Loretto Heights

Dancers perform Edgar L. Page's "Intersection of Truth & Beauty" on one of DAV's flex stages for community programming - Jonathan Phillips Photography
 

LORETTO HEIGHTS

A New Cultural Hub

Denver Arts & Venues plans to create a new cultural hub for southwest Denver as part of the Loretto Heights Area Plan led by Westside Investment Partners, to redevelop the 72-acre historic campus. DAV's focus is on a parcel of the new mixed-use development dedicated to arts and cultural programming that includes the historic theatre and former library. This project will broaden access to the arts across Denver, attract and welcome diverse audiences, and support small arts organizations needing performance and rehearsal space.

Advancing Cultural Equity and Access
Returning the theatre to public use and building out the surrounding footprint allows us to intentionally expand to an area that has been underserved by the arts. Together with residents, we can plan spaces and programming that reflect the character and culture of the neighborhood, and the needs of artists and arts organizations.

Demonstrating that Thriving Communities Include Arts and Culture
The plan to transform the campus into a destination and gathering place includes housing, office space, cultural center and other amenities. Renovating the theatre and surrounding area will attract the creative community and neighborhood residents, benefitting the vibrancy of the new campus with space for performances, rehearsals, exhibitions, classes, etc.

Preserving Denver’s History and the Legacy of Loretto Heights
The mid-century modern building, known as the May Bonfils Stanton Theatre, is a treasured performance space that originally opened in 1963. It was the second largest and most professionally equipped theatre, making Loretto Heights a top undergraduate theatre program nationally. By restoring the theatre, we are preserving an important part of Denver’s history for future generations to enjoy.

In 2021, Denver voters approved $30M in RISE Bond funding to support the first phase of the project which includes renovation of the theatre building, outdoor/site improvements and new parking construction. DAV and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) are currently working with Pfeiffer and experts (Theatre Projects, Threshold Acoustics and Dig Studios) on the pre-design work, site and facility assessments and community and partner engagement meetings to complete the schematic design process. Councilman Kevin Flynn (District 2) continues to be a vocal proponent of the project and advocate with stakeholder and community outreach. 

The Denver Civic Arts Foundation Board and Loretto Heights Capital Campaign Committee have initiated fundraising with support from Philanthropy Experts to close the gap in funding for the first phase. Future phases that are not under the approved RISE Bond are being designed now to create a cohesive destination for the full building envelope, but construction for these elements will be on hold pending future funding sources. 

Envision the Future

Here's what the new Loretto Heights campus could look like based on this fly-through rendering created by Westside Development Partners. The visuals are for illustrative purposes only.