historic denver hotel to get major makeover

One of the oldest hotels in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood could soon be seeing an extensive upgrading that will add to its square footage and create both new restaurant and lounge space.

The Rossonian Hotel was built in 1912 and in its prime hosted such music legends as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday.

Located at the southwest corner of 27th and Weldon Street, the triangular-shaped brick building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places list in 1995.

The Rossonian, in a neighborhood that was once known as the “Harlem of the West,” went into decline in the 1970s as Five Points residents moved to other parts of the city, finally entering foreclosure some two decades ago after an earlier attempt to renovate it came to nothing.

But now, the Denver-based Palisade Partners, which purchased the property last summer for around $6 million, wants to bring the hotel back to life adding a new fourth story floor with seven rooms, and basement jazz club.

A ground floor combined bar and eatery will be called Chauncey’s in honor of project partner and Denver Nuggets basketball star Chauncey Billups.

Craine Architecture of Denver is the announced designer for the Rossonian upgrade. 

The project is currently being reviewed by the City of Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission, as well as the Denver Community Planning and Development Department.

By Garry Boulard