From Theater to Bookstore (and more!) – Adaptive Reuse Tour at Tattered Cover
March 24, 2026
About the tour: The tour will highlight the elements of the theater’s history as it was originally designed. It will include a tour of the building with a discussion about changes that were required to make the building functional as a bookstore, neighborhood revitalization, historic preservation, and how the entire complex came to be. It will also include the elements required for it to be included on the National Register for Historic Buildings.
About the building: This adaptive reuse project transformed the historic Lowenstein Theater into the Colfax Avenue home of Tattered Cover Book Store. Originally constructed in 1953 as the Bonfils Memorial Theater, the 550-seat venue was commissioned by Helen Bonfils as a memorial to her parents and designed by Denver architect John K. Monroe in the Art Moderne style. The building featured cream-colored brick, buff terra cotta trim, red sandstone detailing, and a distinctive wing-swept marquee with a contoured aluminum canopy. When it opened, it was the first new theater built in Denver in more than 40 years and went on to host over 400 main stage and children’s productions before closing in 1986.
After nearly two decades of vacancy, the building was revitalized through adaptive reuse and preservation efforts led by Kevin Koernig, then principal of the Denver office of The Lawrence Group Architects, with Geneva Kowalski as part of the design team. The project transformed the structure into a 25,000-square-foot bookstore while preserving its historic architectural character. The new entrance is marked by a contemporary overhang that complements the existing blond brick and terra cotta façade.
The redevelopment was part of a broader effort to revitalize the East Colfax corridor. The design retained many defining architectural elements of the original theater while reconfiguring the interior to support bookstore retail, public gathering spaces, and community programming. The developer, St. Charles Town Company, received the 2006 Community Preservation Award from Historic Denver for the project.
Today, the building anchors a mixed-use cultural destination along East Colfax, surrounded by entertainment, retail, and dining venues. The project demonstrates how thoughtful adaptive reuse can preserve historic character while supporting contemporary urban activity and neighborhood revitalization.
About the guide: Charlie Woolley, Founding Principal and President of St. Charles Town Company. After nearly a decade as a history museum director, Charlie began his commercial real estate career in 1985 and went on to found St. Charles in 1993. Inspired to create compelling destinations that preserve history while supporting communities well into the future, together he and the St. Charles team have completed over 50 development projects valued at nearly $1 billion.
Charlie’s first experiences in real estate were multifamily historic preservation projects in Denver’s emerging neighborhoods. Compelled by historic buildings in what was once Denver’s industrial core, Charlie started buying, selling, leasing and developing timber and brick warehouses in the Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood.
Under Charlie’s leadership, St. Charles Town Company has become not only one of the most active developers of affordable housing in the Denver metro area, but also a prominent champion of historic preservation and neighborhood infill projects.
Charlie is actively involved in the community, serving as a trustee for both The Denver Botanic Gardens and History Colorado, advocating on behalf of historic preservation, arts, and community service non-profit organizations.
Charlie holds an MBA from the University of Denver and a B.A. in city planning from the University of Massachusetts.
Accessibility: Handicap parking is available in the south surface parking lot and in the parking garage with elevator access. The tour will be wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevators.
Refund policy: The Denver Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. Ticket sales support the Foundation in continuing to provide quality events to the public. We are unable to provide refunds or credits for any reason less than 48 hours prior to the event.
Please note that DAF tours take place rain, snow or shine. If your tour includes an outdoor portion, please dress for the weather. DAF staff will contact all attendees directly should a tour be cancelled for any reason. Photographs and/or video might be taken at Denver Architecture Foundation (DAF) events. By taking part in this event, you consent to your image/likeness being used in any and all print and digital media in perpetuity. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify the photographer or DAF representative on site. Thank you!
Photo Credit to Tattered Cover