Colorado Historical Society Relocation

A new location begins a new era for the Colorado Historical Society

The State of Colorado has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Principal Real Estate Investors of Des Moines, Ia., to relocate the Colorado Historical Society to the property bounded by 12th Avenue on the south, Broadway on the west and Lincoln on the east, directly south of the 1290 Broadway office building. This location will be used to build a new Colorado History Museum and Colorado Historical Society headquarters for the State of Colorado.

The plans call for transforming the property into a mixed-use space that will house a 200,000-square-foot museum building and a 200,000-square-foot commercial office building. The commercial building, which will be privately financed and leased, will include a parking structure to accommodate approximately 450 spaces.

Construction of the new museum building is estimated to cost approximately $110 million. Financing of the property acquisition, building design and construction is subject to approval of tax-exempt financing by the Colorado State Legislature. Tryba Architects, the architect of record, will design the new museum to be a LEED certified building.

“We are extremely pleased to have found a museum location that we believe will help showcase Colorado’s historic treasures while meeting the Colorado Historical Society’s goals,” said Edward C. Nichols, Colorado Historical Society president and CEO. “With this we can deliver a new world-class Colorado History Museum while allowing us to be an even better agent and resource for statewide programs, projects and initiatives.”

“We have spent two years in our search for the right location and moving only about one-half block keeps us within the Golden Triangle Museum District and the Civic Center neighborhood, which was our goal,” he said. “And, with this new building, we have an incredible opportunity to become a premier destination and place of pride for the people of Colorado and visitors to the state.”

“The Colorado Historical Society provides an educational gateway into Colorado history through History Colorado (the public programs and museums of the Colorado Historical Society), the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, and the State Historical Fund,” said W. Bart Berger, Colorado Historical Society Board Chair. “Our preservation projects and services provide very important economic and environmental benefits statewide. We look forward to reaching out to our audiences and the preservation community to discuss what new opportunities this project presents.”

Construction will begin in 2009 pending financing approval by the legislature. 

The above image is an example of how the new building could fit on the block. It is not intended to represent a design.

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