{"id":2448934,"date":"2019-09-19T22:00:01","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T04:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it\/"},"modified":"2019-09-19T22:00:01","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T04:00:01","slug":"downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Downtown Aspen\u2019s jazz center ready to rock it"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.8119834710744\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-313158-86\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | People mill past the Red Onion on Thursday. In the next couple of years, the space above the historic bar and the buildings next door will be transformed into a jazz center and a permanent home for Jazz Aspen Snowmass.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>People mill past the Red Onion on Thursday. In the next couple of years, the space above the historic bar and the buildings next door will be transformed into a jazz center and a permanent home for Jazz Aspen Snowmass.<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5.jpg\" alt=\"People mill past the Red Onion on Thursday. In the next couple of years, the space above the historic bar and the buildings next door will be transformed into a jazz center and a permanent home for Jazz Aspen Snowmass.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Carolyn Sackariason\/The Aspen Times | Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a poster showing an image of BIllie Holiday outside of the Red Onion in the 1950s. Many jazz greats came to Aspen and performed there during that era.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a poster showing an image of BIllie Holiday outside of the Red Onion in the 1950s. Many jazz greats came to Aspen and performed there during that era.<\/strong><br \/>Carolyn Sackariason\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-1.jpg\" alt=\"Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a poster showing an image of BIllie Holiday outside of the Red Onion in the 1950s. Many jazz greats came to Aspen and performed there during that era.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Courtesy rendering | A rendering of what a new jazz center will look like on the Cooper Avenue Mall.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-2\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"7\">\n<p><strong>A rendering of what a new jazz center will look like on the Cooper Avenue Mall.<\/strong><br \/>Courtesy rendering<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-2.jpg\" alt=\"A rendering of what a new jazz center will look like on the Cooper Avenue Mall.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Carolyn Sackariason\/The Aspen Times | Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a photo of Billie Holiday in the 1950s in front of the Red Onion. Horowitz and developer Mark Hunt have approvals to redevelop the Red Onion building and adjacent properties into a performance center and a permanent home for the nonprofit.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a photo of Billie Holiday in the 1950s in front of the Red Onion. Horowitz and developer Mark Hunt have approvals to redevelop the Red Onion building and adjacent properties into a performance center and a permanent home for the nonprofit.<\/strong><br \/>Carolyn Sackariason\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/09\/JASCenter-atd-092019-5-3.jpg\" alt=\"Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a photo of Billie Holiday in the 1950s in front of the Red Onion. Horowitz and developer Mark Hunt have approvals to redevelop the Red Onion building and adjacent properties into a performance center and a permanent home for the nonprofit.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">When Jim Horowitz got the <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x1427140:N0x11f9100N0x11e9d08\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/downtown-aspen-properties-get-go-ahead-for-new-performing-center\/\">go-ahead<\/a> earlier this month from Aspen\u2019s elected officials to create a jazz performance center in the heart of downtown, he looked over his shoulder in City Council chambers wondering what just happened.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI thought, \u2018Did a mosquito just bite me?\u2019\u201d the president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass said this week. \u201cIt happened so quickly \u2026 it was one of the funnier moments.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In a town where land-use approvals are hard to come by without a lot of controversy and public opinion, Horowitz and <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x1427260:N0x11f9100N0x11e9eb8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/mark-hunt-buys-red-onion-building-for-18-million\/\">developer Mark Hunt\u2019s<\/a> plans sailed through the city approval process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Under the purview of the city\u2019s all-citizen, seven-member historic preservation commission, which gave unanimous approval in August, the project was subject to \u201ccall up\u201d by City Council if it chose to question certain elements of the plan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But council members Sept. 9 chose not to do that, effectively granting JAS and Hunt a clear path to develop a performing arts center next to and above the historic Red Onion on the Cooper Avenue Mall.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI tried to have no expectations but was prepared\u201d for questioning from the council and the public at the Sept. 9 meeting, Horowitz said. \u201cYou think of what could have happened because there is always uncertainty when you develop in the downtown core.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The approval came within a year of <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x14272c0:N0x11f9100N0x11ea188\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/new-jas-performance-center-will-be-built-around-historic-red-onion-in-downtown-aspen\/\">JAS announcing<\/a> that it was under contract to purchase the space, located at 416, 420 and 422 E. Cooper Ave. from Hunt for $15 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">As part of the contract, Hunt will build out the spaces to suit JAS\u2019 needs. The deal closes when the space is complete.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Development next to the Red Onion could have looked much different. Hunt bought the property with the rights to build second and third stories to accommodate a free-market penthouse at a maximum height of 38 feet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That approval came in before the city banned free-market residential in the core and limited building heights to 28 feet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">With those development rights in hand, Hunt was in a position to make tens of millions of dollars.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But he had a different vision: a live music venue, rehearsal space and educational programming, as well as a gathering area for community organizations and nonprofits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Hunt has said in the past his \u201cultimate goal is to connect the town with the people who live here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Horowitz said finding a permanent home for JAS has been part of the strategic plan for years but only until recently has the nonprofit organization started to look at downtown properties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThe Crystal Palace was the original object for our dream,\u201d he said, adding that then the recession hit in 2008 and the building subsequently was sold to Hunt, who is now developing it into a <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x14273e0:N0x11f9100N0x11ea698\" href=\"http:\/\/crystalpalaceproject.com\/\">boutique hotel<\/a>. \u201cWe thought there would never be anything like this again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In the past couple of years, Horowitz had been shopping different properties in the commercial core but hadn\u2019t found the ideal location.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe had luck in Mark Hunt calling us,\u201d Horowitz said. \u201cWe fell into the right property.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Hunt, who also owns the Bidwell Building at 434 E. Cooper Ave., which is located next to the property that will serve as the JAS Center\u2019s entrance and photo gallery, envisions connecting the two to support the performance space\u2019s food service.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Home furnishings retailer <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x1427440:N0x11f9100N0x11ea968\" href=\"https:\/\/www.restorationhardware.com\/content\/category.jsp?context=ChicagoCafe\">Restoration Hardware<\/a>, the future anchor tenant for the redeveloped Bidwell Building, introduced restaurants to its operations four years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Horowitz said the future eatery in Aspen\u2019s Restoration Hardware will offer the food and catering for the JAS Center menu.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">This past spring, Horowitz and Hunt\u2019s team worked on the floor plan of the new JAS Center with the Bidwell building in mind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">There will be a shared corridor between 434 and 422 E. Cooper, the latter of which is a <a id=\"N0x11f9100N0x14274a0:N0x11f9100N0x11eaba8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/trending\/tesla-zooms-out-of-aspen-closes-showroom-on-cooper-mall\/\">former vintage poster shop<\/a> and will be occupied this winter by Gwyneth Paltrow\u2019s pop-up store, goop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That building will serve as the entrance to the JAS Center, which will lead to a second-floor lobby and photo gallery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That space will connect to the second floor of the Red Onion, which will have a lounge and bar that has sightlines to the stage in the adjoining building.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The JAS Center\u2019s main venue area and stage will be in the building located 416 E. Cooper Ave., which currently houses a retail store on the mall level and office on the second floor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The center will utilize the building\u2019s second floor outdoor terrace that will be open so that people on the mall can enjoy the sounds from above.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Hunt will deliver a shell in the building and it will be up to JAS to finish the interior.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Also in the 9,000-square-foot space is a green room, wine locker, catering kitchen and hangout areas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The plan is to break ground in April and be open in June 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Horowitz said there are many exciting aspects of the new JAS Center, not the least of which is the photo gallery on the second floor of the entrance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">With more than 45,000 photographs in the JAS archive, plus more from other photographers over the nonprofit\u2019s 29 years, Horowitz said there will be rotating exhibitions focusing on different genres and artists who have performed here, whether it\u2019s blues, funk or rock \u2019n\u2019 roll, to name a few.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">And by digitizing video from some of the more recent stage productions with high-tech light shows, there will be a video wall displaying different concerts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s an interactive opportunity just like you\u2019d go to a museum and put on headphones,\u201d Horowitz said. \u201cWhen this gets legs we can really get this off the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:csackariason@aspentimes.com\">csackariason@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/local\/downtown-aspens-jazz-center-ready-to-rock-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People mill past the Red Onion on Thursday. In the next couple of years, the space above the historic bar and the buildings next door will be transformed into a jazz center and a permanent home for Jazz Aspen Snowmass.Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times Jim Horowitz, president and CEO of Jazz Aspen Snowmass, holds up a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2448934","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-27 00:58:30","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2448934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448934\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2448934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2448934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2448934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}