The Sluice

Mixed Use
Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs

The Sluice transformed an underutilized historic building in Old Colorado City (OCC) into a thriving ecosystem of business, retail, and creative culture. The Sluice is a nod to the building’s past which was originally built as a general store to provide supplies and goods to early pioneers. A Sluice is a device used in separating and recovering gold in running water. It is the oldest building in the County and was originally constructed in 1859 with sandstone quarried from Red Rock Canyon. Portions of the stone walls are still visible.

The 12,000 square foot building houses small businesses, an art gallery, a coffee shop, artist studios, and Echo Architecture’s studio. Tiered bleacher seating provides a flexible space to host a variety of small community events and creates a buffer between the more private office spaces and the public spaces up front. The design compliments and allows the existing steel bowstring structure, wood barrel vaulted ceiling, and brick perimeter walls to be on display throughout the building. An outdoor patio helps activate the street front and allows the businesses to open up to the exterior as well as providing additional space and flexibility for events.