Historic Frank Bader House welcomes new mental health practice

The historic Frank Bader House in Niwot has found new life as the home of Dignity Counseling and Wellness, a mental health therapy practice with plans to open its doors this summer in the meticulously restored landmark building at 210 Franklin Street.

The practice, co-owned by therapists Katie Klumb and Alex Mezyad, began as a counseling practice that the duo envisions growing into a more comprehensive holistic wellness center over time. Both therapists bring approximately 10 years of separate private practice experience to their new venture, which they launched in October of last year. After months of searching for the perfect location, they found their ideal home in the historically significant Frank Bader House.

"We are really excited to be in Niwot and get connected with the community and get started," said Klumb. "It's a very sweet little town." While they're starting with what they know best-therapy and counseling services-their long-term vision includes expanding to incorporate other wellness modalities as they establish themselves in the community.

The practice is currently in the build-out phase and hasn't officially moved into the space yet. The team hopes to complete their move-in by June and open their doors to clients possibly in July

Their arrival marks the culmination of an extensive restoration project undertaken by Nassar Development, which spent considerable time and resources bringing the historic structure back to its former glory.

The renovation of the Frank Bader House adhered to strict historic preservation standards, with the Nassars going to extraordinary lengths to honor the building's heritage. Perhaps most notably, they sourced reclaimed wood from a Pennsylvania barn to maintain the structure's authentic character while ensuring modern functionality.

"They finally got it over the finish line and renovated the Bader House to historic preservation standards and made it absolutely beautiful," said Annie Larner of Market Real Estate. "They did everything they could to treat the house the way it deserved and find a good stable tenant for that corner."

The property attracted interest from various potential tenants, including a bakery and restaurant, but the Nassars were selective in their choice. Rising construction and permitting costs made it challenging to find groups that were both financially viable and aligned with the community's needs.

"We had a lot of groups looking, but we were trying to find something that would service the community," explained Larner. "The cost of building and permitting are so high that it is hard to find groups that are a perfect fit for that."

Dignity Counseling and Wellness proved to be exactly what the Nassars were seeking. The mental health practice not only met the practical requirements but also aligned with the community-focused vision for the space.

The new practice has already expressed strong intentions to become deeply integrated with the Niwot community and will serve as a resource for local residents, offering mental health services in a setting that honors the area's rich history. "Their intention is to be super involved with the community and a resource, so I think Niwot will like having them," Larner noted.

The successful placement of Dignity Counseling and Wellness in the Frank Bader House represents just the beginning of the Nassars' development plans for the area. The family intends to continue building out a mixed-use development to the north of the historic house, which will constitute the next phase of their community-oriented project.

The property has been vacant since a fire closed the popular Colterra Restaurant in the fall of 2017, in a since demolished building north of the historic home.

The opening of Dignity Counseling and Wellness in the restored Frank Bader House represents a perfect marriage of historic preservation and modern community service, ensuring that this Niwot landmark will continue to serve residents for generations to come.