Story

Beyond the Stacks: A Library Redefined

Adaptive Reuse at Altitude: Innovative Partnerships Transform a Schoolhouse

Up at 9,600 feet above sea level in Breckenridge, Colorado, a stately schoolhouse has weathered more than a century of high altitude winters.  After Colorado Mountain College moved out of the school, the town leaders of Breckenridge knew they needed to get their hands on this gem. One of only two brick civic buildings in town, this Mission Revival school was unique in this former mining vernacular Victorian town. The question was: What to do with it?

Evening view of Breckenridge Library in the snow.

Exterior view on Opening Night.

Photo by Anderson Hallas Architects.

A New Vision

Our firm, Anderson Hallas Architects, was retained by the Town to lead the way towards a new vision for this old school. After some debate, the Town Council and Summit County Commissioners partnered to create a comprehensive Community Center for Breckenridge, as distinctive as the building itself. The County agreed that the building should house the South Branch of their library, with the former basketball court becoming the main Reading Room. The Town agreed to fill several gaps within the community by providing a variety of much needed meeting spaces, renting offices for local nonprofits, housing a local history archive and offering a new home for The Speakeasy Movie Theatre, Breckenridge’s very own first-run movie venue.

Main Reading Room.

Main Reading Room.

Photo by 360 Engineers.

Sustainable Preservation

All aspects of the design kept energy efficiency at the forefront. Work included new high-efficiency electrical and HVAC systems, structural upgrades, restoration and repairs to the windows and masonry, refinishing the original wood stairwells, adding insulation and enhancing ADA accessibility to the building.  Spectrum General Contractors, with the aid of many local subcontractors, led the construction.

More than just “Ssshhhh”…Libraries Redefined

The South Branch of the Summit County Library District has redefined the future of libraries. In addition to the growing collection, there are nooks and crannies for everyone to enjoy. The youngest readers can climb through a play structure; juniors have a tree house and cave to escape to; and the teens have their own zone -- complete with a booth for study groups and a gaming area for relaxing ….all visible by the librarians.

View toward the “Tippy Top” room and refinished stairwell at the Breckenridge Library.

View toward the “Tippy Top” room and refinished stairwell. Photo by Anderson Hallas Architects.

Photo by Anderson Hallas Architects.

After visiting the Yellow Arrow Coffee Shop, the rest of us can take our books  (or E-readers)  and choose a spot on the sunny outdoor reading deck, a cozy chair by the fireplace, a plethora of window seats,  or a host of  inviting chairs to take in the view of  Peak 8….or your eyelids.  New technology includes the ability for library card holders with internet access to print from anywhere. Carol Christensen, children’s programming manager of the South Branch library notes, “… these places that look so nice, they look so quiet and calming and inviting. It looks like this was always meant to be a library, the architecture and windows, it’s all so open and it looks like this was always meant to be.”

Après Ski?

After a day on the slopes, or an afternoon catching up on your reading, you can head downstairs to the cozy Speakeasy Theatre to catch a new blockbuster, complete with popcorn, snacks and libations.

View of the nonprofit office spaces at the Breckenridge Library.

View of the nonprofit office spaces.

Photo by Spectrum General Contractors.

Strategic Alliances at Altitude

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance and the Summit County Library Foundation formed a remarkable fundraising arm bringing in over $2,000,000 to help fund the project, including naming rights to Breckenridge Grand Vacations and an Energy Impact grant from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The overwhelming support by the community and additional private donors generated widespread excitement and enthusiasm throughout the design and construction phases.

Champagne at School??

On a brisk evening last January, the ribbon was cut with more than 750 people sharing in a chilly champagne toast at twilight to celebrate the new Breckenridge Grand Vacations Community Center. A 21-gun salute marked the reopening of the doors and  as the excited attendees made their way through the building, exclamations of “I love this building!” and “I remember this school!” could be heard over the cheers and embraces that enlivened the freshly-restored spaces.

Learn more: Visit the Breckenridge Grand Vacations Community Center yourself!  Get more information on this cool Breckenridge library.