Stanley Film Center Project to Move Forward

Four years in the making, the Stanley Film Center—a museum and interactive film center dedicated to horror films—will break ground this spring on the grounds of the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park.

Drawing on the hotel’s (in)famous haunted reputation, and its role as the inspiration for the hotel in Stephen King’s novel The Shining, the Stanley Film Center will feature a world-class auditorium, film discovery center, archives, and production spaces.

The project comes to life thanks to the approval of an extension for a $86 million tax-increment financing deal through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, which funds tourism-related projects around the state. In combination with financing from Live Oak Bank in North Carolina, the $40 million project will break ground in the coming months.

“That extension allows me to go ahead and start the closing process, which we expect in the next four to five weeks,” said hotel owner John Cullen in BizWest. “We hope to commence construction in March or April — which will take 18 months.”

The project will mark the largest of several MOA projects on the Stanley Hotel campus. A full-scale remodel of the Stanley’s historic Carriage House is currently under construction. The Carriage House will be home to an Estes Park location of the Post Brewing Company restaurant as well as a small theater.

“We have really enjoyed working with John and the Stanley over the past several years,” said Jack Mousseau, principal-in-charge of projects on the campus. “The Stanley Hotel is a true Colorado icon, and we are so excited to incorporate this film center into the campus.”