The Dark Horse bar has been the hangout for University of Colorado Boulder students for 50 years. Now, the Boulder staple will officially move from its home at 2922 Baseline Road after the Boulder City Council unanimously approved a plan to redevelop that land into a multi-building complex with more than 400 residential units and commercial space.
The Williams Village II project plans to redevelop 7.96 acres of the existing 9.86 acres at 2952 Baseline Road. After leveling all of the existing buildings on the property, save for the Broker Inn, crews will erect five buildings with 427 residential units, 122 of which will be for students in their own building. There will also be 58,365 square feet of commercial space.
The Dark Horse will operate in its current location until the second phase of the development begins, possibly next year, according to past reporting from the Daily Camera. The brown-bricked building is part of Boulder’s cultural zeitgeist and is tucked aside the U.S. 36 exit ramp, greeting motorists to the city. Despite that and plenty of public uproar, Boulder’s historic preservation staff approved the demolition of the building in December 2024. The Dark Horse will move to a 6,000-square-foot building elsewhere on the property.
The Sprouts Farmers Market on the plot of land will be moved to a different spot on the property. Other buildings being demolished include a Conoco gas station, Cosmo’s Pizza, Ristorante Italiano and Moe’s BBQ, among others. The project will spare a portion of the property’s parking lot.
Developer Morgan Creek Ventures envisions the mixed-use development having a public hangout space with parks, plazas, more than 11 new trees, and pollinator-friendly plants. Much to the delight of the council, the space will also have pedestrian-friendly blocks and bike storage. Residents will have their own pool and spa, as well.
The development timeline is a little unclear. The second development phase will begin when the first one ends. The first development phase focuses on constructing the student housing-only building.