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Mid-Mod is Having a Moment
Two initiatives in Virginia Village put the focus on
Mid-century modern architecture
Discover Denver to Survey Buildings in
Virginia Village

What makes buildings in Virginia Village special?

Discover Denver, a project to identify historic and architecturally significant structures citywide, is beginning its work in Virginia Village. 

The citywide survey of all of Denver’s buildings gathers information using public records, neighborhood canvassing, academic research, and tips from the public. Findings from this first-ever survey of Denver will be made available online so that everyone from property owners to history buffs to real estate agents can learn about our city’s past — building by building.
virginia village
Virginia Village is located in southeast Denver

Historic Denver, Inc. and the City and County of Denver lead this project, funded mainly by a grant from History Colorado. 

Denver joins other major cities, including Los Angeles and Phoenix, that are conducting building surveys. Survey benefits include:

  • Uncovering buildings of historic and architectural significance
  • Providing property owners up-front information about buildings to inform reinvestment and sale decisions
  • Equipping city planners with information about historic resources when creating neighborhood plans
  • Bolstering civic pride

Residents and business owners in the survey area will experience minimal -- if any -- impact from volunteer surveyors. Survey workers observe a property from the public street or sidewalk, taking notes on its physical integrity (whether or not the building retains its historic features). Volunteers will have project-specific identification and should identify themselves if asked. No one associated with Discover Denver will enter or access private property without permission.

Community input is key to the success of the project. Tell us your Virginia Village stories and learn more about the project at www.DiscoverDenver.CO.
Virginia Village Discovery Day: October 8
Come learn about the Discover Denver citywide building survey, and help us discover the undiscovered gems in Virginia Village!

We invite you to bring historical information -- old photographs, newspaper clippings and mementos of Virginia Village (or other parts of Denver) to share with the Discover Denver project. We’ll have project volunteers on site to capture your stories, and scan documents.

The information you provide can help the Discover Denver project communicate what makes Virginia Village special. Stop by and socialize with Virginia Village neighbors! 

Virginia Village Discovery Day
Saturday, October 8
1 - 4 p.m.
Virginia Village Branch Library
1500 South Dahlia Street
Refreshments will be provided
Denver Planning Board Recommends Approval for Krisana Park Conservation Zoning
krisana park pattern book cover
On September 21, the Denver Planning Board recommended approval of new conservation zoning for Krisana Park, part of the Virginia Village neighborhood in southeast Denver. Krisana Park residents attended and spoke in favor of the overlay. Denver City Council Member Paul Kashmann, who proposed the zoning change this summer, also spoke at the hearing.

The proposal will now move on to City Council for consideration.

The new conservation overlay zone district will conserve the Eichler style of these California contemporary homes built by H.B. Wolff in the 1950s.  The new zoning regulations would preserve house placement on lots; low-pitched rooflines; low-profile, single-story or split-level building heights; and additions compatible in scale and proportion to the original buildings.

The proposal does not make the area a historic district, which would involve more restrictive regulations for design and demolition.

For more on Krisana Park, c heck out Historic Denver's Krisana Park pattern book, or l isten to coverage of the overlay on Colorado Public Radio. 
About Landmark Preservation
landmark marker
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.