The Legacy at the National Western Center Walking Tour
June 3, 2026
THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT!
Tour description: Join the Denver Architecture Foundation and Tryba Architects for a guided tour of The Legacy at the National Western Center, a new civic landmark and permanent home for National Western.
The tour will explore how the building draws from the architectural language of Denver’s historic stockyards through a contemporary lens. Participants will move through key spaces including the Katherine and J. Robert Wilson Art Gallery, Wold Family Heritage Center, event and conference areas, and social spaces such as the Legacy Saloon and Western Lounge, with insight into how material, structure, and circulation shape the experience of the building.
The tour follows a vertical progression organized around a Grant Family Grand Staircase, culminating on the fourth level at the National Western Club—an area not usually open to the public. Here, the Coors Family Terrace open to views of the campus, the Front Range, and into the adjacent arena, highlighting the building’s role as a place of gathering and Western hospitality.
About The Legacy: Opened during the record-breaking 2026 National Western Stock Show, the 115,000-square-foot The Legacy is located at the National Western Center in Denver. The project brings together offices, event and meeting spaces, Western hospitality venues, and galleries within a single, four-story structure designed for year-round use. The building’s design is informed by the durable character of early stockyard-era construction, expressed through a material palette of weathered steel, Colorado sandstone, and wood. Its massing and proportions respond to adjacent historic structures while establishing a contemporary presence on the campus.
About the tour guides: Leah Hanke, AIA, Associate Principal, Project Manager, Tryba Architects. Leah Hanke brings over 20 years of experience leading complex adaptive reuse and mixed-use projects, with a focus on hospitality within historic contexts. She played a key role in the transformation of Denver Union Station, including the integration of The Crawford Hotel. Leah’s work balances preservation with contemporary use, and her leadership in construction administration ensures the successful delivery of technically complex projects.
Daniel Nelson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Associate Principal, Senior Project Architect, Tryba Architects. Daniel Nelson leads cultural and civic projects that support community growth and long-term neighborhood impact. His work focuses on mission-driven organizations, translating their goals into buildings that are both enduring and responsive to context, including projects such as the Buell Public Media Center. With a strong emphasis on sustainable, high-performance design, Daniel integrates building systems and environmental strategies to create resilient, lasting places that enhance how communities gather and connect.
Accessibility information: The Legacy is fully accessible. Elevators provide access to all floors, and all primary tour routes are ADA compliant.
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.
Credit: Courtesy of National Western, Photographer James Florio