Nathan Beal / La Vista Motel

Nathan Beal and his partners in preservation looked past the so-called "stucco monster" façade of the run-down La Vista Motel and saw the opportunity to restore a piece of Colfax Avenue's history. In this conversation with Colorado's State Historic Preservation Officer, Dawn DiPrince, Nathan shares the story of acquiring the property in 2022 and restoring it as a charming motor lodge. He discusses collaborating with a talented designer to recapture the spirit of mid-century road travel, as well as the unexpected challenge of inheriting outdated online reviews. Nathan reflects on the neighborhood's enthusiastic response to the motel's reopening and the role thoughtful preservation can play in bringing new life to historic places.