beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages. The interior would also include a dedicated food vendor space, kitchen facilities, storage, and support areas. The project narrative describes the development as an effort to create a community-oriented destination while maintaining the character and industrial heritage of the existing structure.

One of the most significant changes would occur outside the building. Existing parking areas would be transformed into a combination of covered and uncovered patio space designed for gathering and recreation. Current plans show approximately 1,253 square feet of covered patio seating and an additional 1,416 square feet of uncovered outdoor space, creating more than 2,600 square feet of outdoor gathering areas. The development team has also indicated plans for lawn games, fire pits, communal tables, food trucks, and landscaped gathering areas intended to encourage neighborhood activity and walkability.

The adaptive reuse project follows a lengthy environmental review process tied to the property's history as a gas station. After completing site investigations and soil testing through the Colorado Petroleum Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund program, the property received a formal No Further Action determination from the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety in July 2025. The determination confirmed that petroleum-related contaminants were below state risk thresholds and that no additional remediation would be required before redevelopment could proceed.

Interior Rendering of W 23rd Ave | Rendering by Track Architecture

Project documents state that the development will prioritize pedestrian access and alternative transportation, reflecting its location within walking and biking distance of Sloan's Lake and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Existing building elements will largely remain intact, with improvements focused on accessibility, landscaping, utility upgrades, and outdoor activation.

The project is proposed under the site's existing U-MX-2 zoning and would not require a rezoning request. The building would remain a single-story structure while preserving much of its original footprint and architectural character. According to Thrive Development Co., construction is expected to begin later this year.

Development Team

• Developer: Thrive Development Co.

• Owner: 3500 W 23rd LLC

• Architect: Track Architecture

• Civil Engineer: Raptor Civil Engineering

• Landscape Architect: Troy Noser, RLA, CID

• Interior Design: Crystal Russell

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.