Work continues on the demolition of the old Bank of Denver building on Block 162. Before it was the Bank of Denver, the early-1900s building was known as the Standish Hotel. The first part of the demolition includes peeling away the 1960s modernist façade that was placed on top of the building’s original front.

Here’s a recent photo of the start of the demolition work, with the new Hyatt rising in the background:

Also, for a quick look back at the Bank of Denver/Standish Hotel’s history, here are two images. This first one was submitted by a DenverInfill reader (thanks, John!):

and this second one is from the Denver Public Library’s Western History Collection. It was taken sometime around 1913:

Once this building has been razed, work will begin on the demolition of the old Republic Hotel (also known as Colonial Hotel) building at the corner of 15th and California.

One fear of mine that I know many of you share is when a building is demolished to make way for a new project, only to have the new building never materialize and we get stuck with a vacant lot for decades (see: 1980s). In the case of Block 162, I’m not worried. I’m very comforted knowing that in Evan Makovsky we’ve got a local developer with an outstanding reputation, significant resources, and the full support of just about everyone in the city. It is a shame when historic buildings like the Standish Hotel and the Republic Hotel are demolished, but with Block 162’s troubled and neglected past and with its bright future under new owner Mr. Makovsky, I’m OK with the demolition. This is going to be a good deal for Downtown Denver.