the savoy story
location
The Savoy Denver occupies the second floor of a Victorian building on the corner of 27th and Arapahoe street in Denver, Colorado.
Built in1889 in the historic Curtis Park neighborhood of Five Points.
The second floor was used historically as a private social club with a dance floor/social space, lobby, and lounge.
A short walk from Coors Field, adjacent to the RiNo Arts and Entertainment District, the building was renovated in 2021.
bourne hall
The actual building permit dates to 1889. The original owner was John Bourne, according to historic records. The building was part of the Story and Appleton addition to the City of Denver. The permit states that it was a two-story structure and cost $9,000 to build. A single name, "Scholtz", is listed as the architect. The legal designation is L15 and 16, Block 48.
Sanborn Fire Insurance maps from 1890 show the 3 lower units labeled "Stores", one of which is labeled "Drugs".”
Note: the City of Denver Directories and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps indicate the property historically included the even-numbered addresses between 2700 and 2708 Arapahoe St.
1904 maps show a "Bakery" on the first floor and a brick oven is identified as an outbuilding in the back. A drugstore is located in one of the lower units. The 2nd floor is listed as "Hall".
Note: The second floor is consistently labeled "Hall" on these maps until 1936.
occupants
The social hall on the second floor was transferred to "The Danish Hall Association" in 1907. There is an article that appeared in the Svensk-Amerikanska Western Newspaper on April 2, 1908, announcing that the Choral Society Orpheus had moved its headquarters to "The Danish Hall" where they would have an improved "exercise room" (better in "space and convenience" than the old one) for rehearsing, which would bode well for their upcoming concert. Everyone was "eager'' to hear the Choral Society's rehearsals.
Mrs Celia Lub, a grocer, consistently appears in the City Directory from 1910 until 1934 in unit 2700 Arapahoe. Several other grocers are listed in this unit: John Burdette Bush, 1935-1938; Raymond Vigar, 1939; Anthony Bongiorno, 1940-1945; The 27th Street Grocery 1945.
From 1948 until 1975, the 2700 unit becomes a Rodelle vanilla extract factory. More about Rodelle here:
Illini Industries (extract-candy manufacturers) begins to occupy the 2702 unit in 1948 and is listed there until 1966.
Fire Insurance maps specify "Flavoring Extract Factory, all units" in 1974.
Note: The building addresses (2700-2008) are combined in records after 1970 and are referred to as 2700 Arapahoe St.
The property is referred to as "Residential" and a Photography studio in 1980.
It is converted into "Apartments" in 1985-1995.
In 1999, a coffee house called "The Vanilla Factory Coffee Co" is located in the building.
In 2004, several businesses are listed: Dance for Today; Grass Roots Neighborhood Development; Laura Manthey Design; Seasons Mind and Fitness; Sid LLC; Urban Roadhouse; Vanilla Coffee Co.
In 2013, Mark Regan Salsa is listed as an occupant until 2017.
The building was bought by Toe Tapping Shiva, LLC, in 2009, and the 2nd-floor ballroom was re-instated.
Since 2018, the building has been owned and renovated by the Frank Family.