Theodora Family Hotel
Published Thursday, May 7, 2026
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project Type: Multifamily, five-story, 60-unit new construction
Location: Denver, CO
Performance: 2020 NGBS MF New Construction, Silver level (Jul 2025)
Website: Theodora Family Hotel
Download Full Case Study as PDF
PROJECT TEAM
Owner/Operator: Volunteers of America Colorado
Architect: Shopworks Architecture
Financing: Total cost $28 million from the City of Denver ($17.7 million) from RISE Denver General Obligation Bonds ($13.2 million) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding ($4.5 million)
Verifier: Ben Hoesly, NGBS Green Verifier, Group 14 Engineering
VERIFIER VOICE
“The Theodora Family Hotel is committed to improving the community by creating a building that fosters an ecologically sustainable, healthy, and prosperous environment. Through thoughtful design and green building practices, we are helping to improve quality of life for all residents and the broader Denver community.”
- Ben Hoesly, NGBS Green Verifier, Sustainability Consultant, Group 14 Engineering, PBC
Overview
The Theodora Family Hotel, a new five-story shelter designed to accommodate up to 60 families and veterans experiencing homelessness, provides comprehensive support services and temporary housing with private suites that include sleeping areas, bathrooms, kitchenettes, and living spaces. The facility emphasizes trauma-informed design principles, creating a safe and welcoming environment for residents. Amenities include a communal dining area, shared laundry rooms, a classroom, a community lounge, a business center, children's play areas, and a large central outdoor courtyard with a custom playground. An underground garage offers 27 parking spaces.
Owned and operated by Volunteers of America (VOA) Colorado, the facility aims to address the urgent need for non-congregate shelter options in the region. VOA Colorado provides meals and offers on-site services such as crisis intervention, case management, and educational and social programming, aiming to transition families into stable, affordable housing.
Green Features & Practices
- Building located on the site of an old motel building and within walking distance to transit, parks, and other community resources
- Trauma-informed design promote safety and healing
- Biophilic design elements connect residents with nature
- Energy-efficient appliances and lighting, EV chargers
- Efficient drip irrigation system expected to save approximately 19 million gallons of water annually
About VOA Colorado
Volunteers of America (VOA) Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, VOA Colorado changes the lives of nearly 100,000 people in-need each year. Their services include housing and emergency services, hunger and nutrition services, and other community support services. Their work touches "mind, body, and heart" of those they serve by integrating compassion into their programming and offering services that build and strengthen communities.
About Shopworks Architecture
Shopworks Architecture was founded with a bold vision to design communities that restore dignity. The firm's founders believed that architecture should heal, empower, and inspire. Shopworks has pioneered the practice of trauma-informed design, an approach that considers how the built environment impacts all of us, especially those who have experienced hardship. The concept is simple but powerful: natural light, community gathering spaces, safety, and beauty are not luxuries, but necessities.
COMMUNITY & RESIDENT IMPACT
The Theodora Family Hotel is designed to reduce homelessness in Denver, particularly among families and veterans. By replacing the outdated VOA Family Motel with a modern, service-rich facility, the Theodora Family Hotel enhances the city's capacity to provide effective, compassionate support to those in need. The Theodora Hotel offers a comprehensive support system to help residents regain stability.
The Theodora Family Hotel has been recognized for its innovative approach to shelter design and its commitment to serving vulnerable populations. The project has garnered attention from local media and city officials, highlighting its role in Denver's broader strategy to combat homelessness.