Downtown developer Mark Hunt has submitted redevelopment plans for the Crystal Palace building on Hyman Avenue. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason reports.
The plan is to revamp the old dinner theatre space and the building next door into a 16-room boutique hotel. It would have a restaurant on the ground floor, and an outdoor pool and bar on the rooftop. Fourteen rooms would be on the second floor and two suites on the third floor.
Combined, both buildings equate to just over 13,000 square feet of commercial space.
While the Crystal Palace was built in 1886, it is not considered historically significant because renovations have been made. However, Hunt indicates in his application that he will preserve whatever historic portions are possible.
Hunt, along with unidentified investors, owns over a dozen buildings in downtown Aspen, with more under contract. He has several applications in the city review process asking to demolish and replace, or remodel buildings in the commercial core.
By city code, the Crystal Palace proposal only needs approval by the HPC but the council can choose to review the decision, just like other proposals.
Carolyn Sackariason, Aspen Public Radio.