The formerly vacant 1880s iron foundry has become an active outlet for some of Denver’s best artisans to share their craft. The Source inspires a community-oriented philosophy and is known as a gathering place for River North neighbors, surrounding metro area residents and guests traveling from around the country. Here visitors enjoy the collective of food artisans, craftsmen and retailers.

Beyond being Denver’s first modern market hall, The Source has been a driving force in putting the River North (River North) neighborhood on the international map. Five years after The Source first opened, Zeppelin is expanding the complex to include 100 hotel rooms in River North's first independent hospitality offering, as well as two new restaurants, retail goods, and a brewery by New Belgium.

River North is a neighborhood whose history is rooted in industry; it’s a place where things were made. With The Source, Zeppelin has not only embraced but re-activated this culture, bringing production back to River North. The Source is a melting pot of makers culture: butchery, bakery, coffee roasting, culinary artisans, craft cocktails, ceramics, leather goods and even New Belgium’s first Denver brewery where they’ll be brewing new and experimental beers on site.

For guests, The Source invites you not only to experience the products but the process of active production taking place in many of the storefronts, designed to showcase the craft. The space maintains excitement with a rotating series of popups and residencies highlighting everything from farmers markets and small local craftsman and artisans to internationally reputable food, fashion and design groups.

For tenants, the space creates a natural flow and density so they don’t have to go it alone in the world of small business. Instead, they are surrounded by complementary ventures. This co-location creates a multiplier effect for each business, as visitors and destination shoppers discover the many other vendors throughout each market hall.

When Kyle Zeppelin first entered the abandoned former 1880s iron foundry building, he saw through its neglected state to the elements that suggested latent potential: a lofty warehouse filled with natural light, 40-foot peaked ceilings and a massive steel crane. Working with architect Stephen Dynia, a conscious decision was made to preserve the buildings original character and industrial texture.

The focus was on raw materials, with design that highlighted and pushed production to the forefront, like a glass-fronted butchers case and front-of-house coffee roaster. Large roll-up storefronts and 18 ft tall glass garage doors open the building. The striking signature Source blue was chosen because of its stark contrast with the natural materials. It excites areas of interaction and points of interest while abundant graffiti left over from decades of misuse adds color to interior and exterior walls. The original foundry crane still hovers among the rafters as an homage to the past and reminder of the present purpose. In 2015, The Source was the recipient of the Mayor’s Design Award.

The new Source Market Hall and Hotel was designed to be a modern counterpoint to the original 1880s foundry. It values the same principles of light, airiness and large-format spaces but takes advantage of new building techniques and materials. As the neighborhood’s first high-rise, the tower was designed to resemble a stack of the smaller-scale industrial buildings that embody River North’s architectural character.

The hotel continues a focus on minimalism and natural materials, borrowing from Scandinavian and Japanese design traditions. In addition to windows providing expansive views of the mountains and cityscape, in-room garage doors open to bring the outdoors in. High ceilings, concrete floors, design-forward furnishings and custom wallpaper punctuate the space. Local craftsmen created art and other room finishes, and guests will notice the integrated relationship between the vendors in the expanded market hall and amenities found in the rooms.

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