An Arapahoe Square building that once primarily served as storage for Porsches and collectible cars is expected to get a brewery, an escape room and a restaurant later this year.
Vanwest Partners shelled out $3 million for the nearly 102-year-old spot at 2200 California Street last May. The Denver-based developer is hoping the location will be the latest draw in the rapidly changing Five Points area.
The building is being redeveloped now and expected to be ready for an Escapology franchise location, Woods Boss Brewing Co. and a paint-and-sip spot to start their build out during the spring. Vanwest is also in talks to bring a coffee shop and possibly a restaurant to the 18,588-square-foot location.
"There's a lot of synergy between all those tenants," said Forrest Bassett, director of commercial brokerage for the company. "We see the coffee shop doing a collaborative beer with the brewery, and the escape room bringing in corporate events and driving a lot of foot traffic to this area that hasn't had heavy foot traffic for quite some time."
At least one of the eight beer taps Escapology plans to feature in its space will pour brews from Woods Boss Brewing Co., said Tina Ronder.
Ronder expects to open the steampunk-themed Escapology location with her husband, Victor, during the summer. The roughly 6,100 square feet the Ronders are leasing will be set aside for seven puzzle rooms, a lounge area, bar and restaurant space.
"I would describe it as a live version of the game 'Clue.' You are given briefing video of a specific theme then you go in the room and solve puzzles by unlocking clues," Tina Ronder said.
Escapology is expected open around the same time as the Woods Boss Brewing Co. The brewery is being started by brewer Jordan Fink and Denver-based entrepreneur Chad Moore.
"Five Points has an amazing cultural history," Moore said. "We hope to really become a part of the community and that the community will welcome us there."
Woods Boss is expected to have 16 taps and a focus on environmental awareness and passion for the outdoors.
"We don't specialize in a type of beer," Moore said. "We just specialize in beer."
Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
