Colorado Ballet Finishes Move into New Building in Denver's Art District on Santa Fe

Colorado Ballet announced today that it has completed the move into its new building at 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204. Construction on the 30,000 square foot building at the north end of Denver's Art District on Santa Fe was completed earlier this month.

In January 2013, Colorado Ballet purchased the building on Santa Fe Drive, which had been partly occupied by a sewing machine distributor and parts warehouse. In preparation for a move from the organization's home of 20 years at 13th and Lincoln-a space owned by the Colorado State Land Board-a capital campaign was initiated and major renovations ensued.

Colorado Ballet's new $6.5 million facility will host rehearsal and training studios as well administrative offices, while performances will continue to take place primarily in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Newman Center for the Performing Arts.

"The new building will encourage world-class dance to flourish in Colorado and enhance the training of the next generation of dancers," said Colorado Ballet's Artistic Director Gil Boggs. "Our new facility will also grow our outreach efforts, bringing dance to thousands of school-kids and people with disabilities. We will also host small performances and events in our new theater, exposing more people to the magic of dance in this thriving arts neighborhood."

The new facility, designed by Denver-based Semple Brown Design, features seven state-of-the-art dance studios for Colorado Ballet's professional Company and the Colorado Ballet Academy. In addition, a multi-use black box theater will function as both a dance studio and performance space equipped with theatrical lighting, sound and telescoping seats for presenting smaller performances and hosting outside groups and their events. Improved amenities for the Company also include locker rooms, showers and a physical therapy room. The new Academy location also includes safer student drop-off and increased parking in the neighborhood for Academy families. Denver-based CMC Group, Inc. was the contractor.

"The search for a new space for the Colorado Ballet has been our priority for nearly a decade, thus the long awaited opportunity to turn a quiet structure on Santa Fe Drive into a theatrical showcase for the dancers and organization has truly been an honor," said Rusty Brown, AIA, cofounder and president of Semple Brown Design. "In partnership with Artistic Director Gil Boggs and their board of directors, we're thrilled to unveil this stunning new space designed to inspire the dancers, elevate learning, and provide one of our state's artistic treasures a permanent home-all while establishing a new anchor for our city's booming Santa Fe Arts District."

"This is the first time in our nearly 54-year history that we will own our building and that is very exciting for everyone involved with Colorado Ballet," said Boggs. "We have so much to celebrate in our organization, not just the new building but also last season's record-breaking attendance and performance revenue and our upcoming season of performances."

About Colorado Ballet: Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 54 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy and Education & Outreach programs. Visitwww.coloradoballet.org.

About Semple Brown Design, PC: Semple Brown Design has built a reputation over the last 30-plus years for being one of the most respected full-service design firms in the Mountain West. Since its co-founding by Sarah Semple Brown, FAIA and Rusty Brown, AIA in 1982, the firm's genuine passion for delivering great design has resulted in some of the most prominent, award-winning projects in the state, as well as a long list of high-profile and repeat clients. The September 2012 issue of 5280 Homedescribes Semple Brown as "Denver's premiere architectural firm." Notable examples of Semple Brown's work include the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, the new Parker Arts, Culture and Events Center, the restoration of Larimer Square and renovation of Denver Pavilions and Kent Denver School's new Dining Hall. Semple Brown has also designed many of Denver's most beloved restaurants-Frasca Food & Wine, The Kitchen (Denver, Fort Collins and Chicago) and The Kitchen Next Door (Denver Union Station and Glendale CitySet), The Squeaky Bean, Coohills, Steubens and Euclid Hall to name only a few-as well as numerous Colorado residences. In recognition of its design excellence, the firm has also received more than 100 design awards from a variety of esteemed groups, including the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For further information see: www.semplebrowndesign.com.

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