Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, is a historic district nestled in the Front Range foothills and known for its historic red-brick architecture, lively streets, and a thriving local business culture. As the district has evolved through decades of revitalization, new development has focused on creating walkable streetscapes and experiences that strengthen the community's vibrant public life. One such space is The Exchange - an urban commercial district and gathering space tucked within a single block on a once-underutilized parking lot.

Filling A Niche
The Exchange was designed as part of an urban renovation of a 1.75-acre block with two mixed-use buildings at the north and south ends, separated by a parking lot. Early concepts for the site considered higher-density multifamily development. But through careful analysis and master planning, RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture (formerly Russell + Mills Studio) worked with the developer, Brinkman Construction, to derive a different opportunity for the asphalt.

Commercial tenants in the adjacent buildings already had entrances facing the lot; some had even set up modest patio areas. With ample parking along the surrounding streets and a walkable alley corridor to the east, the design team saw an opportunity to create a space that would enhance community life and create economic opportunity for local businesses. Now, a pedestrian walking past the rows of historic facades and streetscaping might not immediately notice its entrance, but upon stepping inside the block, the atmosphere shifts dramatically to a lively courtyard and common consumption area framed by shipping container storefronts stacked two stories high. There, the public can enjoy local food and beer, retail, entertainment, and other mixed-use attractions operating out of the repurposed containers.

 
Balancing Preservation with Activation
The city of Fort Collins began as a military outpost in the 1880s, with an economy later shaped by agriculture and livestock exchange as well as a cultural identity influenced by its history, Colorado State University, and the Front Range foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Cycling and outdoor recreation are prominent, and the city is home to more than 20 breweries. Local revitalization efforts starting in the 1980s have transformed the Downtown and Old Town districts, welcoming an influx of public and private developments.

Designing the Exchange presented a twofold challenge: balancing historic preservation with contemporary commercial activation and fitting this vision within the tight urban infill site. While the total renovation area - including the two existing buildings - spanned approximately 1.75 acres, the site of the Exchange offered approximately 20,000 square feet. During the master planning phase, RVi presented multiple alternatives to configure the site in a way that preserved a central courtyard without limiting the potential commercial and retail space. Shipping containers offered a durable, cost-effective, and space-efficient solution.

The containers served as the building blocks to activate the edges of the plaza while protecting the central green as the social heart of the development. Stacked two units high, a total of twelve containers were delivered and retrofitted for occupancy. In addition to serving as an incubator for local food and beverage vendors, the structures provide retail and office space with large windows overlooking the courtyard. Aesthetically, they serve as a subtle modern contrast to the historic Old Town, with a rustic industrial exterior fitting for the community's ongoing revitalization.

The key was delivering a space that fit the community's needs and remained authentic to the local context, providing contrast without conflict. Outside of the Exchange, the Landscape Architects had led renovations for the adjacent alleyway as well as streetscaping and other downtown development efforts throughout Fort Collins. This added continuity to the overall design language. The existing buildings on the site were preserved with historic fa??ade renovations led by architects at alm2s.

In a city with an active cycling and outdoor recreation community, the Exchange offers a diverse blend of mixed-use activities and gathering space in relatively close proximity to local trails and mere minutes from Colorado State University. Bicycle racks and repair stations provide a service to cyclists passing through, and invite them to spend time in a unique, modern gathering space tucked away behind the shipping containers. The open layout of the courtyard also allows the space to adapt organically to different uses.

Flexible By Design
The Exchange offers a space that is decidedly flexible, designed to give visitors the power of choice. As the city's first common consumption area, visitors are presented with multiple food and beer vendors that can be enjoyed in patio and seating areas throughout the courtyard. Churn, a Colorado-based ice cream vendor, holds a prominent place on the site, with its building constructed to resemble an old-fashioned ice cream churn bucket. In the summertime, it's not uncommon for patrons to line up around the block for a cold dessert.

Movable lawn chairs, tables, picnic tables, and other furniture invite groups of any size to set up their own gathering space, with retractable umbrellas and fixed tents providing shade in the summer heat. Concrete benches installed around a gas fireplace offer a cozy seating area for year-round enjoyment, while a two-tiered bench structure doubles as a climbing area for children to play. Among the current tenants is an indoor putting golf bar with a patio that flows into the central area, offering outdoor ping pong and a putting hole.

At the center, artificial turf was installed as a low-maintenance central green that holds up throughout the seasons. This is especially important in the semi-arid Front Range climate. Paved concrete plazas and walkways surround the green, enhancing accessibility and circulation on even the busiest days. Hardy, climate-resilient plantings line the outer edges of the concrete.

A Hub of Activity
On any given afternoon, families gather around the turf while children move between play elements and seating areas. In the evenings, groups linger around the fireplace or settle into lawn chairs with food and drinks as the courtyard transitions into a lively social setting. Overhead string lighting and the glow of the container storefronts extend activity well into the evening hours, giving the space an inviting atmosphere after sunset. Intentionally designed with minimal fixed programming, The Exchange encourages visitors to create their own experience. Meanwhile, the flexible layout and inconspicuous site allow the space to evolve naturally within the fabric of Old Town Fort Collins.

As seen in LASN magazine, July 2026.