The VOA Family Motel at 4855 W. Colfax is a homeless shelter. (BusinessDen file photos)
Volunteers of America Colorado would like to replace an old motel building along West Colfax in Lakewood with a new four-story structure.
The nonprofit, which recently closed a major real estate deal in RiNo, submitted a concept plan to the city earlier this month for what it’s calling the “Theodora Family Hotel” at 4855 W. Colfax Ave.
The proposed structure would have 52 motel-style rooms on the upper three floors. The first floor would feature an office and some shared space for residents, including a kitchen.
While most motels along Colfax wrap around a parking lot, VOA’s new one would wrap around what plans call a “central courtyard.” There would be one level of underground parking with 39 spaces.
The existing 45-room motel on the property dates to the early 1960s, and was operated for a time as the Aristocrat Motor Hotel. Signage bearing that name is still posted.
It is known as VOA Family Motel, but signage from a previous name — the Aristocrat — remains.
But like most motels along Colfax, the property’s clientele no longer consists of tourists headed to the mountains. VOA, which has owned the property since the early 2000s, uses it to provide temporary shelter to the homeless.
The nonprofit refers to it and another motel building across the street at 4905 W. Colfax Ave. as the VOA Family Motel. VOA said last year that it was considering redeveloping both sites.
VOA spokesman Jon Ewing said the organization hopes to break ground on the new motel building within the next year, and be done with construction 18 months later. It will continue to serve the homeless.
VOA has yet to submit a development proposal for the 4905 Colfax lot, but still plans to do so.
“That site will be permanent supportive housing,” Ewing said in an email. “The current plan is to finish up the motel (which will become the Family Hotel) and then work on 4905. So. they’ll likely be staggered.”
The VOA Family Motel at 4855 W. Colfax is a homeless shelter. (BusinessDen file photos)
Volunteers of America Colorado would like to replace an old motel building along West Colfax in Lakewood with a new four-story structure.
The nonprofit, which recently closed a major real estate deal in RiNo, submitted a concept plan to the city earlier this month for what it’s calling the “Theodora Family Hotel” at 4855 W. Colfax Ave.
The proposed structure would have 52 motel-style rooms on the upper three floors. The first floor would feature an office and some shared space for residents, including a kitchen.
While most motels along Colfax wrap around a parking lot, VOA’s new one would wrap around what plans call a “central courtyard.” There would be one level of underground parking with 39 spaces.
The existing 45-room motel on the property dates to the early 1960s, and was operated for a time as the Aristocrat Motor Hotel. Signage bearing that name is still posted.
It is known as VOA Family Motel, but signage from a previous name — the Aristocrat — remains.
But like most motels along Colfax, the property’s clientele no longer consists of tourists headed to the mountains. VOA, which has owned the property since the early 2000s, uses it to provide temporary shelter to the homeless.
The nonprofit refers to it and another motel building across the street at 4905 W. Colfax Ave. as the VOA Family Motel. VOA said last year that it was considering redeveloping both sites.
VOA spokesman Jon Ewing said the organization hopes to break ground on the new motel building within the next year, and be done with construction 18 months later. It will continue to serve the homeless.
VOA has yet to submit a development proposal for the 4905 Colfax lot, but still plans to do so.
“That site will be permanent supportive housing,” Ewing said in an email. “The current plan is to finish up the motel (which will become the Family Hotel) and then work on 4905. So. they’ll likely be staggered.”
