City of Boulder Reaches Tentative Agreement For 2121 Broadway Parking Lot Redevelopment

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Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Media contacts:

Mark Woulf, Assistant City Manager

Emi Smith, Media Relations

bouldercolorado.gov

City of Boulder reaches tentative agreement for 2121 Broadway parking lot redevelopment

Proposed hotel includes affordable commercial space, community gathering areas and public art

BOULDER, Colo. – The City of Boulder and Midnight Auteur, LLC have reached a tentative agreement for the sale of the surface parking lot at 2121 Broadway in downtown Boulder, advancing a proposal that would bring new economic investment and activity, community space and cultural amenities to the area.

The proposed development includes an approximately 110-room hotel in a central downtown location, supporting the city’s commitment to downtown revitalization and new investment to help strengthen the local economy. The hotel will also increase Boulder’s room capacity in the core downtown to host large-scale events.

The project features ground-level commercial space offered at below-market rates for qualifying local and independent businesses, along with publicly accessible gathering areas and a rooftop designed to support community connection and cultural exchange. The development team, known locally for the development and operation of Denver’s award-winning Ramble Hotel, has also committed to incorporating art and cultural events into the project, which is a core component of all its projects.

The site is currently owned and managed by the Central Area General Improvement District (CAGID) and includes 59 surface parking spaces. CAGID oversees 2,209 spaces across six parking structures and four surface lots. A parking study concluded that nearby garages have sufficient capacity to accommodate the parking currently provided at 2121 Broadway.

“This partnership represents an opportunity to turn a parking lot into an economic driver in our core downtown,” said Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City Manager. “The proposal creates tangible community benefits, from affordable space for local businesses to new public gathering areas and cultural amenities. It reflects a shared goal for a downtown that supports economic resilience and fosters connection, creativity and a strong sense of place.”

Midnight Auteur, LLC brought forward an unsolicited offer to the city in 2025, and the parties negotiated an agreement with this project to bring significant community benefit to Boulder. “Growing up in the Boulder area, one of my favorite memories was walking to Freddie’s after school, grabbing a couple hot dogs and watching the rhythm of Pearl Street. Musicians, students, families, visitors – it’s always been so dynamic,” said Ryan Diggins, CEO, Midnight Auteur. “That memory is a big part of why this project means so much to me. Creating a hotel just off Pearl Street is an incredible privilege and a responsibility; my hope is to build something additive to the vibrancy of Boulder – a place that serves both locals and travelers – and one that can be nimble enough to react to a city and its changing needs.

The Downtown Management Commission will review the proposed sale agreement on July 14, and City Council will review the final terms of the sale agreement in early August. For more information on doing business in Boulder, visit the city website.

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About Midnight Auteur

Midnight Auteur builds and operates hotels that immerse guests fully and seamlessly between social spaces and retreat, with a grand and celebratory all-day bar and restaurant enveloping each lobby. The company recently debuted its first property, Municipal Grand, a historically preserved boutique hotel in Savannah, Georgia, where the influence of world-renowned cocktail leader Death & Co is woven throughout a beverage-forward, convivial guest experience. Midnight Auteur was born from the successful partnership between The Ramble Hotel and Death & Co, which began nearly 9 years ago when the storied bar opened its second location in the lobby of the acclaimed Ramble Hotel. Created by the founders and operators of both companies, the partnership expands upon a globally recognized approach to cocktails and hospitality.

Ryan Diggins, founder and operator of The Ramble Hotel—a 50-room boutique hotel in Denver’s River North neighborhood—leads hotel concepting, development, and operations at Midnight Auteur. David Kaplan, founder of Death & Co—one of North America’s 50 Best Bars with four locations—and CEO of Gin & Luck, drives company growth and culture while overseeing marketing and retail. Alex Day, Chief Operating Officer at Midnight Auteur, leads all food and beverage operations while also serving as COO of Gin & Luck, overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations.

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