City of Fort Collins seeks tenant for Butterfly Building

FORT COLLINS — Long before Google came along, there was Googie architecture, and the city of Fort Collins wants to preserve and lease a small building it owns that features the space-age design created in the 1940s.

The city has put out a request for proposals hoping to attract a tenant for the 400-square-foot building it recently moved to 212 LaPorte Ave., as part of the city’s project to construct a new administration building for its utilities division.

Googie architecture is a form of modern architecture, influenced by car culture, jets and the Atomic Age. The style originated in Southern California and was popular for about 20 years. It was most used by builders of motels, coffee houses and gas stations. Features of Googie include upswept roofs, curvaceous, geometric shapes, and bold use of glass, steel and neon.

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The building, referred to as the Butterfly Building, was constructed in 1964 by The Creamery and used as a laboratory. It is considered one of the best examples of Googie architecture in the city. It features bold angles and concrete bricks as distinguishing characteristics. The Landmark Preservation Commission is in the process of establishing it as a Fort Collins Landmark, according to Karen McWilliams, historic preservation manager for the city.

“We hope the tenant can open alongside the new (utilities) building,” said Brian Hergott, a project manager for the city.

The city gathered input on potential uses from the community for several months and hopes to continue the creative process. Popular ideas so far include using the building as a coffee/bike shop, a historical information center; and an ice cream parlor and/or snack stand.

“The request for proposals allows tenants creativity and freedom for ideas,” said Annie Bierbower, civic engagement liaison for city.

The city would consider waiving a portion of the monthly rent for a negotiated period of time to help offset any major building improvements that could be used by a future tenant.

A pre-proposal meeting will be held at 3 p.m., Jan. 14, in the Training Room on the second floor of Operation Services, 300 LaPorte Ave., Building B. A tour of the building will be part of the meeting.

Proposals are due Jan. 28, and a tenant selection will be made by March 1.

View the request for proposals and instructions for submission here.