A partnership led by
St. Charles Town Company has purchased The Campus Lounge building, an iconic Bonnie Brae neighborhood lounge at the corner of South University Boulevard and East Exposition Avenue in a deal that closed Sept. 28.
St. Charles Town Company is teaming up with Dan Landes of
City O' City and
WaterCourse Foods to create a bistro-style concept in the old dive bar.
"It's both an honor and a big responsibility to take on a project like The Campus Lounge," said Charlie Woolley, founding principal and president of St. Charles Town Company. "We want to restore the building, which has a past that precedes The Campus, and preserve the legacy that is The Campus."
St. Charles Town Company adds the Campus Lounge to its growing list of neighborhood restaurants downtown, on East Colfax and in Bonnie Brae. The company continues to focus on real estate projects in urban neighborhoods, including LoDo, LoHi, East Colfax Avenue, Westwood, Edgewater and Lakewood.
"Dan and his partner share our passion to serve communities and understand neighborhood serving spaces," Woolley said. "We know they will reinvigorate the Campus in an exciting way that pays homage to the carefree ambiance Jim Wiste instilled in the many generations of family, patrons and friends who frequented his beloved lounge."
The Campus Lounge opened as the Bel-Aire in 1946 and became The Campus Lounge in 1949. Seller Jim Wiste, a former NHL player, purchased the building from Bill and Joe White in 1976.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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