First look at Sage Hospitality's Catbird project in Denver

Sage Hospitality Group is set to open its newest independent hotel, Catbird, in Denver’s River North Art District, the first of a new extended-stay brand concept. 
 
Catbird blurs the lines between an extended-stay hotel and a house through the use of adaptable spaces. The property’s 165 guestrooms have a patent-pending design with lofted beds and custom-built multi-functional furniture. High-tech entertainment amenities include 4K Ultra HD Projectors that project onto custom screens that drop down in front of the exterior windows. The rooms have full kitchens with housewares like the Always Pan from Our Place and cooking essentials like individually packaged, pre-measured spices from Occo. Each guest floor has complimentary laundry services as well as a water filling station that dispenses still and sparkling water.
 
Paying homage to the history of the neighborhood around it, Catbird takes up a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom historic home, originally built in 1890, which has been preserved as part of the hotel. The home has been updated into a space for guests or events. 
 
The Catbird Playroom is a gear locker stocked with bikes, skateboards, scooters, cameras and other items that are available for guests to borrow and use. Amenities also include package delivery lockers and a guest storage area where repeat guests can leave often-used items. The property also has a dedicated dog run. The fitness center has Peloton bikes, treadmills, water rowing machines, cross trainers and free weights.
 
The Red Barber rooftop bar looks out over the city and mountains. The bar has adaptable spaces including an event deck, amphitheater for live music and entertainment, a lawn with life-sized yard games and hot tubs. 
 
Each of Sage Hospitality Group’s four companies—Sage Studio, Sage Hotel Management, Sage Restaurant Concepts and Sage Investments—has played a key role in developing the property and will continue to do so as it moves into day-to-day operations. The company intends to expand the Catbird concept into other key markets in the future. As the property moves into regular operations, the Sage Studio team will stay closely involved to maintain the integrity of the brands and the guest experience, continuing to leverage the property’s unique identity to guide its decision making.

Throughout the project, the Sage Studio team worked with a number of partners. Interior design for public spaces and The Red Barber was led by Swan Dive Design Studio, and guestroom design was executed by DLR Group. Architecture for the entire project was overseen by Denver-based Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects. The art collection on property was curated by long-time Sage partner Nine dot Arts. The brand naming, messaging and visual identity along with the public space concept designs for Catbird was developed by Portland-based OMFGCO in collaboration with Kate Davis Brand Consulting. Initial brand concepting and messaging platform for The Red Barber was developed by Sage Restaurant Concepts in conjunction with Sage Studio, with visual identity and graphic design elements created by Denver-based Wunder Werkz.

“To us, brands that matter are so much more than a logo and a color palette. The brand should be the foundation upon which an entire project is built; the map from which every creative decision should take its direction,” said EVP of Sage Studio Jessica Werner. “With this project, the brand identity is rooted in opposing forces and celebrates the truly independent character of the RiNo Art District. Those elements come through in everything from the interior design, staff uniforms and art collection to the menus, in-room amenities and visual identities, and even to the brand name itself. Every element and every moment are intentional.”

Photo credit: Sage Hospitality