5500 East Colfax

The once forgotten La Vista Motel is stayin' alive and stepping back into the spotlight.

After years of sitting quiet, the 1956 motor lodge reopens this month under Nathan Beal and St. Bernard Properties, bringing a retro inspired design and a fresh new rhythm to the corridor.

We checked out the property and met Nathan back in October 2024 while construction was in full swing. Now, a year later, the opening is nearly here, and it’s been worth the wait.

On site, El Piñon will open too, a coffee and cocktail bar from Weston Scott, owner of Ephemeral Rotating Taproom. It’ll serve Servant Coffee and breakfast burritos from Supreme Chicken Colfax in the morning, then switch to wine, cocktails, and local beer by night.

The motel includes 23 rooms consisting of 17 kings, 4 doubles, 2 suites, and a family room with bunks. Each one features mid century touches, vintage Fiestaware, Ecuadorean alpaca blankets, and local artwork for sale, all starting around $150 a night.

Xan Creative, known for Snooze, Ginger Pig, and Steuben’s, designed the interiors, while Sopher Sparn Architects restored the exterior and Studio Mast assisted with branding.

The neon sign shines again thanks to Morry's Neon, and the property now sits proudly on the National Register of Historic Places.

A lounge beneath El Piñon offers space for meetings or private events, and there’s a rooftop deck, EV chargers, and a few Airbnb style suites managed by the Effortless Rental Group.

“I like to bring these old places back to life,” says Beal — and that’s exactly what he’s done. But he’s not stopping there. Nathan is already working on another  restoration in the Cole neighborhood (Stay tuned).

The La Vista Motel is glowing again on Colfax, mixing nostalgia, design, and pure Denver character.