New Design Guidelines
Kick In October 1

Denver homeowners, architects and contractors working to update a designated landmark or historic district property can look forward to a smoother design review process thanks to the adoption on August 5 of updated design guidelines by the city's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC). 

The new guidelines offer a "how-to" approach for property owners and design professionals with easy-to-follow charts and graphs as well as new and better guidance on modern energy-efficiency improvements, additions, new construction, and signs, among other topics. View the new guidelines here.

Denver currently has 331 designated historic landmarks and more than 6,000 buildings located in designated historic districts. The LPC and city staff use the design guidelines to evaluate building projects that affect the exterior of these properties to ensure that proposed projects preserve the significance of the city's historic and architectural treasures. The new guidelines are the result of an extensive public process that began last fall and included input from more than 200 historic property owners, design professionals, neighborhood groups and other stakeholders.

 
Construction projects affecting the exterior of these properties that are submitted for design review on or after October 1 will be subject to the new guidelines. 

For more on landmark preservation in Denver including the design review process, visit DenverGov.org/landmark.

My Favorite Place in Denver

Larimer Square posted by dujar on Instagram

What's your favorite place in Denver?

And more importantly, why?

Through the end of September, Community Planning and Development is asking everyone in Denver to answer the question on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, using the hashtag #favoriteplacedenver.

View this video and join the citywide conversation about placemaking and city-building. Let's learn from one another how we can make our beloved city even better!

Start now! Post a photo or video on social media, and don't forget to hashtag it #favoriteplacedenver.

Learn more and see what others are saying at DenverGov.org/favoriteplacedenver.

Union Station in the early 1930s, and as it looks today. (1930s photo courtesy Denver Public Library.)

By now everyone knows that Denver Union Station reopened on July 26, bringing the historic structure back to life with local shops and restaurants, a boutique luxury hotel and expansive train and bus depot. 

What you may not know is that the all-volunteer Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) and the city's Landmark Preservation planners worked hand-in-hand with the project team to ensure that the building retained its historic integrity. 

Over the course of a year, LPC and planners reviewed every exterior change against the city's historic design guidelines. Staff and commissioners lent their expertise to changes including windows-to-doors, new dormers, energy-efficient storm windows, and exterior signs and seating areas, as well as the designs of the plaza and the new buildings flanking the station. They helped determine which materials to save and which to replace, what replacement materials to use, and even oversaw the cleaning of old stone and terra cotta. All reviews were done to ensure that the historic building would take center stage.

"Union Station is a beautiful example of the city's preservation program at work," said Brad Buchanan, executive director of Community Planning and Development. "By preserving key features while allowing for modern updates, we allow our landmarks to live on and continue to tell the story of our city." 

In the coming months, watch for interpretive signs and historic photos in and around the station featuring the building, the railroad and the people who used them. Many of the displays are composed of historic materials salvaged from old tunnels and other parts of the station.

Denver's Next Historic Landmark?

227 S. Lincoln St.

Denver City Council will hold a public hearing at its September 15 meeting to consider an ordinance making the house at 227 S. Lincoln St. a landmark.

The private residence, built in 1890, is a Queen Anne -- a style of architecture that was dominant toward the end of Denver's peak growth period. The building's eclectic blend of Queen Anne characteristics includes an asymmetrical façade, steeply-pitched roof, side gable, broad shingled surfaces, and decorated porches with turrets and towers.

The house stands among nine other Queen Anne homes on South Lincoln and is one of eight designed by prominent Denver architect William Lang. Of the 250 buildings that Lang designed in Denver, the most well-known are the Molly Brown House and Castle Marne Mansion. The house has the quintessential hallmarks of a Lang design, including the large front turret that resembles a witch's hat.

To provide comments to Denver City Council as it considers this building for historic designation, please contact landmark@denvergov.org.

LoDo Sign Guidelines Update 

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