Atomic Cowboy

Location: Denver, CO
Client: Drew Shader
Architect: Gould Evans
Size: 14,000 SF
Building Type: Type II
Construction: Steel roof, CMU walls

Our work on converting a historic 14,000 square-foot gymnasium (dating back to the early 1900s) into retail/office space and a restaurant. Overall, the project goal was to honor the building's stunning volume and structure, which includes a wooden barnyard-style roof and exposed load bearing brick walls. To create an inviting space that also pays homage to the pizza-biscuit combo business' other locations required removal of exterior bearing and shear walls, reinforcing floors, and the roof for updated mechanical systems. Balancing the openness desired, while maintaining an efficient retrofit, proved key in providing a well design building in the end.