$22M Transformation Turns Abandoned Colfax Motel Into Boutique Hotel
The long-vacant All Inn motel on East Colfax Avenue has officially been brought back to life, transforming from a neglected eyesore into one of the latest redevelopment projects aiming to reshape the historic corridor.
After sitting empty for years, the property has undergone a $22 million renovation, supported in part by Denver City Council-approved tax-increment financing. According to NewsBreak, the newly reopened All Inn Hotel is now a 54-room boutique destination designed to bring a more elevated and modern experience to Colfax while still honoring its past.
The redevelopment is part of a broader push to revitalize Colfax Avenue, long known for its gritty charm, into a more walkable and attractive destination filled with updated businesses and hospitality options. Owner Brian Toerber, a Colorado native, says the location fills what he calls a “hotel desert,” offering visitors a place to stay near major attractions like City Park, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
The hotel itself blends historic preservation with modern upgrades. Originally added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, the property qualified for roughly $4 million in tax credits, helping fund its transformation. Toerber initially planned to convert the site into housing after purchasing it in 2016, but shifted direction after hearing feedback from the surrounding community, choosing instead to restore the building as a hotel.
On the ground floor, guests and locals will find FiNO, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant serving dishes like anchovy toast, bucatini al limone and pescado a la plancha. Plans are also in place for a 6,000-square-foot wine garden and expanded outdoor seating, adding to the property’s appeal as a neighborhood gathering spot.
The project hasn’t come without challenges. Construction delays and sidewalk disruptions created frustrations for nearby businesses, though developers say those issues are now largely behind them as the hotel prepares to open its doors.
Located at Colfax Avenue and Milwaukee Street, the All Inn Hotel also stands to benefit from the city’s future Colfax bus rapid transit line, which is expected to improve access and foot traffic along the corridor.
Toerber believes the project reflects a new chapter for Colfax — one that still embraces its character while evolving with the city.
“It’s Colfax, but it’s just not your father’s Colfax,” he said. “It’s still fun, but it’s not at all dangerous.”
The All Inn Hotel officially opens to the public on March 26, marking a significant milestone in the continued transformation of one of Denver’s most iconic streets.
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