Haselden expanded Denver School of the Arts by repurposing two historic Johnson & Wales buildings into high-performing arts education spaces. In partnership with Alan Ford Architects, we converted a college Academic Center into a functional high school environment with new classrooms, art studios, theaters, and dance spaces, along with specialized rooms for orchestra, vocal, band, and theater. The work included accessibility upgrades across the site and full replacement of low-voltage systems—voice-evac fire alarm, telecom, PA/bell, security, CCTV, intrusion detection, access control, and classroom A/V.
The renovation featured a complex structural steel scope and the transformation of tiered lecture halls into practice spaces. Close coordination with DPS, Alan Ford Architects, and trade partners kept the effort on track, achieving the installation without delays or budget overages. With careful phasing to prioritize the highest-value elements and address required code upgrades for high school occupancy, the project delivered modern, flexible arts facilities that supported collaboration across the mixed campus.
Key Stats
Square Footage: 154,000
Owner: Denver Public Schools
Architect: Alan Ford Architects
Market: K-12
Location: Denver, Colorado
