Punch Bowl Social to open in former air traffic control tower

Punch Bowl Social’s historic preservation and adaptive reuse project has been a multiyear undertaking. The building was structurally sound, but the interior had become substantially degraded over the two decades, requiring comprehensive infrastructure improvements.

The design of the 32,000-square-foot project honors the legacy of the airport and preserves many elements of the tower, including the precast panels that originally adorned the exterior of the building. The effort required removal of the panels to accommodate the new design and then setting them back onto the building, according to Punch Bowl Social.

Dozens of ideas for reuse of the tower were presented over the years, along with suggestions of demolition. Finally, Denver City Councilman Christopher Herndon, who represents the Stapleton neighborhood, spoke with Punch Bowl Social founder and CEO Robert Thompson about redeveloping the structure.

“It has been an incredible effort and, more importantly, an honor to preserve the former control tower,” Thompson said. “We are intentional about seeking locations that have historic roots but need a new purpose. We’ve done it at our original location, on Broadway, in Denver, and have projects in San Diego and Brooklyn [N.Y.] that will also adapt historic properties for reuse as Punch Bowl Socials.”

Punch Bowl Social offers social gathering places for games and for the enjoyment of food and craft beverages. Punch Bowl Social Stapleton will contain six bowling lanes, two private karaoke rooms, a photo booth, areas for shuffle board, darts and a giant Scrabble game, a variety of indoor and outdoor lounging and gathering spots and more. The site will also be home to the company’s first outdoor space with two regulation-size boccie courts, stadium seating, a gazebo and a beer garden.

Punch Bowl Social worked with Denver-based OZ Architecture on the conversion.