Entry No. 30 — the Denver file — filed under: artist studios
910Arts (former 7-Up bottling plant turned artist live-work complex)
Most people only hit the Santa Fe Arts District on First Friday, when it's mobbed — so almost no one knows you can just walk into 910Arts on a random weekday and roam the halls past open studio doors. The building was a 1920s livery, then a Seven-Up bottling plant, and the industrial bones (brick, loading bays) are still right there under the lofts where artists actually live above their own studios. It reads less like a gallery you found on a map and more like a place you accidentally wandered into. Studio hours vary by artist, so it's a treasure hunt — some doors open, some not.
The story
Most people only pull up to 910 Santa Fe Drive on First Friday, when the street is packed shoulder-to-shoulder and the district feels like a block party. You didn't hear it from us, but the real secret is walking in on a random Tuesday morning. What looks like an ordinary brick corner at 9th Avenue was built in the 1920s as horse stables, converted into a Seven-Up bottling plant, and later bounced between auto shops and a textile plant before Spector and Associates stepped in to redevelop it.
Instead of gutting the place or turning it into sterile condos, they kept the industrial bones—exposed brick walls, wide loading bays, and high ceilings—and turned it into a three-story live-work complex with 16 studios. Artists actually sleep, cook, and paint here above their open floor space. If you look closely along the exterior brick, you can still catch ghost traces of the old Seven-Up signage before you step through the entrance.
What it's like
Arriving on a quiet weekday feels less like visiting a curated museum and more like accidentally slipping into someone's studio hallway. You can freely roam three floors of corridors past 16 studios, but remember this is a working residential building—keep your voice down and respect the golden rule: only step inside studios where the doors are propped wide open. Studio hours are left entirely to each resident, so every visit is an unscripted treasure hunt where you might find three studios active or ten. If you get thirsty while wandering, grab a beverage or snack from Tonantzin Casa de Café on the building's ground floor.
The move: Slip in on a quiet weekday morning, wander the hallways and peek into whichever studios are open, then chat up an artist or two before walking the rest of Santa Fe Drive.
📍 Before you go You'll find it right on the spine of the Art District — 910 Santa Fe Drive near 9th Ave, the name lettered on the brick corner. On-street parking is plentiful, but read the signs; many spots cap at two hours before evening, and the ART Bus links the district to light rail. Remember this is a live-work complex — people actually live here, so keep your voice low and only step through doors left open. Daytime midweek is calmest; the first Friday of each month brings the packed, year-round evening Art Walk, while the quieter Sundays on Santa Fe are a gentler alternative. Pair it with the gallery-dense blocks up and down the street.
- 📍 Santa Fe Arts District
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 910 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204 (Santa Fe Drive at 9th Ave; former livery / Seven-Up bottling plant)
Hours: Building open to wander during business hours: Mon-Wed 7am-3pm, Thu-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 9am-4pm; individual studio hours vary, most also open First Friday 5-9pm.
Pair it with
- Invisible City — Located on the very same block, this hidden speakeasy-style lounge provides a secretive nightspot contrast to daytime studio wandering.
- Denver Art Society — Two blocks south on Santa Fe Drive, this volunteer-run artist co-op lets you continue exploring grassroots, uncurated local art.
- Room for Friends … a wine bar! — A two-minute walk down the street, this living-room-style storefront wine bar makes an easy pit stop after exploring the studio hallways.
- Noctavia Obscure — Just two blocks down Santa Fe, this tiny occult storefront and apothecary adds another offbeat stop to a daytime Santa Fe Drive walk.
Good to know
When is the best time to wander the halls quietly?
Midweek daytime hours (Mon–Wed 7am–3pm, Thu–Sat 8am–4pm, Sun 9am–4pm) offer the calmest atmosphere to walk the corridors without crowds.
Is there an admission fee to enter 910Arts?
No, walking through the building and viewing open studio spaces is completely free.
When are all the studio doors guaranteed to be open at once?
During the monthly First Friday Art Walk from 5pm to 9pm, almost all 16 studios open their doors to the public simultaneously.
How should I handle parking and transportation?
On-street parking is available along Santa Fe Drive, but check posted signs closely because many spaces carry a strict two-hour limit during the day. You can also take the ART Bus line, which connects the district directly to light rail.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · denversartdistrict.org · bucketlistcommunitynews.com
last checked: 2026-06-07