From Bar to Community Placemaking: Reimagining 3467 S Broadway in Downtown Englewood
The building at 3467 South Broadway sits on one of the most active blocks in Downtown Englewood—a stretch long defined by iconic brick storefronts, nightlife, and neighborhood gathering places.
Before its recent transformation, the space was home to McMullins Bar and later Paradox Lounge. I first toured the building more than a year before taking on the lease assignment, when it was still operating as Mick Mullens Irish Bar. At the time, the interior was dark and heavy—defined by wood finishes, a dominant bar, makeshift restrooms framed in plywood, and a small pop-up kitchen tucked into the back.
The second floor, accessed only by a rear staircase, functioned as a private event space, game-day clubhouse, and office. The building worked for what it was—but it was clearly ready for its next chapter.
When my client purchased the property, they committed to a full repositioning. The building was completely gutted, with ownership investing in extensive base-building improvements: all-new plumbing, electrical, gas, HVAC, fire suppression, doors, windows, a new enclosed rear patio, and a new rear staircase. One of the most delicate parts of the process was preserving the original brick façade, which required scaffolding and section-by-section support while the new storefront was installed behind it.
From the outset, the goal wasn’t just leasing the space. The word that kept coming up was placemaking.
We initially brought only the ±2,250 SF street-level space to market, with the intention of activating the block with the right anchor tenant before addressing the second floor. During construction, I toured the building with a wide range of potential users, including theater concepts, interior design showrooms, salons, cafés, and coffee shops.
At the same time, Downtown Englewood was gaining momentum. The City has been proactive in supporting small businesses through programs, grants, and expedited permitting, while also welcoming a steady migration of operators relocating from Denver in response to rising costs and shifting policies. The environment here rewards thoughtful operators—and landlords willing to invest in their buildings.
When the Right Tenant Shows Up
When Chandler Lipe, founder of The Den Family Social Club, toured the space, it immediately felt different.
Represented by Michelle Colvin of MHLRE, Chandler brought clarity and energy that stood out. She knew exactly what she was looking for in a second location for The Den, a concept designed for adults and children to exist side-by-side, without compromise.
The original Den location at 2900 Zuni Street in LoHi draws families from well beyond the neighborhood. As The Den describes it:
“With a kid-friendly coffee shop, social play, creative corners, classes, and easy ways to connect, The Den brings a little more ease and joy into everyday family life. We’re here to support parents through this season with warmth, dignity, and the belief that something really good can happen when families have a place to land together.”
At 3467 S Broadway, The Den will occupy the entire building, allowing the concept to expand beyond the original footprint. The Englewood location will offer the same core experience, with its own personality—plus space for additional practitioners and service providers, and a bar program serving alcoholic beverages, which the LoHi location does not have.
One of the largest remaining construction components is installing a new interior staircase connecting the main level to the second floor, fully integrating the building into a single, cohesive experience. Williams Construction is serving as the general contractor, led by Mike Lamb, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with on several projects.
The Den plans to open later this summer.
This project is a good example of how investment, patience, and intention can reshape a familiar building into something entirely new—without losing its place on the block.
I’ll be sharing more as construction progresses, including before-and-after photos and site walk-throughs. And when The Den officially opens its doors in Englewood, that will be a story worth telling on its own.
