This past Friday, February 1, veteran developer Evan Makovsky closed on the purchase of the historic McClintock Building on Downtown Denver’s Block 162.

Makovsky achieved “urban hero” status last summer with his successful acquisition of the Steel’s Building, home of the long-vacant Fontius shoe store, as well as several other parcels on the block including the old Bank of Denver and Republic Hotel buildings and a couple of surface parking lots. The only property Makovsky did not acquire on Block 162 in 2007 was the historic McClintock building at the corner of 16th and California. With Friday’s closing, Makovsky now owns all of Block 162.

The McClintock Building is a member of the Downtown Denver Historic District. Here are a few photos:

Unlike the long-blighted Steel’s Building, which is also a member of the Downtown Denver Historic District and currently undergoing a complete restoration, the McClintock is in relatively good shape. Consequently, don’t expect to see any immediate changes to the McClintock. Makovsky’s acquisition of the McClintock was a strategic move. It not only allows him to protect his investment in the rest of Block 162, but it also allows him to plan the block’s future in a comprehensive manner and potentially incorporate (physically and/or programmatically) the McClintock Building in with the new mixed-use project Makovsky is planning to construct on the now-vacant portions of the block.

For the first time in… well, probably ever, Block 162 is under the control of a single entity. That is good news for Downtown Denver and its ongoing revitalization.