CENTRAL CITY — The old Williams’ Stables has already lived a few lives.

It housed horses and carriages. It welcomed opera crowds. It was cleared out for square dances. It gave young artists a place to rehearse, gather, and get ready for the stage.

It has also been part of Central City’s haunted history. I have been inside the Stables for Gilpin Historical Society haunted history tour performances, where old murder stories and ghost tales were acted out in the very building where so much local history has transpired.

Now the 1876 building next to the Central City Opera House is beginning a new chapter. Central City Opera has launched a multi-phase renovation of the historic stables on Eureka Street. 

Work this summer will start with structural repairs and stabilization. The long-term plan is to turn the building into a 100-seat black box theater and year-round cultural venue.

The first step is urgent. Water has been getting into the building, and the north wall has deteriorated. Central City Opera described this summer’s work as “not just a renovation — it’s a rescue.”

Construction drawings are complete. Early funding has been secured through grants from the History Colorado State Historical Fund, Gates Family Foundation, the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund, and a gift from the Honnen Family.

“The Williams’ Stables has been at the heart of this community since 1876,” said Scott Finlay, president and CEO of Central City Opera. “With this project, we’re not only restoring the past, we’re activating the future.”

The building was originally built to house the horses and carriages of guests visiting the Teller House Hotel and the Opera House. 

Later, the Stables became a place for people to gather in a different way. On performance nights, the space was cleared out for square dances. Long before anyone called it a community hub, it was already in action.

Central City Opera acquired the building in 1953. Since then, it has been used as rehearsal space, a performance venue, and a home base for the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Training Artists program.

Once renovated, the Stables will have flexible seating, a bar, a lighting booth, and dressing rooms. The plan is to keep the building’s historic feel while making it more accessible and better suited for modern performances.

Central City Opera hopes the new space will host opera, theater, live music, talks, and new works, not just during the summer festival, but throughout the year.

“Our aim is to elevate the Festival and enhance our ability to bring art and community together throughout the year,” said Anne McGonagle, president of CCO Properties. “These renovations will expand our offerings, all while preserving the building’s historic character and ensuring accessibility for every visitor.”

During the renovation work this summer, Opera Notes, the free pre-show talks with each production’s creative team, will be held inside the Opera House one hour before each main stage performance. 

Short Works performances will move to St. James Church, three doors west of the Stables and across the street from the Opera House.

The summer work is only the first phase. Interior renovations will come later. For now, the focus is on saving the building so it can keep serving Central City for another generation.

Patrons with questions about event locations can contact the Central City Opera box office at 303-292-6700 or boxoffice@centralcityopera.org.