Est. 1970 + Vol ume 47 + Number 1 + Winter 2018 Illustration of proposed Summer White House. Photo: Denver Public Library, Western History and Genealogy Department Current day view, Photo: Shannon Schaefer Jacques Benedict, Denver Architect By Mike McPhee, Guest Writer his favorite designers. Benedict’s timing was not planned, but it was perfect. Colorado has been blessed with many fine architects, both commercial and resi- But why would such a gifted, creative person, given the finest education avail- dential. In the Denver metro area, names like Burnham Hoyt, Frank Edbrooke and able in the Western world, come out to a “cow town” such as Denver in 1909, giv- the Fisher brothers stand out. Each had their favorite or most notable buildings. But ing up the job of a lifetime in New York City designing portions of the New York however popular they became, none of them evolved into a brand name in the way Public Library, the Frick Mansion and the Manhattan Bridge? There are theories, that Jacques Benedict designs have. some more plausible than others. Whatever the actual reason for his relocation to “It’s a Benedict building” has grown into a sought-after descriptions of elegance the frontier, his contributions to the area during the first half of the 20th Century and taste in Denver homes today, signifying not only the most pleasing of propor- were enormous. tions but also tasteful ornamentation in the Beaux-Arts style that dominated archi- Jules Jacques Benoit Benedict was born in Chicago in 1879, the second of four tecture at the turn of the 20th Century. children born to a successful men’s clothier and sometime real estate developer. Benedict arrived in Denver in 1909 just as some of Colorado’s largest fortunes Early in life, Benedict realized his talent for drawing. Forsaking the standard path were being amassed from mining, agriculture, railroads and the processing of sugar into college, he chose instead to study at the Art Institute of Chicago. It was here and flour. Highly successful entrepreneurs wanted to display their new wealth, and that he realized his love not just for drawing but for architecture, surely having there was no better way than to build large, elegant homes that stood out in the most been influenced by the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which featured the “White City” desirable neighborhoods. At the same time, Denver Mayor Robert Speer latched on designed entirely in the Beaux Arts style. to the “City Beautiful” movement sweeping the nation, and Benedict became one of continued on page 7 Permit No. 756 No. Permit Denver, CO Denver, PAID Denver, CO 80218 CO Denver, 1420 Ogden Street Ogden 1420 U.S. Postage U.S. Historic Denver, Inc. Denver, Historic Non Profit Org. Profit Non Historic Denver news FROM THE DIRECTOR the late 1970s, and was made a per- bilitation benefits local economies and manent part of the code during the is heavily dependent on local materials Reagan administration in the 1980s. and laborers. The tax credit provided Historic Denver, Inc. Since then it has catalyzed the rehabili- the ideal opportunity to incentivize the 1420 Ogden Street tation of more than 42,000 buildings, revitalization of main streets through- Denver, CO 80218 created over two million jobs, and out the state while also spurring job 303.534.5288 www.historicdenver.org generated nearly 30 billion dollars in creation for areas still recovering from federal tax revenue, ultimately produc- the recession. Board of Trustees ing $1.25 for every dollar expended. In the two years since implemen- Chair Bob Bassett However, just before Thanksgiving the tation, the new tax credit program 1st Vice Chair Georgi Contiguglia House of Representatives presented a has been overwhelmingly successful. 2nd Vice Chair Kendra Sandoval draft tax reform bill that eliminated Since its launch in July 2015, tax Treasurer Rebecca Rogers both the 20% and 10% rehabilita- credit applicants have used the credit Secretary Lucy Clark tion tax credits. Shortly thereafter the to kick-start 37 commercial projects Sarah Allen Pat Miller Senate included the 20% credit in an across the state totaling more than Elaine Asarch Linda Moery amendment to their version of the bill, $121 million in economic impact. Stockton Baker Heather Noyes Photo: Havey Productions with a new provision that the credits The various projects represent a Dan Craine Gary Petri must be taken over a five year period geographic diversity that includes Tom Hart Caitlin Quander hile the holidays bring fes- instead of taken all at once at the end the communities of Silverton, New Walter Huff Doris Rigoni tive events and family time, of a project. After both bills passed, the Castle, Trinidad, Telluride, Steamboat Ellen Ittelson Judi Roach-Tointon WHistoric Denver’s advocacy agenda did two were reconciled and through our Springs, and several across the Front Jesse Kajer Rich Von Luhrte not slow, with major actions happen- advocacy the Senate’s version of the Range metropolitan area. Denver David Leuthold Steve Weil ing in the final weeks of the year, from preservation tax credit prevailed. On projects that have or are set to use Casey Miller December 20 Congress confirmed once the credit include the Cathedral High a close call for the federal historic tax HD Central Office credit to fast action to understand the again that incentivizing the rehabilita- School site, Tammen Hall at the old tion of our historic buildings is good Children’s Hospital, the 1st Avenue Executive Director Annie Levinsky x1 true fate of the beloved Cherry Cricket Director of Preservation John Olson x4 (see page 4), both of which are cov- for our communities and our economy. Hotel and the Essex Apartment Programs ered more in this issue. As we look Retaining this tool, even in its Building discussed in this issue. Director of Discover Denver Beth Glandon x3 forward into 2018 we see the trend slightly altered form, will support While a few of these projects seek Preservation Coordinator Shannon Schaefer x6 of intense advocacy continuing. Up much needed urban and rural projects. tax credits at the federal and the state Director of Community Alison Salutz x5 Programs first on the New Year’s agenda? Our In years past, the Historic Tax Credit level, the state credit is designed to be advocacy for the preservation of I.M. has supported the revitalization of more accessible, for smaller and mid- Development Associate Sigri Strand x7 Pei’s iconic 16th Street Mall design, buildings in Denver such as Denver scale projects. Having both options designating one of University Park’s Union Station, the Sugar building, creates both flexibility and certainty Molly Brown grandest homes (see page 10), support- the Ice House and Colorado National for property owners, and ensures that House Museum ing several neighborhood conservation Bank. Most recently, the federal tax when one credit is threatened, (as the 1340 Pennsylvania St. efforts (see page 3), and working with credit has helped preservation projects federal credit was late last year) there Denver, CO 80203 the State Legislature to extend the pair with affordable housing efforts is still a program available that makes 303.832.4092 www.mollybrown.org Colorado preservation tax credit pro- and if lost, projects like the rehabili- projects experiencing financing gaps or Director Andrea Malcomb x15 gram (below), also known as the Main tation of Tammen Hall and the 1st insurmountable hurdles, possible. Director of Education Jamie Melissa Wilms x17 Street Revitalization Act, so that our Avenue Hotel may have been in jeop- Historic Denver, Inc. in partner- Curator of Collections Stephanie McGuire x12 historic buildings have every opportu- ardy. We are deeply relieved that the ship with Colorado Preservation, Inc. Volunteer and Event Kim Popetz x16 nity possible to remain a part of our Federal Historic Tax Credit will con- and other local partners, has initiated Coordinator neighborhoods and support our city’s tinue to help us revitalize and maintain an advocacy effort to ensure that the Visitor Services Coordinator Aileen Waski x13 unique identity. the places the make Denver, Denver. credit continues beyond 2019. Our efforts involve seeking bill sponsors Historic Denver News FEDERAL HISTORIC TAX STATE TAX CREDIT FACES and supporters, expressing the impor- CREDIT SURVIVES TAX RE-AUTHORIZATION tance of this tool, determining whether Managing Editor Shannon Schaefer 303.534.5288 x6 REFORM With the retention of the Federal it can grow, and highlighting the eco- Historic Tax Credit, local preservation nomic benefits to all Colorado commu- Graphic Design Edgellworks The final weeks of 2017 saw a lot Printing Southeast Denver Graphics organizations in Colorado are turning nities. The partner organizations have of turmoil regarding tax reform at Mailhouse Direct Mail Concepts our attention to the necessary reau- raised funds for the effort, and will be the Federal Level, but in the end the thorization of the State Historic Tax sure to keep our supporters updated historic preservation community was Historic Denver News welcomes your letters, Credit program, which is currently set on the progress, as your help reaching successful in maintaining a critical contents of which may be edited for length and to sunset in 2019. out to your representatives and sena- clarity. Please include your name, address and preservation tool, the federal Historic While Colorado has had a state- tors will be critical to maintaining this telephone number in correspondence to: Tax Credit (HTC). The HTC was level preservation tax credit for both key preservation tool. Editor, Historic Denver News, saved through the bipartisan efforts of residential and commercial properties 1420 Ogden Street, Denver, CO 80218 preservation organizations across the since the early 1990s, through our country, local and state-wide, as well advocacy the program was signifi- as community members that called and cantly improved by the state legislature wrote their senators and congress-peo- in 2014.