From Ghosts to Get Out: ‘The Shining’ Hotel Partners with Blumhouse for Massive Horror-Themed Expansion
A new chapter of Colorado’s most haunted hotel is about to begin. The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park—famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining—has officially broken ground on a massive $60 million expansion that will include a first-of-its-kind Blumhouse Horror Museum and a state-of-the-art event center.
The project, led by the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority in partnership with Blumhouse Productions, will create a year-round destination for film, art, and horror enthusiasts. Dubbed the Stanley Event Center, the expansion will feature a 1,000-seat theater for film premieres and concerts, 64 luxury hotel rooms, a redesigned lobby, and other major upgrades—all while the historic Stanley remains open during construction.
For horror fans, the crown jewel will be the Blumhouse Space — an interactive museum curated by Jason Blum’s iconic production company, which has produced some of the most successful horror films of the past two decades, including Get Out, The Purge, and Insidious.
Blum says the goal is to give horror the cultural recognition it deserves:
“Horror fans are the best fans in the world, and they deserve a world-class, must-visit destination,” Blum explained. “We plan to celebrate the art and icons of horror, from the filmmakers and stars to the villains that have terrified us for decades. There’s no better place to do it than the iconic Stanley Hotel.”
The Stanley’s eerie reputation dates back to 1909, when it opened as a luxury mountain retreat at the base of the Rockies. Its haunted history later inspired King’s 1977 novel The Shining, forever cementing its place in pop culture. Although Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation was shot elsewhere, the Estes Park landmark remains one of the most famous horror-related sites in the world—hosting ghost tours, film festivals, and countless curious visitors each year.
Once complete in 2028, the new Stanley Event Center is expected to turn Estes Park into a year-round destination for horror lovers, movie buffs, and curious travelers alike — blending luxury with chills in a setting that’s both scenic and spine-tingling.
