The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals.
In the 1950s and ’60s, when Colfax Avenue served as the red carpet for tourists entering Denver, La Vista Motel was a popular stop along the east-west artery. Then I-70 arrived, diverting traffic and causing businesses along the roadway to decline. Built in 1956, La Vista was no exception. “This place is the nastiest, shadiest, dirtiest, unkempt place I’ve ever seen,” a Google reviewer wrote in 2017. “You’d be better off to sleep under a bridge.”
Undaunted, Nathan Beal bought the motel in 2022. In the past, Beal’s St. Bernard Properties focused on commercial and residential renovations and new builds near downtown. La Vista’s location, close to the Denver Zoo and Ogden Theatre, motivated him to take on his first hospitality project. He teamed up with restaurant design firm Xan Creative (Postino, Urban Farmer, Sweet Cooie’s) to execute the full-gut renovation. Now, the 23 guest rooms and on-site cafe/cocktail bar El Piñon balance modern amenities with retro style.
Shortly before La Vista reopened this past December, we spoke with Beal about his decision to rescue the once-shuttered motel.
Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
5280: Did the motel’s checkered past cause you any hesitation?
Nathan Beal: I talked to the neighbors around here and learned that this was definitely the issue property on this stretch of Colfax. So I knew what I was getting into. It wasn’t even operating anymore when I bought it; they were shut down by the city [after a murder investigation]. I knew I wasn’t going to let what happened before happen again. I think having more active management and having El Piñon open daily will help [curb criminal activity].
What physical condition was the motel in when you bought it?
Oh, the worst. It had bad plumbing and electrical repairs that had been spliced together over the years. There was tons of water damage and asbestos, and all the original windows were ripped out at some point and replaced with cheap vinyl versions. There was really nothing to save on the inside.
Why restore the property rather than start fresh?
I have a big heart for old stuff. It’s important to remember our past, and keeping old buildings is a great way to tell that story. I wanted to do a restoration project within the midcentury era of design—it’s nice and clean, low-scale and comfy, and you can have fun with it and be a little kitschy. I also liked how the building already sat on the site, with the L-shaped corridor and rooftop deck, and it still had the original neon sign, which was important.
Who do you envision will stay at the revived La Vista?
That younger traveler exploring Denver and the Rocky Mountain region—maybe they’re on a road trip, maybe they’re coming to town for a wedding or to see a band—and looking for a fun, unique place to stay that’s somewhat affordable [rooms start at $125 a night].
Do you think the renovation is enough to fix the hotel’s reputation?
Those old Google reviews are tough. We are having a hard time having them removed and proving we are a new and different business. I want the La Vista Motel to be a positive member of the neighborhood, where neighbors can come to connect and host friends and family. Some of the old neighbors have been stopping by and are telling me this is the first time in 30 or more years that they have come into the motel.
Read More:
