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The iconic tan-brick hotel building at the corner of Cooper Avenue and 7th Street in Glenwood Springs is no stranger to identity shifts. Throughout its nearly century-and-a-half-long history, it’s been known as Denver Rooms, Star Hotel, and most recently Hotel Denver. This spring, it debuted its newest moniker, Hotel Maxwell Anderson, along with a new look.
Denver’s Wild Muse Interiors was at the helm of the historic building’s renovation, which began just over a year ago and includes a complete remodel of the grand lobby, a refresh of the existing 73 guest rooms, and the addition of 17 new guest rooms. “This hotel has so many stories to share, which have been cobbled together over the last century, so the design intent was clear to us from the beginning: to create a space in which storied history and modern luxury artfully combine,” says Christina Skopliak, cofounder at Wild Muse. Here’s how she ushered the hotel into a new chapter while embracing its historic past.
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The Name
What was updated: The building’s long-time identity as the Hotel Denver changed, in part, to mitigate confusion: Guests often assumed the hotel was located in the Mile High City rather than some 150 miles west in Glenwood Canyon. While the new name has familial ties to the Tony Sherman, owner of Terrapin Investments and co-owner of the hotel, it bears no direct historical significance. Created as a nod to the coal mining and railroad history in the area, Maxwell Anderson is a fictional train conductor who rode the rails of the Denver and Rio Grande—the first line to reach the town in 1887.
What was preserved: Relics of the Hotel Denver moniker remain in the building though. Most notably, a bold, red-block-letter sign with the former name hangs on a wall in the lobby. “We wanted to preserve [the hotel’s] much-loved charm and appeal by carefully stitching together an aesthetic in which the old and new occupy the same space,” Skopliak says.
The Grand Lobby
What was updated: Skopliak traded old iron furniture that was better suited for an outdoor patio for plush leather couches and chairs that cozy up to a 22-foot-tall stone fireplace. Rich gray and wood tones took the place of the previous red, blue, and creamy yellow color palette, and patterned gray tile replaced the existing light-wood floors. For a nod to the building’s storied past, a mix of historical photos of the Glenwood area and modern art pieces now line the walls.
What was preserved: Skopliak didn’t touch the glossy white coffered ceilings at the hotel’s entrance to maintain their beauty and historic character. She also kept several antique conversation pieces intact, including a wooden telephone booth and a grandfather clock.
The Guest Rooms
What was updated: In the guest rooms—which start at $179 per night in July—fresh coats of white and navy paint brighten up the previously dark and dated spaces, while new beds with chic gray-and-tan plaid headboards add a touch of Colorado sophistication.
What was preserved: Skopliak kept the original hardwood floors, exposed brick on the walls, and colorful old tile in the bathrooms—charming touches that contrast with the new furnishings. And like the Hotel Denver, most of the guest rooms are pet friendly for an additional $50 per stay.
