What’s Going on at the Rock Island?

One of the few buildings in Lower Downtown Denver that hasn’t received a complete makeover during the historic district’s restoration/conversion spree of the last 20 years has been the building at 1614 15th Street, next to the Wazee Supper Club. You’ll probably know this building as the Rock Island, with the black painted front entrance, the occasional alien spaceship, angel/devil, or giant bug clinging to the building’s upper facade, and the popular Rock Island nightclub with the intriguing logo:

You know, this building here:

Well, that’s all about to change. Thanks to the St. Charles Town Company, the building is getting a complete renovation and new uses. I’ll let the St. Charles Town Company describe the project in their own words:

“In December 2006 St. Charles Town Co. purchased the Rock Island Building at 1614 15th Street, which is a turn-of-the-century brick building fronting 15th Street between Wazee and Wynkoop streets in the Lower Downtown Historic District of Denver. Redevelopment plans call for the creation of a mixed-use project consisting of high-end office space above a ground floor restaurant or bar/nightclub. 10,000 square feet of highly-efficient office space is currently available on the top two floors, which is divisible to 5,000 square feet per floor with direct elevator access. The building will be ready for occupancy during the fall/winter of 2007.

The four-story building was originally constructed in 1890 and was one of several warehouses occupied by the Studebaker Carriage & Wagon Company. In 1986, the building was purchased by a group of early Lower Downtown real estate speculators, who installed a nightclub on the basement and first floors to offset building costs. No substantial renovation has occurred in the building since 1986.

St. Charles Town Co. is planning a complete overhaul of the building, which will have 23,464 rentable square feet upon completion. Renovations will include some structural repair, which will primarily include replacing the front windows and restructuring of the roof. The extensive structural work on the roof will remedy past fire damage, and also allow the roof to carry modern rooftop mechanical systems. To that end, the entire existing mechanical system will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art HVAC system. Other major systems that will be reworked and brought up to code include both the electrical and fire safety sprinklers.

The interior of the building will be refurbished from top to bottom with new bathroom cores, lighting, lobby, and elevator system. Exterior restoration work will include stripping the paint off the front façade and tuck pointing/replacing damaged mortar/bricks. The goal of this project is to incorporate the amenities of a modern commercial structure, while both maintaining and enhancing the building’s charm by returning the structure to its original glory. Spectrum is the general contractor, and the total project costs will be $8 million.”

The building has been looking rather rough around the edges for many years, so this is great to see; although I’m a little sad that the Rock Island has closed. It certainly was a LoDo institution. Rock Island was one of the few LoDo businesses that started back in the days when Lower Downtown was known for its grit and grime and nether regions “under the viaducts” and managed to survive well into the trendy LoDo of today. But, I’m also looking forward very much to the new-and-improved Rock Island building after the renovations, and to the new energy it will add to the 1600 block of 15th Street.

Here are some photos taken recently during the interior demolition work: