Original Building: Holiday Inn, Redlion Inn, Hotel VQ
Architectural Style: Contemporary
Architects: original unknown; Johnson Nathan Strohe Architects, rennovation
Developer: Nichols Partnership and Capitol Realty Group
Year Built: 1967; renovation 2015
Significance
Turntable Stuios is important because the structure introduced the concept of the “micro apartment” to Denver. Additionally, the building is a wonderful example of repurposing because it is a former hotel, and now contributes to the revitalization of the adjacent Jefferson Park neighborhood.
Architect
The original architects are unknown, and Johnson Nathan Strohe is the architect for the renovated space. The firm has been practicing in Denver since 1993; they have completed 432 projects and currently have five larger “tower crane” projects underway. The firm has three partners, one principal, seven sssociates, seven interior designers, and an architectural, administrative, and marketing staff of 18. Their services include housing, hospitality, renovation, and clubhouse design.
Building Characteristics
The building is a circular concrete framed, 13-story, 94,000 square-foot former hotel. The interior contains hotel rooms on the upper floors that have been converted to 179 micro-apartments, ranging in size from 330 square-foot studios to 820 square-foot two-bedroom units. The first floor has a community room, a fitness center, and an exterior swimming pool. There is onsite parking for the building residents as well as a large bicycle garage. The renovation from hotel to apartment tower was $11 million.
The exterior of the building is complete with original concrete wall panels that have been repainted. The original window openings have been reconfigured, enlarged, reframed, and reglazed. The former first floor entry porte cochere has been enclosed to make the current structure’s lobby. Other updates include new and improved electrical and plumbing systems; the building now complies with today’s safety and fire codes.
Style Characteristics
Turntable Studios is equipped with aluminum frames, opaque and tinted glass, wall panels, and contemporary paint colors to provide an aesthetic more in line with today’s style. The windows are fitted with shades that are a variety of colors on the outside and white on the room side, which provides a sense of a contemporary cladding on the exterior building walls.
The interior design uses the former hotel guest rooms as individual apartments. The units have been redone with IKEA fixtures to maximize the utilization of space. The windows were enlarged to make the rooms feel less enclosed and each unit has a Juliet balcony.
Building History
The original building was constructed adjacent to Mie High Stadium, which is the home of the Denver Broncos football team. Over time the viability and the condition of the hotel declined until it ultimately became feasible to pursue other uses for the building.
References
www.westword.com–turntable studios; http://www.nicholspartnership.com/content/turntable-studios; https://www.boutiqueapartments.com/apartments/turntable-studios/; A Round of Applause, Modern in Denver magazine, Spring 2016; http://www.jns.design/portfolio/turntable/; Kay Yedidovich and Johnson Nathan Strohe, personal interview, Jan. 2017.