A new boutique hotel is under construction at the Fitzsimons Innovation Community on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. Named in honor of former University of Colorado President Bruce Benson, the 106-room Benson Hotel and Faculty Club is being developed by Aimco and is part of a collective vision for the future of the campus. The architect for the project is Tryba Architects and the GC is Hyder Construction.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, University of Colorado President Todd Saliman, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Chancellor and Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) Chairman Donald M. Elliman, Jr. were among the community leaders to attend the event that was held on Oct. 22.
“What Aimco is bringing to this campus is a sense of community and a sense of place, with the higher density we want in Aurora,” said Mayor Mike Coffman. “Thousands can now live, work and play here, and the City of Aurora thanks Aimco for its commitment to this campus and to our community.”
The event was hosted on the recently completed Central Green, an urban park and event space located at the heart of the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Built for the entire community, the space opened this summer and will host events and activities such as outdoor movies, seasonal celebrations, and live music.
“This is a very deserving honor for Bruce Benson,” said CU President Todd Saliman. “President Benson was a tremendous leader for the University of Colorado and a dedicated advocate for the people and state of Colorado. He was fond of saying there was no limit to what someone could do or how far they could go if they didn’t mind who gets the credit. That selfless style allowed him to achieve so much for so many, and I’m glad to see him being recognized today.”
Slated for completion in 2023, the Benson Hotel and Faculty Club will include a ballroom and event space, a rose garden with outdoor seating and a lawn for tented events, a full-service bar and restaurant, and multiple meeting rooms. The Faculty Club within the hotel will be a private offering for the medical, educational, and research staff at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus with amenities such as a central bar, conversational spaces, and an indoor/outdoor terrace.
“This new hotel is yet another example of how our campus continues to grow as a top medical destination and health sciences community in the region and beyond,” said CU Anschutz Chancellor Donald M. Elliman, Jr. “Fitzsimons Innovation Community and Aimco have been essential partners in this growth, and we’re excited to have the Benson Hotel and Faculty Club next to our campus.”
“We are thrilled to be contributing to the growth of the Fitzsimons Innovation Community” said Wes Powell, president and CEO of Aimco. “We share a collective mission and vision for this important campus and are excited about the many possibilities that lie ahead.”