Denver’s historic Potter Highlands

Preserving History: A Denver Landmark Transformed

For five decades, six days a week, Bud Vecchiarelli made the journey from his home to his corner gas station and garage in the Potter Highlands Historic District in northwest Denver. Bud’s Zuni Service, with its iconic red trim and lion logo, stood as a testament to an earlier era even as the neighborhood around it evolved into one of Denver’s most popular areas.

Originally a Standard gas station, Vecchiarelli converted the property into an auto repair shop when he purchased it in the early 1970s. Beyond the hard work of running the shop, Bud found joy in the social gatherings that followed closing time. Friends and customers would gather, cards would come out, and friendly wagers were placed.

As an Italian-American married to Bridgette, who shared his heritage of Italian and Irish roots, the Vecchiarelli family was deeply woven into the fabric of the neighborhood. However, with no children interested in taking over the business and health concerns mounting, the couple made the difficult decision to sell in 2021.

Enter Celeste Ballerino, a real estate agent turned developer, who saw potential in the property. Drawing on her Italian-American upbringing and eye for design, Ballerino envisioned a modern duplex that would seamlessly blend into the historic neighborhood while offering contemporary appeal.

After overcoming challenges such as environmental remediation, design approvals, and supply chain disruptions, Ballerino’s vision came to life. The result is a stunning duplex that pays homage to the area’s architectural heritage while offering modern amenities and design elements.

Each home boasts 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, a private backyard, and a detached two-car garage, all within a completely brick exterior – a rarity in new Denver homes. Despite the hurdles and market shifts, Ballerino remains proud of the project, seeing it as a positive addition to the changing neighborhood.

The transformation of Bud’s Zuni Service into a modern duplex is not just a story of real estate development, but a reflection of the evolving history and demographics of the Potter Highlands neighborhood. As new residents move in and old memories linger, the homes that stand witness to it all continue to hold the stories of the past.