Punch Bowl Social To Open In Old Stapleton Tower

DENVER (CBS4) - Denver-based Seasoned Development plans to turn the old Stapleton Airport control tower into one of its Punch Bowl Social restaurant and entertainment centers.

The announcement came on Monday morning outside the location in Denver's Stapleton neighborhood.

The tower has been sitting vacant for 20 years.

Seasoned Development officials said it will take approximately a year to get the new Punch Bowl open. They also said they will be moving their headquarters to the office space at the bottom of the tower.

"As a company, we are intentional about seeking out locations that have historic roots but need a new purpose. There's a lot of interest in seeing the tower preserved and we intend to retain the character that's so familiar and appealing to locals and visitors alike," Punch Bowl Social founder Robert Thompson said in a prepared statement.

The building is said to be structurally sound, but the new tenants will have a lot of work to do on the interior, "which has degraded substantially since 1995." Plans call for expanding the lower two levels "in a manner consistent with the historic architecture."

It's not clear if the actual tower will be open to patrons.

"This community has been looking for a way to activate the tower space for a long time," said Denver City Council President Chris Herndon, who represents Stapleton. "Punch Bowl Social offers a family-friendly environment for dining and entertainment."

There is currently a Punch Bowl Social in Denver on 65 Broadway. There are also locations in Portland, Austin and Detroit.