Could this be Denver's next landmark?

Could this U-Park home be Denver's next landmark?

City Council to vote March 19 on designation

The Landmark Preservation Commission recently recommended to City Council that it designate 2145 S. Adams St., dubbed “Ormleigh” by the original owners, as a historic landmark.

The 1899 University Park home, an early and large example of the "Denver Square," once belonged to William Seward Iliff and Alberta Bloom Iliff. William was the son of Denver pioneer John Wesley Iliff and an influential supporter of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology.

The application, which is supported by the property owner, is scheduled to have a public hearing at City Council on March 19. Read the application and supporting materials on our website .

City's landmark preservation ordinance to be reviewed, updated

Starting this month, a task force will begin work on a review and potential update of the city's landmark preservation ordinance. The task force will consider ways the preservation process could become more collaborative and address conflicts that sometimes emerge from designations opposed by property owners. Their work will focus on balancing property rights with community interest in the preservation of Denver's history, architecture and neighborhood character.

Learn more

Denver Academy Chapel Library lives on

On Friday, March 2, Denver Academy celebrated the reopening of its historic chapel library at 4400 E. Iliff Ave. The chapel and gateway, built in 1926 and one of the only city landmarks in southeast Denver, was recently restored. The work included repair and rehabilitation of the original 16 stained-glass windows, copper cupola and front entrance door.

Learn more about the history of Denver Academy here .

The Denver Academy Chapel Library after restoration by Hoehn Architects.

Craftspeople with Heritage Window Restoration install a restored window sash.

Larimer Square says big changes are ahead

The owner of Larimer Square has announced plans to build two large-scale additions to buildings on the block. To do so, the owner must apply to change the height limits in the ordinance that designated Larimer Square as the city’s first historic district. Any change to the 64-foot height limit for the historic district must be approved first by the Landmark Preservation Commission, then by the Denver Planning Board and finally by Denver City Council. Each step would involve a public hearing.

If the height limits in the ordinance are changed, the mass, scale and design of any proposed buildings in the district — as well as any resulting demolition — must be approved by the Landmark Preservation Commission, also as part of a public hearing.

The Landmark Preservation Commission has not yet received an application for this project. Read more in the Denver Post .

Discover Denver wraps in City Park;

now surveying in Capitol Hill, west Cheesman

Discover Denver — a joint project between the City and County of Denver and Historic Denver, Inc. to survey every building citywide — has completed survey work in the City Park West neighborhood and has begun documenting the buildings of the Capitol Hill and west Cheesman Park neighborhoods.

Focused on identifying buildings throughout the city that are historically, architecturally or culturally significant, the project documents the features of each building and researches the history of selected buildings in each neighborhood.

Discoveries in the City Park West neighborhood include the home of early circus performers Adrian and Harriet Searles, and the vicarage of the Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church. The vicarage served as the home of Rev. Harry Rahming, the first recipient of the Master of Theology degree from the Iliff School of Theology. Survey work in the Capitol Hill and west Cheesman area is expected to wrap up in mid-May.

Volunteers play a significant role in Discover Denver, helping to document buildings, research building histories, and collect stories from members of the community.

The home of circus performers Adrian & Harriet Searle

The Gardenia apartments on Washington in Capitol Hill

Trainings for new volunteers are ongoing, and no prior experience is necessary to volunteer with the project. To learn more about Discover Denver and how you can get involved, visit the project website at DiscoverDenver.CO .

State historic tax credits really add up

Since 2011, the city's Landmark Preservation Commission has certified nearly $2 million in state tax credits for 122 historic properties in Denver. The tax credit is just one of many benefits of owning a historic property. Learn more and apply for tax credits at our website .

Legislation aimed at renewing the state of Colorado's historic preservation tax credit (HB18-1190) recently passed the House Finance Committee and is moving on to review by the House Appropriations Committee. Learn more about the Colorado Job Creation and Main Street Revitalization Act here .

About Landmark Preservation

Landmark preservation is an important function of Denver Community Planning and Development. Denver City Council enacted the Denver Landmark Ordinance in 1967 to foster the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of structures and districts of historical, architectural and/or geographic significance.

Staff in our Landmark Preservation office and two landmark boards carry out that mission through design review, historic surveys and landmark designations. Staff also assists owners of historic properties by providing guidance and resources for preserving, maintaining and rehabilitating historic buildings and properties. You can learn more about Denver's preservation efforts at Denvergov.org/landmark . Follow us on Twitter at @DenverCPD .

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