Revitalization overview

Before Phase 1 · 2017–2018

First, learn the building.

The 198-page assessment connected the leaks, masonry, structure, safety, access, and building systems into one preservation roadmap.

Read the complete assessment 198-page PDF
Cover of the final Fox Theatre Historic Structure Assessment and Preservation Plan.
Final · May 2018 · SHF 2017-HA-012
198pages
2017field observations
2018final plan
Whole buildingone roadmap

What the report found

The photographs make the diagnosis visible.

  1. 01

    Water connected the failures

    Roof drainage, ponding beside walls, open masonry joints, basement moisture, and damaged finishes formed one building-wide problem—not isolated repairs.

    Site, roofing + drainage · pp. 20–21, 78–86
  2. 02

    The main foundations were generally sound

    Investigators saw no settlement pattern or differential cracking in the main bearing walls. Local mortar erosion and rising damp still needed repair.

    Foundations · pp. 32–34
  3. 03

    The hidden structure needed attention

    Roof and balcony-truss conditions called for safe access, monitoring, loading limits, and targeted stabilization.

    Structural systems · pp. 35–59
  4. 04

    Safety and access could not wait

    Loose plaster, the fire escape, guardrails, egress, mold, accessible parking, restrooms, seating, stage access, and routes were immediate concerns.

    Critical work + accessibility · pp. 142, 147–149
  5. 05

    The work had to be phased

    The plan ranked critical, serious, minor, and routine work while protecting historic masonry, doors, windows, signs, lobby stenciling, and projection evidence.

    Prioritized work plan · pp. 145–154

Evidence plates

What investigators saw.

Select any image to open the record.

East elevation of the Fox Theatre photographed from across Main Street during the historic structure assessment.
01Figure 7 · East elevation from Main Street · report p. 20
Main Street sidewalk and theatre entrance documented during the assessment.
02Figure 8 · Main Street sidewalk and entrance · report p. 20
Brick perimeter wall extending below grade with a later concrete strip at its base.
03Figure 22 · Perimeter wall below grade; concrete strip added for site-water issues · report p. 32
Board-formed concrete foundation wall in the basement mechanical room.
04Figure 23 · Basement foundation wall · report p. 32
Low roof framing with sloped crickets and the higher stage roof beyond.
05Figure 50 · Low roof framing and drainage crickets · report p. 51
Long brick east elevation showing the historic masonry wall.
06Figure 65 · East elevation masonry · report p. 60
Main flat roof looking west with roofing membrane meeting the upper brick wall.
07Figure 91 · Main flat roof looking west · report p. 78
Upper roof gutter and downspout assembly documented during the assessment.
08Figure 96 · Upper-roof gutter and downspout · report p. 83

The next chapter

From diagnosis to community imagination.

The assessment defined what the building needed. CU Denver students and residents then explored what the Fox could become.

See the community-design phase →

Historic Structure Assessment photographs