Lois Larson
The Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, closed in 1995 and was replaced by the Denver International Airport. The Stapleton Airport control tower, built in the 1960s, is one of the last remaining structures of the former airport. The tower stands at 164 feet and offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding Central Park neighbourhood and the Denver skyline. For the first time in 25 years, the public will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the tower and learn about its history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 164 feet |
| Number of floors | 11 |
| Year opened | 1929 |
| Year closed | 1995 |
| Current use | Restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue |
| Former use | Denver's main airport control tower |
| Renovation status | Under renovation |
| Accessibility | Not ADA accessible; no elevator access |
| Tours | Available for $10 |
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What You'll Learn
The Stapleton International Airport closed in 1995
Stapleton International Airport, Denver's primary airport, was closed down in 1995. The airport, which opened in 1929, was replaced by the newly constructed Denver International Airport (DIA). The last revenue flight to land at Stapleton was Delta Flight 569 from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, scheduled for 7:59 pm on February 27, 1995. The final flight to depart from Stapleton was Continental Flight 34, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, bound for London Gatwick Airport, which took off at 9:27 pm. After Flight 34 cleared the runway at 9:39 pm, the airport was officially shut down, marking the end of 65 years of service.
The decision to close Stapleton International Airport was mainly due to issues with the runways. The runways were too close together, requiring air traffic controllers to stagger aircraft movements. Additionally, most of the runways were too short, especially considering the airport's altitude of 5,333 feet above sea level. The new Denver International Airport addressed these issues by constructing longer runways, with the shortest runway being 12,000 feet in length.
The closure of Stapleton International Airport also coincided with the increasing demand for international air travel and the growth of larger aircraft. The original airport struggled to accommodate this increased demand and the larger size of modern jets.
Following its closure, the Stapleton site underwent redevelopment. Most of the airport infrastructure was removed, with the exception of the control tower, which remained untouched and vacant for 20 years. The tower, built in the 1960s, now serves as a restaurant and entertainment venue, offering climbing tours to the public. The surrounding area has been transformed into a thriving community, with residential neighbourhoods, schools, and parks.
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The control tower is 164 feet tall
Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, was decommissioned in 1995. The airport's 12-story control tower, which stands at 164 feet, was retained and served as a restaurant and social gathering spot. The tower is now closed to the public but is available for private tours.
The height of an airport control tower is important as it allows air traffic controllers to have a good view of the airport and its surroundings. This is essential for managing air traffic and ensuring airport safety and efficiency. The Stapleton International Airport control tower, at 164 feet, would have provided controllers with a bird's-eye view of the airport and the surrounding area, including the nearby Rocky Mountains.
While the Stapleton International Airport control tower is relatively short compared to other control towers in the United States, it is still an impressive structure. For example, the control tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the tallest in the country, stands at 398 feet. Other tall control towers in the US include those at Orlando International Airport (345 feet) and Indianapolis International Airport (349.5 feet).
Despite its shorter stature, the Stapleton International Airport control tower played an important role in Denver's aviation history. It is one of the last remaining structures of the former airport and has been repurposed for entertainment and dining, allowing the public to experience a piece of Denver's aviation past.
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The airport was replaced by Denver's largest residential neighbourhood
Stapleton International Airport, which opened in 1929, was Denver's first international airport. It played an important role in the city's development as a national transportation and shipping hub due to its central location and proximity to military bases. However, as Denver grew, the airport struggled to keep up with the city's aviation needs. The runways were too close together, causing delays as air traffic controllers had to stagger airplane movements. Most of the runways were also too short, and the airport was located at 5,333 feet above sea level.
As a result, the decision was made to close the airport in 1995 and replace it with the new Denver International Airport. The Stapleton site was then redeveloped into a residential and commercial neighborhood called Central Park, which has become Denver's largest residential neighborhood with 30,000+ residents. The area boasts award-winning parks, pools, and schools, and a diverse array of people, homes, and lifestyles.
While most of the airport's infrastructure has been removed, the iconic control tower remains. It is one of the last remaining structures of the former airport and has been renovated and opened to the public for climbing tours. The base of the tower is now home to an aviation-themed brewpub and entertainment center, FlyteCO Brewing, which offers bowling, mini golf, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Central Park neighborhood and Denver skyline.
The transformation of the Stapleton area from an airport to a bustling community in just 25 years is a remarkable example of successful urban redevelopment. The community has embraced the change, and property values have skyrocketed. Today, the only reminder of the area's aviation past is the towering control tower, which has found new life as a public attraction and entertainment venue.
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The tower is now home to an aviation-themed brewpub
The Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, was decommissioned in 1995. The airport, which first opened in 1929, played a significant role in Denver's development as a national transportation and shipping hub. However, due to the proximity of its runways, the airport was forced to close, and a new, larger airport was built to serve the city's aviation needs.
The Stapleton Airport was then demolished, and the site was redeveloped into what is now Denver's largest residential neighbourhood, Central Park. Interestingly, the air traffic control tower and the building at its base were left untouched and remained vacant for 20 years.
In 2017, Punch Bowl Social, an adult-oriented, family-friendly bowling alley, arcade, and restaurant chain, took over the property. They renovated the first two floors of the tower and installed a patio with a mini-golf course. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020, this business had to shut its doors.
While the top of the tower is currently under renovation, FlyteCo has expressed a desire to open it up to the public, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding neighbourhood, the Denver skyline, and the Rocky Mountains. In the meantime, the tower has become a distinctive landmark in Central Park, even featuring as the official symbol of the registered neighbourhood group, Central Park United Neighbors.
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The tower is open for tours
The tower is now home to FlyteCo Brewing, an aviation-themed brewpub and entertainment center. While the first three floors of the tower have been renovated and were previously accessible to the public, the top of the tower has remained closed until now. The $10 tours, which began in mid-November 2023, are currently available each Wednesday for the foreseeable future, with the company hoping to add more tour dates soon.
The tower, which does not have an elevator, requires climbing 11 flights of stairs, and attendees will have to sign waivers. Along the way, tour guides will provide insights into the role of air traffic control in aviation and the history of the bygone Stapleton Airport. Once at the top, guests will be treated to a breathtaking, unparalleled 360-degree view of the surrounding Central Park neighborhood, the Denver skyline, and the majestic Rocky Mountains in the distance.
The tower is one of the last remaining structures of Denver's former Stapleton International Airport, which was once the city's largest airport. The airport played an important role in Denver's development as a national transportation and shipping hub due to its central location and proximity to military bases. Now, the area has been redeveloped into Denver's largest residential neighborhood, Central Park.
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Frequently asked questions
The Stapleton International Airport control tower is 164 feet tall.
The Stapleton International Airport closed in 1995.
The Stapleton International Airport control tower is now home to an aviation-themed brewpub and entertainment center called FlyteCo Brewing.
Yes, the public can access the first three floors of the tower. Tours of the tower are also available for \$10 per ticket.
The Stapleton International Airport was demolished and replaced with Central Park, a residential neighborhood. The control tower and some hangars were retained and are now used by various organizations, including the Denver Police Academy and Arise Church Denver.
