Denver seeks up to $6 million for Barth Hotel senior apartments

Denver is seeking City Council approval for funding that would allow the Downtown Denver Development Authority to make a loan of up to $6 million toward converting the Barth Hotel into 50 affordable senior apartments.

The proposed loan would carry 2% interest over 40 years, and the project’s total cost is listed at $22.1 million. The historic hotel is at 1514 17th St. A funding presentation listed on the Finance and Business Committee’s Oct. 27 agenda says the apartments are intended for households earning 30% to 50% of area median income. It anticipates permits in fall or winter 2026, construction beginning in spring 2027 and delivery in spring 2028.

Under the arrangement described in the city’s funding request, Denver would transfer up to $6 million to the authority, which would make a separate project loan. The authority’s board approved a funding agreement Jan. 27, subject to final legal review, the request says. Tax-increment financing revenue generated within the authority’s boundaries is identified as the repayment source for the authority’s loans. The authority’s project announcement also describes the apartments as planned for households earning 30% to 50% of area median income.

City Council has not yet approved the funding agreement. The committee agenda lists the proposal as an action item, and the request asks Council to consider Ordinance 26-1608. Council’s Oct. 5 vote to add the property to the authority under Ordinance 26-1333 was a separate action.

The city request identifies Senior Housing Options Inc. as the property owner and proposed borrower, while the newer presentation names Barth Hotel LLC (Eaton Senior Communities) as borrower. The Denver Post, republishing BusinessDen reporting on Oct. 10, reported that Eaton had bought the hotel from Senior Housing Options for $2.5 million and planned the renovation with Urban Ventures. The city materials do not explain the different borrower names.