Royal Palace Motel

Have you ever heard whispers of Denver’s scandalous past? Let’s talk about the Royal Palace Motel. This abandoned building stands as a silent testament to a bygone era. The Royal Palace Motel, once a beacon of modernity at the bustling intersection of Colfax Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, opened in 1969. It was the golden age of motels and neon along Colfax. The Royal Palace Motel enjoyed a prime location. However, the glimmer of the Royal Palace Motel faded as Colfax Avenue transformed. The motel closed its doors in 2013, becoming a vacant shell. The Royal Palace Motel’s history mirrors the rise and fall of East Colfax. Initially envisioned as twin eight-story helical towers, the motel’s design was eventually scaled down. This reflected the changing economic landscape of the area. The construction of I-70 diverted tourist traffic away from Colfax Avenue, impacting businesses like the Royal Palace Motel. The rise of crime and seediness further contributed to the motel’s decline. The Royal Palace Motel became associated with illicit activities and even a still-unsolved murder in 1998. John Eggers, a guest at the motel, was found shot in his room. The perpetrator remains unknown. Despite its dark history, the Royal Palace Motel retains a peculiar allure. Its exterior, especially the distinctive sign with a crown and disco ball, evokes a sense of nostalgia. Preservationists have sought to salvage the iconic sign, recognizing its value as a piece of Denver history. Jonny Barber, a local historian known as the “Velvet Elvis,” has made efforts to save the sign from demolition. He hopes to find a place for it in a future Colfax Museum. The Royal Palace Motel now stands fenced off, a ghostly reminder of Colfax Avenue’s past. Its story is a reminder of the constant change that shapes urban landscapes.