Ivywild School Marketplace: How Renovation of an Abandoned School Sparked a Neighborhood Rebirth

 

The turn of the 20th century saw Colorado Springs’ Ivywild neighborhood blossom, and at the heart of it stood the Ivywild Elementary School. Built in 1916, this stately brick landmark served generations of students until declining enrollment prompted its closure in 2009. Left vacant, the facility risked becoming yet another relic—until visionaries stepped in with a bold proposition: restore the building not just to preserve its history, but to transform it into a vibrant community nucleus.

The Renaissance of a Schoolhouse

In March 2012, local entrepreneurs—Joe Coleman of Blue Star Restaurant fame and Mike Bristol of Bristol Brewing Co.—joined forces with architect Jim Fennell, forming a coalition rooted in civic pride, sustainability, and a love for local enterprise. They purchased the 20,000‑square‑foot school and set about retaining its architectural integrity—the grand façade, columns, original brickwork, wood ceilings, handprint murals, even the gym’s wooden floors—while retrofitting it with modern amenities.

Their guiding mission was simple yet ambitious: reconnect commerce with community. Cutting-edge sustainable design and the reuse of materials aligned with their shared ethos of environmental consciousness. But beyond buildings and breweries, they envisioned a gathering place where locals could convene, create, and celebrate.

A Marketplace That Marries Past and Present

On May 30, 2013, Ivywild School reopened—this time as a dynamic marketplace. Since then, it’s added an impressive roster of local businesses: Bristol Brewery and Pub, an all-day bakery and coffee bar, several eateries (like Detroit-style Decent Pizza Co., Gold Star Bakery, Ivywild Kitchen, Spark BBQ, and Salad or Bust), and even a whiskey tasting room downstairs with Axe & the Oak Whiskey House.

Today the space functions like a polished yet laid-back campus. 

The Bristol Pub overlooks its fermentation room and boasts shuffleboard and a sunny patio. 

The Principal’s Office, once a symbol of authority, now pours craft cocktails and morning lattes. 

Unique shops such as the Odds & Ends Emporium offer art and gifts, while downstairs, the cozy “Clubhouse” houses Loyal Coffee Roasters alongside repurposed classrooms. Even small startups like Who Gives a SCRAP found their start here, using recycled craft materials before moving on to a standalone storefront.

Revitalizing the Neighborhood, One Gathering at a Time

Ivywild School’s revival has catalyzed a broader neighborhood renaissance. What was once a dormant building is now a conveyor of joyful foot traffic, spontaneous encounters, and diverse events—from artisan markets and outdoor concerts to family-friendly festivals in the public square  .

Its design—wide hallways adorned with rotating local art, multiple patios overlooking Pikes Peak, and ADA‑compliant ramps—invites people of all ages and abilities to linger. The former gymnasium and classrooms have been repurposed as rentable event spaces, hosting weddings, corporate meetings, and film nights.

It’s a place that feels like a living textbook of a bygone era—yet is ever evolving.

Moreover, it’s more than a destination—it’s a laboratory for community building. It incubates small businesses, nurtures local talent, fuels entrepreneurship, and keeps money circulating within the neighborhood. 

That economic vitality has, in turn, incrementally heightened the whole area’s appeal. The project was even aided by urban‑renewal funding from the city, signaling institutional support for this grassroots-led revival  .

The Ripple Effect of One Building

The success of Ivywild School has sparked a renewed interest in adjacent park improvements, storefront activations, and pedestrian-friendly enhancements—proof that when a local institution is thoughtfully redeployed, the benefits cascade outwards.

It’s a model of reinvention that honors the past while meeting present needs—education of a different kind: neighborhood cohesion, cultural exchange, and shared prosperity.

A Living, Breathing Community Asset

Now open seven days a week, Ivywild School remains accessible—from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Whether you stop in for Detroit-style pizza, craft beer, soul‑warming BBQ, specialized whiskey, or hand‑crafted artisan goods, the marketplace offers both nourishment and connection  .

As a revitalized schoolhouse, the Ivywild School Marketplace illustrates the power of historic preservation infused with modern entrepreneurship. It sustains local business, fosters social capital, and bridges generations. 

In reclaiming its educational mission, it teaches us something: vibrant neighborhoods aren’t built overnight—but they can be awakened by creative stewardship and shared purpose.

In Ivywild’s case, a schoolhouse that once hosted children learning the three Rs now hosts an entire community learning anew how to come together—to eat, drink, work, create—and to write the next chapter of neighborhood life.

MORE INFORMATION

You can visit Ivywild School online too. 

I decided to write an article after my text to some friends about Ivywild drew so much interest back home. I sent a few photos and this text: I’m having tea in the Principal‘s Office Coffee Shop and Bar at the the Ivywild School Marketplace in Colorado Springs. This is so cool. They took an abandoned school that was built at the turn-of-the-century and turned it into a marketplace with different food vendors and meeting space and even a gym for event space. They are doing a murder mystery tonight. Absolutely a model for abandoned schools in Springfield like Boyd and York. This is a destination.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.