Denver’s historic jazz club El Chapultepec, affectionately known as “The Pec,” is getting a new look. Again.

When the building’s owner Montfort Companies originally decided to tear it down to make way for an outdoor patio space back in March, local preservationists with Historic Denver vowed to fight for landmark status to save the former jazz club.

But Historic Denver announced Tuesday it will withdraw its historic landmark application after finding a win-win solution with the owners to save “significant” portions of the 130-year-old building.

The redesign will keep the old brick walls and the neon sign on the corner of Market Street and 20th Street, a rendering shows, while the rest of the building structure will be replaced by glass walls offering tribute to the jazz club’s original silhouette.

It’s an example of “where there is a will, there is a way,” said Historic Denver’s CEO John Deffenbaugh.

The vacant building was struggling with deteriorations that got worse during last winter’s snowstorms — from crumbling bricks, to broken beams and sloping floors — and the Montfort Cos. emphasized it was nearly impossible to save it.

But Montfort officials met with Historic Denver several times after it filed for landmark status to find a compromise and landed on the new look saving the street corner’s architecture while still opening it up more to the street.

Deffenbaugh told the Denver Gazette that the group’s main objective has been achieved through the redesign.

“Sufficient amount of the historic-built fabric will be retained and integrated in an exciting contemporary design to ensure that those walking past this site are constantly reminded of the fantastic legacy of El Chapultepec,” Deffenbaugh said.

Something old, something new

The Montfort Cos.’ new design meets the old courtyard concept’s goal of activating the street block struggling since the pandemic with a rise in crime and homelessness.

The original intention supported by Downtown Denver Partnership was to get more eyes on the ground to make the area more vibrant.

One problem with The Pec is its four walls closed off activity from the sidewalk and barely had any windows. And it’s been vacant for years.

The redesign’s glass walls allow for more natural light and street-level participation, according to Montfort officials.

“It marries two concepts,” said Owner Kenneth Montfort, son and nephew of Colorado Rockies’ owners. Dick and Charlie Montfort are not involved with The Pec redevelopment.

“One of our goals from an operational perspective will deliver a safe and vibrant corner to a downtown and to a neighborhood that needs it now more than ever,” Montfort said, “as well as preserve the architecturally significant section of the building.”

The internationally recognized jazz club originally opened in 1933 after Prohibition and became known for being an affordable and accessible place for anyone to listen to some of the world’s greatest artists.

It attracted celebrities outside of jazz, too, such as Mick Jagger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Police, Ed Sheeran and even former President Bill Clinton.

The family that ran The Pec for decades never reopened the club after pandemic shutdowns because of growing maintenance costs and because the neighborhood changed too much since Coors Field came into town. Another Denver music venue, the Dazzle nightclub, has been hosting jazz nights to keep The Pec’s spirit alive.

Montfort Cos. bought the building in 2022 along with the Giggling Grizzly and committed to restoring The Pec until it faced problems with the building’s structural issues caused by a previous owner.

The old building it was in will instead be an extension of the neighboring restaurant. The new design features a “floating rooftop” balcony, Montfort said, extending over the silhouette of The Pec.

The building will be more food-forward in his plans to turn the area into an entertainment district, he added, to complement the surrounding area’s nightlife establishments.

What’s next for The Pec?

The new design is being submitted Tuesday to the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission.

It could take about 18 months for it to get it approved and constructed before reopening to the public, Montfort said.

The delays from the feud over the building have substantially increased costs for the developer, but “it’s something that we’re signed up for,” Montfort said.

And in the future, Montfort said he aims to include more community voices sooner in the developing process to avoid expensive delays like this again.

“This is a costly addition to the design,” Montfort said. “But again, it’s an investment that we feel is thoughtful and that will deliver something that we think will be nationally recognized.”