30 years ago – April 12, 1991
“I am very pleased,” commented Richard Goozh, general manager of the Teller House on Tuesday, concerning the 30-year lease of the historic building. Formally announced on April 9, the Central City Opera House Association (CCOHA) Board of Directors voted to approve the lease agreement. Goozh will be retained in his present job, but the terms of his responsibilities are still being finalized. “These new investors will revitalize the Teller House,” he said, “and bring new life into our community.” The investors plan to restore the exterior as well as the interior of the historic hotel which was constructed in 1872. These aren’t the only renovations being made. The Assay Office, west of the Teller House, will be extended to the back of the property. This expansion is expected to replace the present patio eating area, which will be relocated to the second floor. The new patio will be constructed next to the Eureka Room by extending the present smaller patio the full length of the building above the Assay Office. The Little Kingdom Room will continue to be used for dining, Goozh said, for the summer and may possibly change in the winter. The new lease holders are Sam Perry, a native Coloradoan, and one of the original founders of Perry & Butler Real Estate. He is presently engaged in real estate development. Robert Leisen, a resident of Denver, has an extensive background in real estate development and limited wager gambling operations. Perry and Leisen are joined by Robert Leisen, Jr., and Doug Oien. Architectural plans for the Teller House have been presented to the Central City building department and the Historic Preservation Committee, Goozh said. Renovation work is not going to be an easy task, nor one that can be done in a short period of time. Work on the exterior and interior of the building will be done over a three-year period. The famous “Face Bar” will continue to operate, and a casino area is being planned. All expenses of the operation will be paid for by the Perry Group, according to the CCOHA. Rental of the building is $3,000 per month, plus rent based on revenues from the operation. Opera House patrons will have priority use of the Teller House dining facilities during opera season. “The 1872 building has undergone several restorations in its 120-year history,” said Nancy Parker, president of the CCOHA. “This renovation will ultimately return the Teller House to its place as one of the fine old historic hotels of Colorado, to be appreciated and enjoyed by both tourists and opera patrons alike.”
Central City Alderman Stuart Boulter has confirmed that he has accepted an offer for the Golden Rose Inn. The offer was said to be $5 million, though that has not been confirmed. Though nothing is final until the contract closes, and he has the cash on hand, Boulter is looking forward to having more time to devote to city government and pet projects such as Easter Seals. “Everything happens for a reason,” Boulter said, adding that if he sells the Golden Rose, he can avoid the “conflict of interest issue.” Some people have maintained that elected city officials in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek should not be allowed to participate in gaming enterprises. Boulter said that whether or not he sells the hotel, he will continue to live in Central City. As a matter of fact, his exact words were, “You’re stuck with me.”
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