Mid-Mod Architecture - Citywide Banks Building

We've looked at a lot of the mid-mod architecture in the downtown Littleton area, but there are other great examples of this unique architecture all around the Denver area. It makes sense that we would find some great examples along Colfax Avenue. Traveling down Colfax is like taking a trip through time. The street is still home to many of the structures that would've welcomed travelers as they entered Denver from the east. If you're sailing down the road a bit too fast, though, you may miss the unusual-looking Citywide Banks building.

The tall pillars that decorate the front of the bank are definitely the most eye-catching aspect of the building. They look a bit like giant mushrooms. This theme is even continued in the design of the bank's tall sign that stands out by the road.

I certainly get some weird looks when I'm out and about taking pictures of random buildings. I don't think anyone would think it weird to pull over and nab a few snaps of this one, though. This isn't the sort of design you see every day.

The Citywide Banks building is located at 10660 E Colfax in Aurora.

Littleton Blvd, Between Greenwood St and Hickory St, Mid-century Modern Architecture

It's been a little while since we looked at some of the mid-mod architecture on Littleton Boulevard. More recent posts have moved us further west, toward downtown Littleton. However, today we're going to venture back a few blocks east to a section of the road between Greenwood and Hickory Streets.

Our first stop is the Nickels-Hill Chapel of Peace designed by Raymond Heyl in 1958. Today it is known as the Drinkwine Family Mortuary. This is an intriguing building, featuring stone walls and dramatic glass windows. Yet, the location still has a peaceful, park-like feel. 

It's interesting to see photos from when this building was new, and the trees were much smaller. Today, however, the greenery seems to envelop the building. You can find this building at 999 W Littleton Blvd.

Across the street and down the block are two more interesting buildings, that I, unfortunately, don't have any background information on. The first building is located at 1060 W Littleton Blvd. It's large windows and unique slanted roof definitely draw the eye. Today the building houses a non-profit organization the assists adults with special needs.

Right next door is a small strip mall that also has unique mid-mod features. Like its next-door neighbor, this building also has a unique angled roof. Today the building houses two offices, including a medical dispensary. We are in Colorado, after all.

I find the brickwork on the west wall of the building to be quite interesting, as well. This building is located at 1080 W Littleton Blvd.

Downtown Littleton - Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Littleton Boulevard is the main drag through downtown Littleton, and the hot spot for finding examples of mid-century modern architecture in the area. However, there are also a few great examples if you wander a few blocks to the north or south.

At the corner of Powers Avenue and Prince Street you will find the building that originally housed the Circle Savings and Loan. This brick structure is unique for its curved features and for the fact that it sits diagonally on the lot, facing the corner. The southwest side of the building also features a sunken garden. The structure was built in 1970 and designed by Laramey and Butts. The building currently houses an accounting office. You'll find it at 5583 S Prince St in Littleton.

Head south on Prince Street a few blocks and you'll find the Littleton National Bank building, which is now a Chase Bank location. Designed by Barker Rinker Seacat, it is one of downtown Littleton's most imposing structures. The hooded windows are one of the most notable features of the building. The impressive structure stands tall at 5734 S Prince St, on the corner or Prince and Alamo.

Littleton Blvd Side Streets - Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Today we continue our look at mid-century modern architecture in Littleton with two buildings that technically aren't on Littleton Blvd, but are just a few steps down its side streets.

We begin at 5723 S Gallup Street with a building that is appropriately called The Gallup Building. It was designed by Eugene Sternberg, the architect responsible for the Courthouse Building covered in a previous post. 

Sternberg is possibly most famous for designing the mid-modern housing development Arapahoe Acres in nearby Englewood. Though not quite as dramatic as his Courthouse Building, the Gallup Building still has an eye-catching roof and windows. I also appreciate the raised and sunken entryways.

One block over, at 5804 S Datura Street, you will find the building which was originally home to the Arapahoe County Bank. The building, designed by Earl Chester Morris, now houses a different sort of bank...a food bank. The unique zig-zag roof is probably the most interesting feature of the building. Morris himself lived in Littleton and is buried in nearby Littleton Cemetery. His headstone is, like his buildings, a unique design that is easy to spot.

Littleton Boulevard & South Datura Street, Mid Century Modern Architecture

There is a stretch of road in Littleton that is just over a mile long, but home to several unique examples of mid-century modern architecture.  Simply turn west off of Broadway onto Littleton Boulevard and follow the road until it splits at the entrance to downtown Littleton. It's a short drive, but it's more interesting to walk and take in the dozen or so unique structures. 

I've driven down Littleton Boulevard hundreds of times, but recently decided to park the car and stroll down the street to get a closer look at some of the buildings I'd just seen in passing over the years. We'll begin with a close look at several buildings that can be found at the intersection of Littleton Boulevard and South Datura Street.

The first building is not itself unique, as there were many of these buildings in various regions of the country. I just happen to think they are cool and love when I encounter ones that are still standing. My wife has always thought this was once a skating rink, and it certainly looks like it could've been, but this building was actually once a Safeway grocery store. Today it's an ARC Thrift Store. I love the rounded ceilings of these old grocery stores. There is another former Safeway with a similar style just a few miles away from this one. It currently sits empty, formerly home of a gym which closed during the forced COVID shutdowns.

Cross Datura from the ARC store and you will find the Taco House. When built this unique building housed Rich's Charco-Burgers. The yellow coat of paint is fairly new, but that drive-thru lane has been there since the joint was built. That was a pretty unique feature for a restaurant back then. There are a few other Taco House locations around Denver, but this one is certainly the most unique from an architectural standpoint.

Over on the northwest side of Littleton Boulevard, nestled between a 7 Eleven and a former IHOP, you'll find what was originally the Littleton Savings and Loan, designed by Joseph and Louise Marlow. It's recognizable by its crazy sunscreen which covers the building's second story. The sunscreen was designed by Robert Propst, who is known for creating the Action Office series of furniture, which evolved into what we know today as "cubicles." I seem to remember that when I moved here in the 90's, this feature was bright yellow, but a calmer shade of gray has since taken over. A printing company now occupies part of the building.

There are many more great things to see along Littleton's "Mid Mod Mile." Stay tuned for future posts.