Saving El Chapultepec: Historic Denver files for landmark designation
DENVER (KDVR) — Historic Denver is fighting to preserve the building that once housed El Chapultepec, the legendary jazz club on Market Street, which could be torn down if no compromise is met for the building’s use.
According to John Deffenbaugh, president and CEO of Historic Denver, the building at 1962 Market Street is owned by Monfort Companies. Historic Denver has approached Monfort “since last year” with suggestions on how to adaptively reuse the building, but the nonprofit said the owner intends to apply for a demolition permit.
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“The story of our city is told by buildings large and small, grand and discrete,” Deffenbaugh said in a release. “If the walls of 1962 Market Street could talk, they would tell the stories of the countless patrons, musicians, politicians, and even a U.S. president, who gathered at El Chapultepec, Denver’s legendary jazz club.”
“The history of our city is being lost as places that tell Denver’s story, like El Chapultepec, are demolished,” Deffenbaugh continued. “We remain hopeful that a compromise solution can be found to protect this key piece of Denver’s history outside the landmark designation process. If not, we firmly believe this 130-year-old building, and the stories it continues to tell, is deserving of the protection afforded by landmark designation.”
The nonprofit said it filed for a landmark designation, in conjunction with Elbra Wedgeworth and professional jazz musician Ron Bland, to save the building.
“Existing buildings can evolve and change to meet modern needs,” Deffenbaugh said. “The thoughtful combination of new development and historic places is what sustains the authentic character of our city. Historic Denver acknowledges that the building needs love and care to bring it back to life, however there is no such thing as a terminal illness in buildings nor do buildings come with an expiration date.”
Deffenbaugh said that with “love and care,” the building can continue to stand for years to come and serve as a reminder of the venue and performers who once played there.
Historic Denver details El Chapultepec’s colorful history
El Chapultepec was constructed around 1890 at 1962 Market Street and has been used for many purposes, according to Historic Denver. The nonprofit shared that it was once a boarding house, a bar and a restaurant before it became the jazz club known today.
“The club was the physical representation of former owner, Jerry Krantz’s vision to create an affordable and accessible place to experience excellent jazz music,” Historic Denver said in the release.
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The building has few ornaments but gained a reputation as the place to play for jazz musicians in Denver.
El Chapultepec hosted numerous world-class jazz musicians but also welcomed stars from other genres such as The Police, ZZ Top, Mick Jagger, Dave Matthews, Santana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pat Morita, Ed Sheeran and many more. Historic Denver said actors such as Christopher Walken have also been spotted at the club, and President Bill Clinton played there in 1991.
“Even the legendary Frank Sinatra came to El Chapultepec,” Historic Denver said in its release.
Historic Denver called the club a “cultural phenomenon rarely experienced elsewhere,” discussing the variety of people from all classes of society who came to listen and hobnob.
“The business may be gone but the physical representation of that vision and what occurred there remains,” the nonprofit wrote. “Historic Denver believes that this representation is worthy of preserving and incorporating into future development plans for the site.”
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A landmark designation is designed to preserve and perpetuate areas that reflect “outstanding elements of the city’s cultural, artistic, social, economic, political, architectural, historic or other heritage,” according to the city’s municipal code.
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