Here are some new infill project photos for Downtown Denver’s Capitol Hilldistrict. Thank you to Nathan for the images!Strada Flats (completed):
Pearl Street Victoriana (completed):
Quality Hill Townes (under construction):
Argonaut Liquors (site prep):
These four images have also been added to the new Capitol Hill page. That’s right, I’ve just upgraded Capitol Hill to the new color format. In addition, I’ve eliminated the portion of Capitol Hill east of Downing. Not only does that allow the Capitol Hill aerial photo to be presented at twice the scale, but there have been very few projects on that side of the district and I want to keep things focused closer to Downtown.
The Pearl St. Victorian is marvelous. Could you imagine if developers continued this style in mixed used manner with street level retail along Colfax Ave., added a street car line, don't forget a line to the Cherry Creek district that possibly drops down south at the York St. intersection. I'm sure I'll get all kinds of response to that idea. When you think about all the red tape involved today with city transformation don't you think visionary developers and architects had it easier a hundred years ago?
I think streetcar lines in Denver are a fabulous idea. Considering the importance of public transportation to infill, I'm surprised the issue hasn't received more attention on this site. Didn't Degette get $ from DC for studying streetcars in Denver? Does anyone know the status of that?
I am absolutely in support of street cars in Denver. I would love to see a line from downtown, up 38th Avenue to Wadsworth. A line along Lowell or Federal connecting the future Arvada/Wheatridge commuter train station to the Golden lightrail line, serving Regis University along the way. Other lines that should be built are along South Broadway/Lincoln, East Colfax, between downtown and Cherry Creek (along 6th or 7th?),a North-South line along Downing or another street), and of course, 16th Street Mall. I am sure there are other routes I am not thinking of.
I love the victoriana.. It's eccentric and fits the capital hill so well. It's a big improvement of the typical facist, modern style going on today, ie the trellis (see above picture). Im underwhelmed by the simplicity of starkness.
I think the Victoriana looks like a pseudo-Victorian is devouring what was a nice Denver four square. The addition should have complemented the four square style, which is not Victorian in any way. Plus, they really cut corners on the detailing and materials they used from what is shown in the original rendering. Thumbs down from me.
I disagree. Victorian has always been more prevalent in cap hill, psuedo or not.. Also Denver Square "craftsman" and Victorian styles definately overlap. Esp in Denver where they were built in the same general era.
The point of course, someone put thought into blending into the hood with a modern take on a style, they obviously did their research to the once existing architecture.
to joeindt: *snap*snap*
The Victoriana: When real Victorian just isn't good enough.
This is the tackiest "renovation" project I've ever seen. It looks like Queen Victoria herself threw up on a Denver Foursquare. Why not try adding ONE or TWO features instead of trying to squeeze all of Cap Hill onto one single building facade? Sheesh.
Ken,
FYI, Strada Flats is at 11th and Grant, not 10th and Grant as depicted on the map.
I love this addition to the neighborhood and enjoy it everytime I drive by. Thumbs up for a modern twist on a neighborhood style. Straightforward and elegant.
I love how being 'anonymous' allows some people to be a little bit more brave, kinda like a frightend dog in cage or a whimpy guy flipping people off from the safety of his car. Some of you or one of you really make posting here unpleasant any more.
Once again, it isn't really the victorian that gets thumbs up (though I do think its ok), its the idea that the area and the neighborhood dictates the style, not vice versa.
And believe me Im not say anyone should like The Victorian. I guess I feel passionate about it because it's so William Lang-esk.
And just to keep the 'peace' here I'll say, I do agree that modern building materials are generally disappointing.
Harmony is when I'm singing a tune and you join in, singing the same tune but maybe in a different key- the two of us together probably sound better than one of us alone.
The Victoriana, on the other hand, is like me singing a tune and you joining in, but singing a different tune, and singing it much louder, so that people hear you and not me.
To me this Victorianized Denver Foursquare looks every bit as ridiculous as seeing the Art Deco Mayan Theater with gingerbread trim and a couple of spindly porches. Just because there are Victorian buildings in the neighborhood doesn't mean that every house needs to be Victorian- and certainly not uber "Victorian" (e.g., chock-a-block with swoopy curves and shingles). You might have a bull standing next to your cows- that doesn't make it a good idea to try to milk the bull.
A historic Foursquare with a large addition, kept simple and using some of the Foursquare's design elements? That's a good project. This thing needs to be shipped off to Disneyland.
I think the Victoriana is amazing. This has a lot of class, style, and elegance, unlike many of the new contemporary projects -that generally are cheap in construction. Cannot wait to see the finished project. I hope the developers take on another project afterwards.