Denver Solidifies Art Culture with Opening of Clyfford Still Museum
November 19th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Denver’s standing among the arts and architecture community has steadily risen in recent years with the addition of the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Wing, the Museum of Contemporary Art and now the official opening of the new Clyfford Still Museum.
The Clyfford Still Museum was built to house Still’s collection of nearly every work he produced. He was a pioneer in the early 20th Century’s Abstract Expressionism movement, and held on to most of his works until his death.
Still bequeathed the entire collection to one US city that would agree to fund and build a free-standing museum to house the collection. His widow, Patricia, oversaw the selection process.
Denver, being the amazing city it is, rose to the challenge and secured the Clyfford Still collection in 2004. There are very few Still pieces held in private collections, so this is the one venue in the world where art aficionados will be able to view Still’s big, colorful canvases, his drawings and sculpture.
The museum itself is also drawing rave reviews. Designed by architect Brad Cloepfil, it is a light filled and interesting building built of textured and striated concrete sitting directly behind the Hamilton Wing of the Denver Art Museum.
Visit the Clyfford Still Museum at 1250 Bannock Street soon and often, and support the arts in Denver. This gives you one more reason, beside the new H & M store to visit downtown Denver.
Gretchen Faber, LifeStyle Denver author, is a local Denver real estate broker. Contact Gretchen for information on Denver area real estate.
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Research the History of Your Denver Home at the Library
November 17th, 2011 categories: Life In Denver
Do you like to do research? The Denver Public Library offers you the ability to learn about the history of your house.
If you’re interested in your home’s past, who lived there, if any businesses were there, or what it looked like then plan a day at the DPL main branch.
The helpful librarians can find copies of original building permits, some blueprints and ownership records. The library sometimes has early photographs of a building or the neighborhood and detailed information on previous owners.
Spend an afternoon and have fun learning about your house! A friend once said to me, “You never really own your home, you’re borrowing it from the next people to live there.” That sentiment becomes reality when you learn the history of your home’s past residents.
Find more information at the Denver Public Library’s web site.
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1254 Monaco Parkway in Denver’s Historic Montclair
November 3rd, 2011 categories: LifeStyle Listings
Situated on the lovely and historic Monaco Parkway in Central Denver, the Montclair neighborhood is a classic. 1254 Monaco Parkway is a home you will not want to miss.
Step across the threshold and feel right at home. The modern conveniences combined with historic charm accentuate the architectural integrity and livability.
Wood floors, Wolf gas range and Sub-Zero refrigerator in the renovated gourmet kitchen and a formal dining room give the heart of the house warmth.
French doors to the patio from the large formal living room perfectly frame the charming outdoor space.
A large master suite with renovated bath, built-ins for books and TV and a large closet is unusual for this era of home. The laundry is in the master suite, adding convenience. And each of the upstairs bedrooms offers unique charm.
Not only will you find the indoor-outdoor family room, this home also boasts a main floor formal living room and a main floor study with fireplace. The basement offers excellent storage space, and a place to set up an exercise room.
- Year built: 1891
- Lot Size: 12,000 square feet – oversized and lovely!
- Square feet above grade: 3,768
- Basement Square Feet: 849
- Four Bedrooms, Four Baths and Three Fireplaces
- Detached 2-Car Garage
Priced at $950,000. Email Gretchen Faber through the Contact Button to schedule a showing.
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Doors Open Denver 2009 – A City Celebration!
April 16th, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, Real Estate News
2009
Designing Denver
Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19
10am-4pm
Denver Real Estate isn’t all about buying and selling homes, condos or office buildings.
Our fair city has an impressive number of architectural gems and interesting public spaces. This weekend, celebrate the annual Doors Open Denver and visit the buildings you’ve always been interested in learning more about.
Doors Open Denver celebrates the architects and architecture that have shaped the city of Denver and influenced our growth and development. The event is free, offering the perfect opportunity to go inside some of our city gems which are rarely open and available to view.
The Doors Open Denver website lists the buildings that will be open, as well as offers ideas for tours and maps. Button up your coat – we expect our last spring snowstorm tomorrow – and get out into the city. A little snow never slows us down!
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Denver Real Estate | Denver’s Architectural Styles
January 3rd, 2009 categories: Life In Denver, Relocation Tips, Selling Strategies
When you’re selling your home in Denver, you may want to have the correct label on the house for it’s architectural style. I’ve seen homes that were clearly Victorian labeled Tudor, or Mid-Century Modern called International Style. Denver Real Estate is replete with fabulous architectural styles, and remember, marketing is everything. Your Bungalow may or may not be Arts and Crafts.
My home is a Tudor style, something my husband and I said we didn’t want when we were looking for a home. We tended to gravitate to clean lines and a more modern, warm feel. Our house was built in 1938, and many of the architectural details reminded me of the house I grew up in, built the same year. While we thought a Tudor home would be dark and choppy, we discovered that the house was perfect for our family’s lifestyle.
Another lovely style that’s been adopted as a Denver original is the Foursquare. Locals call this a “Denver Square” and these homes were primarily built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. They supplanted the more embellished Victorians found in many of our older neighborhoods.
Always a favorite of mine is the Modern Style home. Among “Modern” you’ll find Prairie and Usonian styles, and in some 
neighborhoods (Bonnie Brae for example) there are fine examples of International style homes. These tend to be devoid of decoration with clean lines and flat roofs. As a child, our coffee table books were Art or Architecture books. I clearly remember thumbing through my parent’s Bauhaus book and being enthralled with the artistry of the style.
Other typical Denver styles of architecture are Neoclassical and Georgian. These are often confused. The Georgians are very symmetrical and formal. They usually have a grand entryway or portico. The keystones above the windows are another giveaway that you’re looking at a Georgian style home. The Neoclassical style shows off the very prominent columns and you can’t mistake the look that was intended to mimic a Greek Temple.
Finally, we must admire the workhorse of Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood – The Bungalow. Bungalows in Denver are low slung and brick. They typically have lovely front porches with brick columns holding up the roof. Many bungalows have beautiful Craftsman style mill work inside, and it’s always a pleasure to find the warm wooden trim unpainted or restored.
Central Denver is a unique mix of architectural styles, and while some have been adapted with a western flair, there are elements of historic styles in new and older neighborhoods. Read today’s terrific article in the Rocky Mountain News if you’re interested in more information on Denver’s architecture.
Enjoy your search for a new home in Denver, Colorado!
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