Denver’s storied Sports Castle might finally be getting a new chapter, with Seattle-based ski and bike retailer Evo weighing a move into the ornate, century-old landmark on Broadway. Concept drawings now on file sketch out a comeback that keeps the terracotta drama on the outside, carves out space for retail and events inside, and tops it all off with a rooftop hangout. If it happens, the deal would return a national outdoor name to a building longtime locals still associate with Gart Bros. and, later, Sports Authority.
Plans filed show rooftop and preservation work
According to plans filed with the city in December 2025, and reported by The Denver Post, Kemberlin Architecture has outlined a concept package focused first on saving the building’s historic skin. The documents call for stabilizing and restoring the Sports Castle’s terracotta cladding and stained-glass elements, while also adding extensive interior improvements: new walls and ceilings, updated bathrooms, exit stairways, an elevator, and modern lighting. The plans also show a roughly 4,500-square-foot rooftop amenity that could connect to an outdoor deck. For now, all of this remains conceptual, with the filing serving as an early design package rather than a formal permit application.
Evo says it's cautious but intrigued
BusinessDen reports that Evo founder and CEO Bryce Phillips has his eye on the building but is not rushing the decision. Calling the Sports Castle “an icon,” Phillips said the company is in the middle of feasibility and budgeting work before it commits to buying. Evo already runs a cluster of storefronts a block off Broadway and, based on the filings, would likely occupy most of the building while layering in tenant-friendly draws such as a bar, an equipment-service shop, and grab-and-go food and beverage options. Phillips also acknowledged that permitting and construction costs are no small hurdle, and said the goal would be to create both a retail hub and a community gathering space.
A century of auto showrooms and ski sales
The Sports Castle’s dramatic look dates back to 1926, when it opened as the Cullen-Thompson Motor Company Chrysler showroom, designed by architect Jacques Benedict. Its Beaux-Arts-inspired terracotta facade, stained glass, and sweeping staircase helped make it one of Broadway’s standout buildings, as Westword notes. Gart Bros. moved in around 1971, cementing the property’s reputation with generations of local skiers and sports fans. The building later became Sports Authority’s flagship until the chain’s collapse in 2016. In the years since, the property has hosted periodic events and pop-ups while various developers debated how to bring it fully back to life without sacrificing its historic character.
Ownership, price and the preservation push
Public records show that a partnership led by Tom McLagan of Hyder Construction acquired the Sports Castle and its adjacent lot in 2021, in a deal totaling roughly $6.5 million. Earlier coverage from BusinessDen notes that the new ownership group intended to pursue historic recognition and shore up the facade as part of any reuse strategy. Whether Evo ends up buying the property outright or signing a long-term lease, the parties would still need to work through negotiations, due diligence, and city approvals before any major construction could start.
What to watch next
For now, the project sits firmly in the concept phase. City review of the Kemberlin drawings, ongoing property talks, and Evo’s own feasibility studies all stand between the current owners and any serious buildout, Westword reports. Evo’s Denver flagship remains a block away on Broadway, according to the company’s website, and the retailer already has a history of turning older buildings into combined retail and event spaces. Neighbors, preservation advocates, and city officials are likely to keep a close eye on how the design, financing, and permits evolve, as Denver waits to see whether the Sports Castle gets its next big act.
