Denver's Dry Ice Factory

This building is a staple in the River North Arts District and was constructed in 1929 for the Liquid Carbonic Corporation. This was the company’s location for producing dry ice and CO2. Currently artists have renovated it for use and the building has art studios and two galleries.

The Liquid Carbonic Corporation aka The Liquid was based out of Chicago. They were the largest manufacturer in the soda industry with plants all over the United States, Canada, Cuba, and South America. The company constructed this building in 1929, to be their dry ice and CO2 plant. Dry Ice was distributed from here for railcar refrigeration as well as commercial and household ice boxes. CO2 was also bottled and went to local and regional soda fountains. The factory also had a 2nd floor showroom where potential clients could come see examples of fountains, syrup dispensers, and other things sold by the company.

In 1965, the building changed hands and became the Jemm Company, a machine manufacturing company that specialized in electric plating. In 2002 the company went out of business and the building stood vacant until 2007. The Vidette LLC purchased the old factory building with a dramatic renovation plan.

The Dry Ice Factory was renovated over two years using 45 tons of recycled steel. Two smoke stacks painted with the words “The Dry Ice Factory” were maintained on the building as a nod to the original purpose of the building. The interior features 32 art studios and gallery space. The studios have an open door policy during first Fridays when visitors can tour artist studios and enjoy rotating exhibits. 

1. Lyons, Maggie. Doors Open Denver Preview: Dry Ice Factory, Denver Urbanism. March 22nd 2015. Accessed July 18th 2020. https://denverurbanism.com/2015/03/doors-open-denver-preview-dry-ice-factory.html.