Preserving History: The Remarkable Stapleton Building in Billings

When it was built in 1904, the Stapleton Building located on North 27th (North Broadway) and 1st Avenue in Downtown Billings stood tall and proud as the largest and tallest structure in the city.

The building originally housed Hart Albin’s Department Store, offices, and a men's overnight club and represented an era of opulence and success. However, by the late 1990s, the once-majestic building had fallen into disrepair, with leaky roofs, utilities disconnected to upper floors, and vacant spaces left behind as tenants moved out.

Recognizing the significance of this historic landmark, a plan was set in motion in 2004 to breathe new life into the Stapleton Building. The vision was to transform the structure into a vibrant hub of activity, blending commercial, office, and residential spaces. Today, the Stapleton Building has undergone a remarkable revitalization, becoming a multi-functional space that serves the needs of the community.

One of the most striking changes during the building's renovation was the restoration of its façade. Careful attention was paid to preserving the building’s original character, including stripping away layers of paint to reveal the brickwork’s true color and charm.

The commercial storefronts from the 1950s were replaced with modern aluminum facades that paid homage to the building’s early 1900s design. New windows and an ornamental metal cornice added the finishing touches to the façade, bringing new life to the Stapleton Building.

Today, the Stapleton Building stands as a tribute to the long-standing commitment of the Billings community to preserve history and adapt structures for modern use.

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With a parking garage in the basement, retail stores and restaurants on the ground floor, offices on the second level, and condominium apartments on the upper floors, the historic Stapleton Building has been transformed into a thriving mixed-use space.