Originally built as the main hall of Colorado Women’s College (CWC), Centennial Hall was previously named Treat Hall in honor of the CWC’s first president, Jay Porter Treat. The building’s southern half, with its stone masonry exterior, started construction in 1886, but because of funding constraints, wasn’t finished until 1909.

In 1982, the University of Denver acquired Colorado Women’s College, due to declining enrollment, and used the campus for its law school and music program. Yet, it was determined that Treat Hall be shuttered, and for three decades it sat empty. Johnson & Wales University (JWU) purchased the campus in 1999, with a vision that Treat Hall would once again be part of the historic campus. Known as a higher-ed leader in hospitality, culinary and business, JWU uniquely bills itself as “one university, four campuses.”

Founded in Providence, RI in 1914, the university has regional campuses in North Miami, FL and Charlotte, NC. In 2000, JWU opened the doors to its western anchor-campus in Denver serving approximately 1,500 students. Set against a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop and just 10 minutes from downtown Denver, the historic campus includes 26 park-like acres with a traditional campus quad.

In recent years, private donations helped JWU perform more than $2 million in extensive work inside Treat Hall to remove toxic materials including asbestos. JWU also restored the exterior stone masonry, mortar joints and window sills. Finally, in 2013, with the expansion of JWU’s program offerings and at the cusp of the university’s centennial year, JWU knew the time was right to pull the trigger on Centennial Hall’s major renovation. By 2014, JWU officially “broke ground” on the $15 million project, renaming the building Centennial Hall in honor of JWU’s 100 years and to pay homage to Colorado as the “Centennial State.”

The newly renovated Centennial Hall features classrooms, a café, a health and wellness clinic, faculty and administrative offices, student activity spaces, and a multipurpose great hall that is used for events. Many of the original finishes of Centennial Hall have been preserved and/or repurposed to allow the building’s grandeur to shine and flourish.

The original grand staircase, open to three stories at the south end of the building, was fully renovated and is a focal point featuring an original chandelier. The original doors, which would not meet modern ADA requirements, are repurposed as wainscot wall paneling, reception desks and loose furniture. Even the original organ pipes from the auditorium’s organ were saved and will be an art display in the main lobby.

“You can’t help but be inspired by this building, not only for its beautiful features, but also for what Centennial Hall stands for,” said campus vice president and academic dean Richard Wiscott. “It was critical to ensure the design capitalized on bringing our campus community together by creating a variety of multi-purpose spaces adjacent and connected throughout the entire building—which, ultimately, we hope will promote both formal and informal interactions between students, faculty and staff.”

Baking & Pastry and Media Communications student Kendra Gibbs (‘18) said that since the building has opened, she’s enjoyed exploring the classes and hangout spaces, noting she’s experienced a stronger connection between herself and the university. “The university doesn’t want Centennial to just be a landmark; they want us to become part of it and create our own traditions and values in this place,” said Gibbs.

Along with the overhaul of the historic building, JWU has also invested more than $15 million to simultaneously renovate Founders Hall. Built in 1929, Founders Hall was a residence hall during the Colorado Women’s College era. When JWU took over the campus, the structure was converted into faculty and administrative offices. Now fully renovated, JWU turned it back into a modern residence hall, housing upper-class students.

Saunders Construction oversaw the Founders Hall and Centennial Hall projects, while JWU worked with Hord Coplan Macht (formally SLATERPAULL Architects) for the buildings’ unique design features. “Centennial Hall has come full circle from being an ‘old main’ building from 1886 to being a ‘new main’ student hub today and for future JWU students,” said Craig Welsh, the project’s lead architect with Hord Coplan Macht.

The design concept celebrates the building’s architecture and lets the details draw upon Centennial Hall’s history. While many contemporary student centers use bright colors to appeal to students, Centennial Hall’s color palette is reserved to blues, grays and browns that subtly evoke JWU’s school colors of blue and gold.

“We wanted to stay true to the building’s history,” said JWU Denver Campus President Robin Krakowsky, Ed.D. “We selected discreet furniture and décor, which lets the architectural features of this magnificent building really stand out.”

In addition to the new spaces for JWU students, Historic Denver announced that Centennial Hall will receive the 2015 Community Preservation Award in October. As one of the nation’s premier non-profit urban historic preservation organizations, Historic Denver recognizes projects like Centennial Hall that exemplify high-quality restoration, the careful consideration of the city’s historic fabric and a commitment to the community.

Historic Denver executive director Annie Levinsky said she was excited to see the functionality of the new space so well-integrated with many of the historic aspects of the building. “The amount of thought and care that went into this project is incredible, and honors the dynamic between old and new so that Centennial Hall will vibrantly thrive for another century,” said Levinsky.