Thank you for your continuing support of The Ramspondents. It was only three years ago that, faced with a record enrollment of freshmen, Colorado State found itself with more students than living areas. Those 150 students became residents of the University Best Western for that fall semester before moving over to other student housing options as space became available.
Soon, the University Best Western will be no more. Following renovations that begin next month, it will become the Buxton Hotel. Maximus Vogt has all details on renovation plans and how much money it will add to the economy.
The Fort Collins City Council meets tonight, and our own Kaileen Gruber will be covering the meeting via BlueSky. Give us a follow and check in later tonight as Kaileen provides on-the-spot updates of the meeting.
— Jake Sherlock, Editor and Instructor
Goodbye, Best Western; hello, Buxton
By Maximus Vogt
The Ramspondents
Beginning in October, The Best Western University Inn on College Avenue and Elizabeth Street will begin renovations as it is transformed into the boutique Buxton Hotel, breathing new economic life into the area.
Computer rendering of the exterior plans for the new boutique Buxton Hotel, renovated from the Best Western University Inn. Image provided by Tribe Development Corporation.
Closing on the property last October, Tribe Development Company plans a redesign for the space that includes a new bar and restaurant. Founder and CEO of Tribe, Ashley Stiles, said that an independent third-party analysis done on the property anticipates an annual contribution of $3 million added to the Fort Collins community.
“That'll be from everything from increased sales tax, the lodging tax, but also additional work opportunities,” Stilies said.
The Buxton will also create options for boutique stays in Fort Collins that were previously contained to the Armstrong Hotel and Elizabeth Hotel, and extend this option outside of Old Town. Director of Economic Health for the city, SeonAh Kendall, highlights that this choice adds continued economic interest.
Buxton’s flag will remain under Best Western hotels, being added to BW signature Collection, “which will appeal to Best Western clientele who are looking for an authentic, personalized experience with a strong connection to local culture,” Kendall said.
As the flag remains under Best Western, the ownership and operations will transfer to Tribe, Stiles said. This allows current employees to get transferred over with the new ownership, “we were really proud of that,” Stiles said.
Stiles also plans to stay open during renovations. As the rooms in the hotel are spread between two buildings, this allows renovations to be done on 50% of the hotel while the other 50% can stay open for booking. Stiles said this allows employees to keep their jobs during renovations and that disturbances for occupants are kept at a minimum while projects occur in the other building.
Computer rendering shows the outside facade of the planned Buxton hotel from across the College Ave. Image provided by Tribe Development Corporation.
Computer rendering shows the outside facade of the planned Buxton hotel from across College Avenue. Image provided by Tribe Development Corporation.
The project also plans to bridge economic growth with the community. Stiles mentioned that the added bar, restaurant and “resort passes” for admittance into the all-season pool will be open to the Fort Collins community, not just those who stay at the property.
Stiles said that her care for her employees and community is deliberate. Stiles is Cherokee and Chickasaw, thus inspiring the name behind her company, Tribe.
“My heritage is really important to me and really informs the way we approach projects.”
This attention to community was also echoed in equity raising for the project. Stiles said that 95% of the equity for the project was raised from Fort Collins residents, which is a testament to local investment in new projects like Buxton. The hotel also plans to partner with local businesses and support Colorado State University in tailgating football games.
As an alumna, Stiles recognizes that the hotel is crucial to University. She mentioned that the renovation will be scheduled around the busy football season and is slated to be completed on May 12th, in time for the Spring 2026 commencement.
“We want to be a good neighbor," Stiles said.
Because the project only includes interior renovation and minor changes to the exterior without major structural changes, the project is classified as a Minor Amendment. Given that this process started in the summer, it should be approved by October, Stiles said.
“Those typically take 6-12 weeks to go through the whole process,” said Clay Frickly, planning manager for the city.
According to a press release provided by Tribe, Best Western Signature hotels are “an exclusive collection of hotels distinguished by their originality and individual personas.” For the Buxton – getting its name from Stiles grandma, Nina Belle Buxton – the space is inspired by the welcome and warmth Stiles said she felt from her grandparents while she was growing up.
“(Their house) was this place that has really deep roots and meaningful history, and my grandparents were really beloved in that community,” Stiles said. “I wanted to emulate that and have that feeling for our guests when they come here. This might not be their home, but they're incredibly welcome.”