La Vista Motel, a 23-room boutique property in Denver, has reopened after a full restoration of the 1956 motor lodge, which is listed on both the City of Denver Historic Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
Developer Nathan Beal led the project with a clear mandate: preserve the building’s original character while delivering a contemporary hospitality experience. “We wanted to restore this iconic property and bring it into the modern era,” Beal says. “Our goal was to create a space that honors the past while delivering a completely unique and modern experience.”
Meeting the designation requirements meant correcting decades of deferred repairs and returning the structure, as closely as possible, to its original 1956 form, with the footprint, exterior lines, materials and architectural details intact. The property’s original neon sign was restored by local shop Morry’s Neon.
Design details that define the stay
The exterior restoration was handled by Sopher Sparn Architects, while the interiors were designed by Melissa Friday of Xan Creative, the firm behind several Denver restaurants, including Snooze, Steuben’s, and Ginger Pig.
Each of the 23 guestrooms are appointed with original artwork and vintage-inspired furniture sourced from Denver antique shops and resellers. Room configurations range from a king suite with a kitchenette to a double full.
A rec room reimagined
One of the more distinctive design moves is Grandma’s Basement, a wood-paneled lounge that channels the aesthetic of a 1960s and ’70s basement rec room. The space hosts comedy shows, DJ nights, and neighborhood gatherings, and it’s available to reserve for private events and parties.
El Piñon, a neighborhood bar
The onsite coffee shop and cocktail bar, El Piñon, operates daily and has quickly established itself as a local destination beyond the motel’s guest base. Operated by Weston Scott, founder of Denver’s Ephemeral Rotating Taproom, El Piñon serves specialty coffee from locally roasted Servant Coffee alongside a craft cocktail program. A street-facing patio and parking lot host regular events throughout the year, from DJ sets to seasonal parties.
