CREJ

MARCH 2017 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \

n 1995, Denver shuttered the Stapleton Inter-

national Airport. For about two decades, its

old air traffic control tower stood vacant while

new homes, restaurants and businesses grew up

around it into what is now one of the largest urban

redevelopment sites in the country. Approximately

two years ago, Denver restaurateur Robert Thompson –

the creative inspiration behind the hip social nightlife

brand, Punch Bowl Social – announced that he would

breathe new life to the highly visible historic air con-

trol tower as his 10th Punch Bowl Social location in the

country (and second location in Colorado). Additionally,

the company will relocate its corporate headquarters into

the tower.

A minority of locals was perplexed as to why Stapleton

chose to keep an abandoned airport tower rather than demolish it to

make additional space for housing or commercial development. How-

ever, other neighbors and City Council members had plenty of ideas for

ways the tower could be used, and they enthusiastically supported an

adaptive reuse project that would keep the airport legacy of Stapleton

and preserve the character of the neighborhood. Denver has a strong

foundation in adaptive reuse and historic preservation, so it’s no surprise

the Stapleton community as eager to find a solution for the tower. How-

ever, finding the right purpose and a willing project owner is easier said

than done.

In fact, the challenge of what to do with abandoned airports is not

uncommon. Denver is among many cities that have shuttered airports

over the years. According to CBS News, every state in the U.S. has at least

one abandoned tower or airport, many of which have been replaced by

new, larger airports with advanced amenities andmore room for growth.

Cities around the world have found uses for old airport buildings:

New York’s former Galeville Military Airfield, once buzzing with activity

during World War II, is now a wildlife refuge. London’s Croydon Airport

closed in 1959, but the original terminal building has since been repur-

posed as a museum and visitor center. Kai Tak International Airport in

Hong Kong closed in 1998, and portions of the former runway have since

been successfully transformed into a cruise ship terminal – adapting the

idea of travel and tourism from air to sea.

These examples showcase the myriad ways airports can be used, but

also highlight how different Punch Bowl Social is in adopting a project

Rebecca

Stone, AIA

Managing

principal,

OZ Archi-

tecture