Boulder arts district plan includes 2,500-seat venue and housing
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Renderings of the Pearl Art District. Photo: Conscience Bay Co.
A Boulder-based developer wants to transform a largely overlooked corner near Boulder Junction into a dense, walkable arts district anchored by housing, retail, a hotel and a 2,500-seat performing arts venue.
Why it matters: The proposal has the potential to reshape the eastern edge of the city into a cultural anchor — adding much-needed housing and a major events space while accelerating the city's long-term vision for Boulder Junction as a transit-oriented district.
Driving the news: Conscience Bay Co. is pitching what it's calling the Pearl Arts District on roughly 11 acres along the train tracks at Foothills and Pearl parkways.
- Daniel Aizenman, director of development and design for Conscience Bay, told Axios Boulder the company envisions creating a "15-minute city," where residents can reach daily needs on foot or bike.
- The plan would also help complete the area's evolution into a transportation hub tied to existing bus service and the future train station.
"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity" Aizenman told us.
Behind the scenes: Conscience Bay has owned the land since 2013, and today it holds two tin warehouses with small businesses, including the soon-to-close Sanitas Brewing.
- But the developer says the current layout is "not sustainable," and it has spent the past three years studying how to reimagine the site.
Between the lines: A marketplace study pointed to a gap in large-scale entertainment venues — a finding echoed by industry contacts.
- Existing venues such as the Boulder Theater and Fox Theatre top out at about 1,000 seats, and most larger spaces are controlled by the University of Colorado.
In addition to the venue, which would aim to host at least 180 events a year, the proposal includes 55,000 square feet for arts and cultural space, including rehearsal facilities.
- It calls for 500 homes and a 150-room hotel, 30,000 square feet of retail and a park along the south end of the site along with playgrounds and a carousel.
- A parking garage would sit beside the concert venue, serving as a buffer between the train and arts space.
- Aizenman said the site would feature all-electric buildings and is exploring geothermal systems through a state grant.
Zoom out: While Conscience Bay helped pitch Boulder as a host for the Sundance Film Festival, Aizenman says the district isn't being designed around any single event — though they hope the venue could one day host Sundance programming.
- "People ask, 'Are you building it for Sundance?' No, were building it for the community," Aizenman told us.
What's next: The project will require the creation of a "Pearl Arts District," and a governing body to oversee the district.
- Aizenman aims to secure a concept review from Boulder City Council in the first half of 2026, complete site review by 2028 and demolition starting in 2030.
- If all goes to plan, Aizenman said, the hope is for the concert venue, parking garage and hotel to open in 2031.