Shopping Center Owner Proposes Demolishing Former Chez Artiste Theater

The University Hills neighborhood theater closed in 2024 after decades of operation.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:11am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, geometric objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the abstract themes of real estate development, urban transformation, and the tension between preserving community character and adapting to economic change.A modernist still life captures the complex mix of progress and loss as a longtime community theater faces demolition to make way for a shopping center's redevelopment.Denver Today

The owner of the shopping center where the shuttered Chez Artiste movie theater in Denver's University Hills neighborhood once operated is proposing to demolish the theater as part of a larger redevelopment and beautification effort for the property. The 2870 S. Colorado Blvd. shopping center is owned by Southern California-based Zurich Investment Co. and is anchored by a Walgreens drugstore and a Sprouts grocery store.

Why it matters

The closure and potential demolition of the longtime Chez Artiste theater highlights the changing landscape of retail and entertainment in Denver's neighborhoods. As shopping centers adapt to evolving consumer preferences and economic conditions, long-standing local businesses may be displaced, raising concerns about preserving community character and access to cultural amenities.

The details

Zurich Investment Co. has submitted plans to the city of Denver to redevelop the shopping center, which would involve demolishing the former Chez Artiste theater space and modifying the anchor buildings with new exterior finishes. The second strip of smaller tenants would also see some demolition, with the total retail space being reduced from 29,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet. The redevelopment plans also propose adding a new bank building on the northwest corner of the site.

  • Chez Artiste theater closed in August 2024 after operating since 1972.
  • Zurich Investment Co. submitted redevelopment plans to the city of Denver in March 2026.

The players

Zurich Investment Co.

A Southern California-based real estate investment company that owns the 2870 S. Colorado Blvd. shopping center in Denver's University Hills neighborhood.

Farnsworth Group

An architecture firm working on behalf of Zurich Investment Co. to redevelop the shopping center.

Landmark Theatres

The former owner of the Chez Artiste theater, which closed the location in August 2024.

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What’s next

The city of Denver will review Zurich Investment Co.'s redevelopment plans for the shopping center, including the proposed demolition of the former Chez Artiste theater space.

The takeaway

The closure and potential demolition of the long-running Chez Artiste theater reflects the broader challenges facing traditional retail and entertainment venues as shopping centers adapt to changing consumer preferences and economic conditions. This redevelopment raises questions about preserving community character and access to cultural amenities in Denver's neighborhoods.