More LoDo Love

Larimer Square (photo courtesy of DMCVB)

My late-August jaunt was such a flash trip to Denver that I didn’t have time to hit my favorite haunts, most of which are located in LoDo, Denver’s historic Lower Downtown, a 26-block area between the main part of downtown and Union Station.  This section is fun to explore by foot so that you can best take in its abundance of high western Victorian buildings, many of which house interesting stores, art galleries, restaurants, bars and hotels.

Lobby of The Oxford Hotel

When possible, I like to step into the lobby at The Oxford Hotel and breathe in its wonderful western flair; it always leaves me imagining how easterners felt arriving here a hundred years ago.  “It’s an example of authenticity,” says Dana Crawford, referring to this handsome space filled with distinguishing features such as a large marble reception desk, brass lamps and artwork in the spirit of the West.  As one of our country’s leading preservationists, Dana was not only the driving force behind the restoration of The Oxford Hotel, but she has also been pivotal in the entire revitalization of LoDo, a project that began in the fifties with Larimer Square and continues today with the billion dollar development of light rail coming to Union Station and the restoration of this landmark site.  It is largely thanks to Dana that LoDo became one of the most handsome and historic revitalized areas of America.

Hotel Teatro Lights Up LoDo

Hotel Teatro represents the new face of LoDo as well as Denver’s vibrant arts scene.  Housed within an historic building and situated across the street from The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Hotel Teatro exudes a marvelous Commedia dell’Arte feeling that is both warm and welcoming and highly sophisticated.  “It feels like a private residence,” says David Craig, General Manager of Hotel Teatro.

Teatro Wall Art

It is indeed a glorious palladio, beautifully decorated with costumes, masks and posters, all of which accent the hotel’s swank, luxurious décor.  If you do stop in here, be sure to take in the magnificent theater costumes and props showcased downstairs.  Hotel Teatro is also a home away from home for many renowned artists, so you never know who you might run into here.  I can imagine myself sitting in the corner booth at Prima Ristorante, one of the hotel’s two restaurants operated by renowned chef Kevin Taylor, sipping a cappuccino waiting for my prince…or The Artist Formerly Known as Prince…or some other person of interest to step onto the scene.

The Oxford Hotel, 1600 17th Street, 303-628-5400, www.theoxfordhotel.com

Hotel Teatro, 1100 14th Street, 303-228-1100, www.hotelteatro.com

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, 1101 13th Street, 303-893-9582, www.denvercenter.org

Book Pick

“Men to Match My Mountains,” by Irving Stone.  “This is a great book about the opening of the West,” says Dana Crawford.