Boulderspace

The old 4th Street laundry mat was a true west end landmark. For those of us who used it in it’s heyday, it’s memory serves as a reminder for just how long we’ve been here. I can remember regularly squeezing in loads there, probably 8 or so years ago now, when Boulder’s other laundry mats were either two busy with like-minded procrastinators, or simply didn’t have the same charm or allure to make me drive across town. It was truly a funky little place. At probably no more than 600 sq. ft., the space somehow housed the expected washers with paired wall dryers, a teeny, closet-sized bathroom, the obligatory change machines, and areas for sitting and folding. Its charm lived in the hand-painted lettering of the signage out-front, the community board where the usual Boulder services and then some not so usual were displayed, the odd assortment of tattered and well-perused magazines, notes from neighbors, the classic nut and candy dispensers, random patchwork/folk art on the walls, some aging stained glass pieces dotting the front windows, the ancient pothos plant meandering around the ceiling, and so on throughout every cranny of the space. It was the kind of place where you always met someone interesting if you were up for talking, and where you could sometimes find your dry load folded and placed in your basket if you were late getting back.

The laundry mat was closed in the spring to begin development on a new residential project, spearheaded by custom builders, Rosenberg and Son LLC. Projected to be fully completed by spring of 2008, the development comprises 3 newly constructed lofts, boasting open floor plans, high ceilings, hardwood floors, full-amenity kitchens, proximity to the creek and surrounding trails, with the upper units including west facing balconies with views of red rocks to the northwest and Flagstaff Mountain to the southwest.

The design has integrated the original laundry mat’s single story base structure, covering it in a stucco finish, and allowing it serve as the lower level unit’s living room, dining room and kitchen. Behind this starkly contrasted, protruding front, sits the rest of that lower unit and the two others stacked above it. New red brick defines the look and feel of this main structure; with exposed flat walls and flat roof. Overall the design feels predominantly boxy. It is simple, understated, and to some I presume, rather bland and lifeless.

At first flush, among other points of critique, it seems as though something more creative could have been done with both roofs. Introducing a roof-top garden, or employing pv panels could have been cool; even a basic sitting area might have been nice.

While it’s clear that these new loft units offer up more luxury housing in a desirable part of town ( with a surprisingly small footprint ) it is unclear and certainly debatable how successful they are in terms of infill, aesthetic integration, and sustainability. Only time will tell in terms of community opinion being favorable or not. In the meantime, I’m glad I have since acquired a washer and dryer so I can get my whites done, even if it means I’m by myself with no chance of a good conversation with my neighbor.