DENVER, CO — Six months after a fire forced the closure of Parisi, a longtime Italian restaurant along Tennyson Street, plans are moving forward to rebuild and renovate the property, bringing updated dining spaces, exterior improvements, and a redesigned customer experience.
Exterior View of Parisi | Courtesy of Parisi
Located at 4401 Tennyson Street in Denver's Berkeley neighborhood, Parisi has operated at the corner of West 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street since 2004. The restaurant has become a neighborhood staple over the past two decades, alongside its lower-level dining space, PARISIsotto, which opened in 2006.
On May 12, 2026, a fire damaged portions of the building's roof and structure, forcing both restaurants to close. While the building remains repairable, extensive water damage from firefighting efforts required significant demolition and restoration work throughout the property. Now, newly submitted development plans provide an early look at how owner Christine Parisi intends to rebuild the restaurant while introducing several improvements to the existing space.
The proposed renovations include updated dining areas, reconfigured kitchens and bars, improvements to the restaurant's interior layout, and a redesigned storefront. Exterior plans also show new windows, additional outdoor seating, and a steel awning wrapping around the corner of Tennyson Street and West 44th Avenue.
The lower-level PARISIsotto space is also included in the renovation plans, with potential changes to how the space could be used for dining, private events, and other gatherings.
Photo of Parisi’s Margherita Pizza | Courtesy of Parisi
In correspondence with Developing Denver, Christine Parisi confirmed that the team is continuing to work through the detailed designs, with plans to introduce several improvements she has wanted to implement for years.
Beyond the physical renovations, the restaurant is also planning to introduce new technology and ordering systems intended to improve the customer experience, streamline service, and reduce wait times. Despite the proposed changes, Parisi intends to maintain its identity as an affordable, community-oriented Italian restaurant.
The project recently completed the City and County of Denver's concept-plan review process, marking another step forward as the development team continues preparing its detailed designs. Additional permits and approvals will still be required before construction can begin.
Construction has not officially begun, with work potentially starting in spring 2027. Christine Parisi recently confirmed that the team is working to accelerate the project schedule, with a new goal of reopening in November 2027. While the updated timeline appears feasible, a final reopening date has not been confirmed.
Exterior View of Parisi | Courtesy of Parisi
Despite the challenges of rebuilding, Christine remains committed to bringing Parisi back to the neighborhood it has served for more than 20 years. The project represents an opportunity to introduce long-planned improvements while preserving the restaurant's identity and preparing it for its next chapter along Tennyson Street.
Additional architectural renderings and project details are expected to become available in early 2027 as the design process continues.
Development Team:
Owner/Operator: Christine Parisi - Parisi Foods, Inc.
Architect: Adam Harding Architecture PLLC
Interior Design: FAM Design
General Contractor: Halcyon Construction
Food Service Design: W. West Equipment
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
6 minute read • Following a devastating fire in May 2026, longtime Italian restaurant Parisi is moving forward with plans to rebuild its Tennyson Street location.