The current Philip S. Miller Library on Wilcox Street in downtown Castle Rock was once a grocery store. This 45,000 sf project entailed demolishing a part of the existing store, adaptive reuse, and a 5,000 sf addition. The library includes a children’s department, teen tower, adult collection, and study nooks and meeting rooms.
Castle Rock, 30 miles south of Denver is known for its safe, friendly, small town feeling. This reputation has contributed to its growth and demand for community centers. The library is the southern anchor of the central business district; its location encouraging pedestrian access and connection to downtown, convenient parking, and the potential for expanding library services via additional storefronts.
The library faces west offering views of the surrounding mesas and rolling hills. A generous front courtyard grounds the building and offers pedestrians an opportunity to sit and read outdoors. Large storefront windows in the children’s reading areas along the west recall the retail history of the building and invite patrons into the building.
The teen tower located on the northeast corner of the building acts as a beacon for the library. This architectural gesture frames the north façade and offers views of the surrounding landscape.
The Philip S. Miller Library is a leading community center for the expanding city of Castle Rock.