Community Planning and Development Denver Landmark Preservation

201 West Colfax, Dept. 205 Denver, CO 80202

p: 720.865.2709 f: 720.865.3050

www.denvergov.org/preservation

STAFF BRIEF

This document is the staff’s comparison of the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation, Design Guidelines for Denver Landmark Structures and Districts, the Landmark Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 30, Revised Municipal Code) and other applicable adopted area guidelines as applied to the proposed application. It is intended to provide guidance during the commission’s deliberation of the proposed application. Guidelines are available at www.denvergov.org/preservation

Project: #2019-COA-167* LPC Meeting: January 21, 2020 Address: 18300 West Alameda Parkway Staff: Brittany Bryant Historic Dist/DLM: #49 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre Year structure built: C. 1936-1941, 1959 Applicant: SEH | Denver Arts & Venues | Public Works

Past LPC Action: Meeting Date: May 21, 2019 Description: Phase I – Mass, Form, and Context: Stage Replacement Motion by K. Corbett: I move to conditionally approve application #2019-COA-167 for the new stage roof structure at 18300 West Alameda Parkway – Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park, as per design guidelines 2.30, 2.55, 2.58, 3.1-3.3, and 4.4-4.5, character-defining features for the Red Rocks Amphitheatre historic district, presented testimony, submitted documentation and information provided in the staff report with the following conditions: 1. Provide additional perspectives of the new stage roof structure from the upper audience/top of the Amphitheatre and ensure the top of Stage Rock and the valley beyond remain visible; 2. Eliminate the top video screen from the proposal and limit the two side screens to the concert season; and 3. Final Design Details to return for Landmark Preservation Commission review and approval. Second: J. Johnson Vote: Unanimous in favor (8-0-0), motion carries

Project Scope Under Review: Phase I: Mass, Form, & Context: New Stage Roof Structure Footprint: 127’- 0 ¾” of linear frontage tapering back to 96’-8 ¾” by 74’- 1 ¾” in depth Height: 50’- 9 ¼” tapering down to 44’-11 ½”

Staff Summary: The applicant, SEH, and property owner, the City & County of Denver – Denver Arts & Venues, is requesting to demolish the existing stage roof structure and revisions to the approved Mass, Form, and Context for a new stage roof structure. The applicants have requested a two-step review process:

1. Phase I: Mass, Form, & Context Review; and 2. Phase II: Design Details.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre was designed by Burnham Hoyt and constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) between 1936-1941. Hoyt’s assistant, Stanley Morse added several additions to the Amphitheater in 1959, including the lighting towers on the south and north ends of the stage. Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park was listed as a Denver Landmark in 1973, on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, and as a National Historic Landmark in 2015. The design of the Amphitheatre is characterized by the use of the natural stone formations: Stage Rock, Ship Rock, and Creation Rock; red sandstone accented with natural color concrete; ashlar masonry; the use of curved features; and its connection with nature.

The existing metal stage roof was installed in 1988, the NHL nominations states:

The rooflines are set below Morse’s lighting tower. This alteration does not complement the original design and affects integrity of the stage area by changing the openness of the stage. However, which views to Stage Rock are impeded by the roof, patrons can still see over the roof to the views of the city and eastern plains beyond.

The existing stage roof structure was erected outside of the period of significance and does not contribute to the Amphitheatre and may be demolished. The applicant is proposing to construct a new stage roof structure with a new design that compliments the natural environment and historic character of the Amphitheatre while also providing increased safety and performance for shows held at the Amphitheatre. The new stage roof will be larger and taller than the existing stage roof structure. The goal of the larger structure is to open up the stage and the provide additional coverage for concerts/show related equipment. The revisions to the approved Phase I: Mass, Form, and Context are a result from further refinement of the design based on Commission and community comment and refinement of the structural details. Revisions to the Mass, Form, and Context include:

1. A revised footprint. The prior massing proposed a linear frontage of 130’- 4 ¼” at the front of the stage tapering back to 96’- 2 ½” by 72’-10 ½” in depth. The revised stage footprint will have 127’- 0 ¾” of linear frontage at the front of the stage tapering back to 96’-8 ¾”, by 74’- 1 ¾” in depth.

2. A revised height. The prior massing proposed total height of 50’- 8” at the front of the stage tapering down to 46’-3 1/2”. The revised stage will have a total height of 50’-9 ¼” at the front of the stage tapering down to 44-11 ½” at stage rock.

3. A revised rigging system/catwalk design. The prior massing proposed a cantilevered rigging/catwalk structure that was 13’6” in height (from the bottom of the catwalk platform to the top of the proposed stage roof). The revised design is proposing a cantilevered rigging structure that is 12’-9” in height (from the bottom of the catwalk platform to the top of the proposed stage roof).

4. A revised roof material. The prior massing proposed a translucent material. The revised application proposes a metal roof on a structural tongue-and-grove wood decking.

5. Revisions to the supporting column design. The prior massing proposed to support the new stage roof with 6 columns. The revised application proposes 4 support columns. The new column design will have a decorative concrete base, the design of which pays homage to the North and South Morse’s tower supports. Springing from each concrete base, will be two splayed steel supports.

6. Elimination of the proposed retractable wind walls on the north and south sides of the sage between the new stage columns.

7. Elimination of a permanent video screen, attached to the top of the stage roof, per Commission condition at the May 21, 2019 meeting and public comment on this element.

Similar to the prior application, the revised Mass, From and Context will include:

1. Two lower covered canopy structures, located adjacent to the Morse Towers, to replace the existing lower steel and canvas awning structures. The exact design and attachment detail of this element is still under exploration. However, the applicant intends to use the new support columns to also support this element.

2. Support columns placement that will not damage character defining features of the interior spaces below. 3. An integrated rigging system/catwalk design, with trusses running north south between the stage

columns, and new platform and stair from the north Morse Towers will provide access to the catwalk. 4. Temporary elements attached to the stage structure during the concert season, April – October. These

elements include two video screens at the side of the stage and speaker towers. It is unclear to staff how these elements will attach to the revised stage design, however, this could be further developed in the Design Detail submittal. At the May 21st meeting, the commission felt two video screens and speaker towers were appropriate elements to remain up during the concert season.

The stage replacement will also addresses issues of draining and pooling of water on the existing stage. A new fully integrated gutter and down spout system, directed below the stage and into the existing storm sewer will be constructed as part of the new stage roof structure. If the Commission approves the Phase I: Mass, Form, & Context submittal, a Phase II Design Detail submittal must also be approved before construction on the new stage roof can begin. A Design Detail submittal will included additional information on the roofing material, the color of the structure, the relationship of the lower canopy structure to the Morse Towers, and lighting and technology items referenced in the application materials. Staff have evaluated the stage roof structure with preservation, addition, and new infill guidelines. Excerpted from Design Guidelines for Denver Landmark Structures and Districts, January 2016

Guideline Meets Guideline? Comments

2.30 Remove a non-historic addition, if possible (enclosed front porches, covered storefronts, etc.) a. Ensure that the historic fabric of the primary structure is not damaged when removing a non-historic addition.

Yes

The 1988 stage roof and the roof access connection from the south Morse Tower will be removed. These non-historic additions are not compatible with the historic character of the Amphitheatre and adversely impact historic building fabric. The lower steel and canvas awning structures that tie into the Morse Towers will be removed.

2.52 Preserve the character-defining elements of a civic or institutional building. These can include: b. High quality materials such as brick and stone, clearly articulated stone base, and tile, slate or metal roofs

Yes

The Morse Towers and associated materials will be preserved and the new stage roof structure will have less impact on the original materials. The new stage roof structure will be freestanding from the Morse Towers and Stage Rock, preserving these character-defining features. The new stage roof structure will have fewer penetrations into the stage floor.

2.58 Select uses that are compatible with the original historic character of the building

Yes

Red Rocks has been in continual use as a concert venue since the first decade of the 20th Century. The venue has evolved over the years, most notably with the Hoyt design of the venue into a formal outdoor Amphitheatre from 1936-1941 and the Morse alterations in 1959 to the Amphitheatre. A stage roof structure was added in the 1980s to respond to the ever increasing use of electrical equipment in concerts. The new stage is intended to provide for the venues continued use as one of the top, if not top, venues in America.

3.1 Locate an addition to be subordinate to the original structure.

Yes

The new stage roof structure will be located in a visually prominent section of the Amphitheatre, on the stage forward of Stage Rock, it will be a focal point of the theatre. The revised stage roof structure is subordinate in overall height to the Morse Towers, designed to taper down towards the Morse Towers. The overall height of the revised stage structure is taller than Stage Rock by 4’- 3 ¼” at the front, with the back tapering down to be subordinate to Stage Rock by 1’-6 ½”. The prior submittal was 4’-2” taller than Stage Rock at the front and only subordinate to Stage Rock in the back by 3”. The applicant has significantly restudied the massing to allow Stage Rock to remain visible. Additional views comparing the existing perspective from the Upper Audience/top of the Amphitheatre have been provided by the applicant confirm that revised stage design will maintain a similar relationship to Stage Rock as the existing stage. From the stage floor to the bottom of the catwalk the new stage is 38’ tall. The 1988 stage roof structure is 41’-5” tall from the stage floor to the bottom of the structure. The new stage will have a similar relationship to Stage Rock in terms of interrupting views to the rock formation from stage level and mid level audience perspective. Staff feel this change will be negligible due to the monumental scale of the Amphitheatre. The new stage structure will be 12’-9” tall from the catwalk structure to the roof. The existing stage is only 4’-6” inches tall from the bottom of the roof structure to the top of the roof. The new stage structure will be open in structural design, a railing is proposed to protect the catwalk, the applicant is exploring how to thin the railing design as much as possible and still meet code compliance. The railing design will return in the design detail submittal.

3.2 Design an addition to a historic structure to respect the character-defining features of the historic district, the surrounding historic context, and the original primary structure. a. Design an addition to be compatible with the scale, massing and rhythm of the historic structure and context.

Yes

The proposed stage structure has a more fluid design that compliments the curved features common to the Amphitheatre. As the design has evolved, more elements of the existing design have been incorporated into revised stage design. For instance, the structural steel columns will have a decorative concrete base that has an oval shape with flat front, to pick up on the design of the base of the Morse Towers. The stage will be larger and feature less floor to ceiling supports than the existing stage structure to open up the stage and recapture a sense of the original stage massing.

3.3 Design an addition to be recognized as current construction. d. Do not design an addition to be an exact copy of the existing style or imply an earlier period or more ornate style than that of the original structure. e. Do not design an addition to contrast starkly with the original structure. At a minimum, an acceptable design should be neutral and not detract from the district’s or structure’s historic character.

Yes/No

Proposed stage structure is of modern design and will not directly replicating elements of Hoyt’s or Morse’s design. The massing and scale of the stage roof structure do not contrast starkly with the original Amphitheatre. However, design details for stage structure will be a significant component to ensure the new stage will not contrast starkly with the Amphitheatre. The new permanent video screen and other technology components may be at odds with the natural setting or the Amphitheatre. Some of these elements will be temporary, installed only during the concert season and are necessary for the structures continued use as a Amphitheatre. Staff would like to see additional details regarding these elements in the design detail submittal to better understand their impact on the natural environment.

4.4 Design the height, mass and form of a new building to be compatible with the historic context

Yes

The new stage roof structure will be 50’-9 ¼” at its tallest point. The 1988 stage roof structure is 45’-11” at its tallest point. Stage Rock in 46’-6” tall and the Morse Towers are 51’ tall. Staff feel that the height of the stage structure is compatible with scale and context of the existing elements. The new stage roof structure is large and intends to reopens and recapture the openness of the original stage, which historically was uncovered.

4.5 Design a new building to be recognized as current construction, while respecting key features of the historic district as well as the surrounding historic context/block.

Yes

The new stage roof structure will be recognizable as current construction. Staff feel the revised Phase I: Mass, Form, and Context design responds to the existing context will respecting key features of the amphitheater.

Recommendation: Approval with Conditions Conditions: 1. Provide additional detail on how the video screen and speaker will attach to the stage

structure; and 2. Final Design Details to return for Landmark Preservation Commission review and

approval. Basis: The existing stage roof structure is non-historic, added in the 1980s and is invasive to

historic fabric. The new stage will limit connections to historic fabric, will open up the stage with limited structural columns and a larger foot print. The new stage is compatible with the mass and scale of the existing Amphitheatre. The applicant has restudied the stage’s relationship to Stage Rock and the valley beyond and the revised stage design will not significantly alter the existing views of these element. Technology will be limited to the concert season, were it is necessary to support the Amphitheatre’s continued use as a concert venue.

Suggested Motion: I move to CONDITIONALLY APPROVE application #2019-COA-167* for the revised Phase

I: Mass, Form, and Context submittal for the new stage roof structure at 18300 West Alameda Parkway – Red

Rocks Amphitheatre and Park, as per design guidelines 2.30, 2.55, 2.58, 3.1-3.3, and 4.4-4.5, character-

defining features for the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, presented testimony, submitted documentation and

information provided in the staff report with the following conditions:

1. Provide additional details on how the video screen and speakers will attached to the revised stage

structure; and

2. Final Design Details to return for Landmark Preservation Commission review and approval.

Red Rocks Historic Amphitheatre outlined in yellow (Red Rocks Trading Post also shown), area of work outlined in red.

END