Montclair Queen Anne

Note: This project was completed while employed at Ekman Design Studio Architecture. I was the Project Manager and Historic Preservation Specialist.

Winner of the 2016 American Institute of Architecture Colorado Best Residential Historic Remodel

Project Overview

Sitting on the edge of Denver’s historic Montclair neighborhood is an 1888 3-story brick home which proves that a classic “Painted Lady” Victorian can be gracefully renovated to meet the needs of a modern lifestyle while employing sustainable energy techniques and restoring architectural identity. The home was originally designed as a country estate common to the Montclair neighborhood. Since the original construction, the home has endured multiple fires and major renovations that began as early as the 1930’s.

A historic photo of the home was discovered in the book “Richthoven’s Montclair: A Pioneer Denver Suburb” by Dr. Thomas J. Noel. The tiny thumbnail photo was meticulously examined for the forms and details that drove the exterior rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Craftsmanship

When the home was constructed in 1888, craftsmanship was at its height in 19th c. America. In order to restore or reconstruct the aesthetic of the home, two key parameters were required: 1) a high level of craft from the builder, and 2) a high level of communication between builder and architect. The millwork profiles were for example, not stock or available today. Integrating new millwork into the existing profiles is an extremely difficult task only accomplished by a builder with strong traditional skills and knowledge. The team at Blackstock Construction was a natural fit for this project. Many of the interior partition doors, with their transom windows were missing. By matching the existing doors with those found in an 1893 millwork catalogue, appropriate replacement doors were reconstructed for the missing units.

Foyer Stair & Stained Glass

The home’s stained glass windows are a major character defining interior element. Renowne local conservator, Phil Watkins, carefully restored the windows to their original glory. The quality of light imbued on the main formal stairway is striking..