Affordable senior housing set for City Park West

The former nurses’ dormitory on the St. Joseph Hospital campus in Denver’s City Park West neighborhood is being converted into affordable independent senior housing.

The Neenan Co. has started work on renovating the historic Tammen Hall into 49 rental apartments for income-qualified seniors 62 years or older.

St. Joseph sold the building to MGL Partners/Solvera Advisors in 2017, with its parent organization SCL Health providing substantial investment to finance the redevelopment.

“The mission of SCL Health and St. Joseph Hospital is to improve the health of the people and communities we serve, especially those who are poor and vulnerable,” said St. Joseph Hospital President Jamie Smith. “We are so pleased to be a partner in this redevelopment effort that aligns with our mission and contributes toward finding a solution for the significant need for affordable housing in our community for seniors.”

Located at 1010 E. 19th Ave., the eight-story, 51,000-square-foot facility will feature common areas on the first floor and one- and two-bedroom apartments on the second through seventh levels. The top floor will include a common area and rooftop patio. The project is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Originally built in 1930 as a nurse dormitory for Children’s Hospital Colorado, Tammen Hall was named after Harry Tammen, the first publisher of The Denver Post. The building later was converted into office space for Children’s Hospital Colorado until the hospital moved to the Anschutz Medical Campus in September 2007. Because it’s designated as a local historic landmark, the exterior and internal renovations must comply with National Park Service standards. Among the spaces to be preserved are a theater and a community room that will be available for neighborhood meetings and events, along with the historic entry and foyer.

Children’s Hospital Colorado has been overseeing the restoration of murals created by the historic Colorado muralist Allen Tupper True. The murals are original to Tammen Hall and will be returned to the building upon the project’s completion.

“We’re thrilled to support such a meaningful project among Denver’s thriving development scene, said David Shigekane, president of The Neenan Co. “Not only are we helping to preserve an important piece of Denver’s heritage, but the project will surely play a significant role in Denver’s future.”