Schoolyard Beer Garden, Transformed by the Encore Electric Team
March 17, 2026 – Denver, CO —Located in the Golden Triangle neighborhood in Denver, the Schoolyard Beer Garden and Café have become a popular, family-friendly destination for the community. Encore Electric partnered with Hyder Construction to transform the historic Evans School building into a new, lively beer garden. The historic renovation was completed in three phases with Encore Electric performing all the electrical work for the project.
“The Schoolyard Beer Garden project scope included a beer garden, cafe, owner office suite, and event space, all executed under the oversight of the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission,” said Encore Electric Project Manager Josh Gilmore. “Beyond the technical installation, the project provided a retrospective on the electrical trade; demolition exposed a history of electrical evolution, ranging from knob-and-tube wiring to early fused panels.”
“Built in 1904, the school was designed by architect David W. Dryden in the Renaissance Revival style, featuring ornate brickwork, grand arched windows, and distinctive detailing that set it apart as a centerpiece of Denver’s public education system,” states The Historic Evans School. “For decades, the Evans School served generations of Denver students, adapting to the evolving needs of the community through the first half of the 20th century. However, by the 1970s, changing demographics and evolving educational needs led to the school’s closure.”
For the majority of the time it was open, the Evans School provided specialized education for children who were deaf, blind, or living with physical disabilities. When the school closed in the 1970s, it remained largely vacant until the Schoolyard Beer Garden renovation.
Because of this history, Evans School has historical landmark status in Denver, which required the project team to follow the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission process and strict guidelines during the renovation. A challenge the Schoolyard Beer Garden project team encountered was upgrading the outdated electrical systems while preserving the historical integrity of the building.
“The challenges we faced proved to be every bit of what we thought it would be and more,” said Hyder Construction Superintendent Enoch Martinez. “Encore proved to be a leader through each phase, navigating with professionalism through many of the 120-year-old structure’s tests that led to the two regional engineering and architectural awards.”
With over 5,000 square feet of outdoor space and Oktoberfest-style picnic tables, the Schoolyard Beer Garden can host wedding receptions, corporate events, award ceremonies, and other community-centered activities. Part of the renovation included transforming the former school’s auditorium on the second floor into a 4,000 square foot ballroom.
“The sloped auditorium seating was removed, so the venue is able to accommodate up to 180 guests for a seated dinner, 200 people for a presentation or 400 attendees for a standing reception,” stated a 9News article.
In addition to the auditorium, the new renovation features a full kitchen. On the beer garden side, guests can enjoy burgers, brats, sandwiches, salads, snacks, and kid entrees. At the Schoolyard Café, there is a deli-style menu, coffee, cocktails, and homemade ice cream.
The Schoolyard Beer Garden and Café was recognized as the 2025 Mountain States Best Small Project by Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mountain States. Learn more about the award-winning projects Encore Electric has completed here.