The historic Barth Hotel, built in 1882, will be redeveloped into senior housing with support from a low-interest loan of up to $6 million approved by the Denver Downtown Development Authority.
The Barth Hotel will reopen as housing for lower-income seniors earning 30% to 50% of Denver’s area median income. The project will create 50 new residential units under an existing affordability covenant.
The authority announced Tuesday that the project is also applying for federal and state historic tax credits, which may reduce the amount of the DDA loan. Construction is expected to start in 2027.
“A vibrant downtown is a downtown for everyone. That means ensuring Denver stays affordable for those who have long called this city home,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
The Barth Hotel, 1514 17th St., is listed in federal and state historic registers and is a designated a Denver landmark. After its early years as a hotel, the building operated for approximately 45 years as an assisted living facility, which closed in 2024.
The remodel will convert the former assisted living facility, which featured small rooms with shared bathrooms, into larger studio apartments, each containing a kitchen and a private bathroom.
The project will also improve building common areas, add air conditioning, install new elevators, and upgrade the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The renovated building will be all-electric, according to the Tuesday announcement.
“We are so appreciative of the investment of the DDDA into this important building that supports the diversity of Downtown Denver and can welcome seniors back to the neighborhood,” said Susan Powers, President of Urban Ventures LLC and part of the Barth Hotel redevelopment team.
The development team included Eaton Senior Communities, Shopworks Architecture, Deneuve Construction and Urban Ventures Development Services.
Approved by voters in 2008 and 2024, the authority seeks to redevelop downtown through strategic investments guided by its Plan of Development.
Since March 2025, the DDA has approved more than $170 million in funding across 15 projects, supporting downtown retail and entertainment destinations, parks and public spaces, and housing projects across a range of price points.
The DDA is governed by a seven-member board that includes the City Council president, with other members appointed by the mayor to four-year terms.
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