Monday, March 26, 2007
Fontius Building: Part 1, The History
Officially, the Fontius Building--the historic structure in embarrasing disrepair at the corner of 16th and Welton in the heart of Downtown Denver--is called the Steel Building, named for Steel's Department Store, the original occupant of the 1923 structure. But since Steel's Department Store is long gone and the sign that now clings to the building's facade reads "Fontius," most people these days know the building as the Fontius Building.
I'm not sure when Fontius Shoes first moved into the space at 600 16th Street on Block 162, but I can tell you when they left. In one of my initial blogs about the Fontius, I asked if anyone out there knew when the shoe store closed. How long, exactly, has the retail space at the epicenter of Downtown Denver been vacant? I received several emails from folks who claimed they knew when the Downtown Fontius went dark but, unfortunately, they all cited different years. So, in an effort to settle the matter once and for all, I headed down to the remarkable Western History and Genealogy department at the Downtown Denver Public Library. If you've never been to the Central Library's fifth floor, get down there ASAP! Anyway, a quick search of the business pages in the Denver phone books from the 1980s revealed that the Fontius store Downtown was listed in the 1988 edition but not in the 1989 edition. So, I think it's reasonable to assume that sometime in 1988 the Fontius store in Downtown Denver closed, which means that the retail space at the corner of 16th and Welton has been vacant for roughly twenty years.
But before dwelling on the building's two-decade-long decline, let's look back at the Fontius Building when it represented a positive contribution to Downtown Denver's environment. Before 1923, a small nondescript building occupied the corner of 16th and Welton. Then in 1923, a new 4-story structure with muted art deco elements was built for Steel's Department Store. Here's a photo, courtesy of the Western History department's online photo archives, of the Steel Building on opening day:
There aren't many photos of the Steel Building in the DPL archives, unlike more prominent buildings like the Brown Palace, the D&F Tower, the Equitable Building, or the Masonic Building. But here are a few... all courtesy of the Western History department's photo archives.
A view of 16th and California with the Steel Building at the photo left edge. Note the large "Cafeteria" sign mounted on the side of the building. In the background, the fifth and sixth floors are being added to the Denver Dry Goods Building (1924):
In addition to Steel's Department Store, the building also hosted the Hoff-Schroeder Cafeteria facing the Welton Street side. Here's a 1927 photograph of the interior:
Also along Welton between 16th and 15th was the Orpheum Theater, one of the city's grandest Vaudevillian theaters. The site has been an ugly surface parking lot for decades. Here's a late 1920s photo of the corner of 15th and Welton (15th on the left, Welton on the right) and the Orpheum Theater along Welton. The Steel Building is at the photo right edge:
Finally, here's a mid-century photo of the 621 17th Street tower at 17th and Welton (formerly First Interstate, now Wells Fargo) under construction in 1957, with the Steel Building and Orpheum Theater in the foreground left. The buildings on the right are where the Denver Pavilions now stands:
So there's a little photo history of the Fontius, the building that's been mostly vacant for twenty years. TWENTY YEARS. The last time the Fontius Shoes retail space was occupied...
- Ronald Reagan was President
- Denver International Airport was only a glimmer in Federico Peña's eye
- Currigan Hall was Denver's premier--and only--Downtown convention center
- Lower Downtown wasn't called "LoDo" and its predominant scene was vagrants, graffiti, boarded-up windows, broken glass, and litter
- The 16th Street Mall was only six years old
- The Cherry Creek Mall (as it stands today) wasn't built yet
The current owner of the Fontius Building, according to the Denver Assessor's office, is TDG Cook Company, LTD and Robert E. Cook. The registered agent and general partner of the partnership, according to the Colorado Secretary of State, is Gary R. Cook.
Clearly displayed in the front window of the vacant Fontius Shoes store is this sign:
The Cooks would have you believe that the Fontius is for lease. But, despite its fantastic heart-of-Downtown location, for some reason, the Cooks have never been able to lease the space! Strange, huh? The phone number on the sign, you'll notice, has no area code. That's because that sign has been hanging in the window since before Denver got its second area code, 720, in 1995.
Wouldn't you think that someone would have wanted to lease a highly visible space like the former Fontius Shoes store in the past twenty years? Has no one wanted to lease this prominent retail space at the crossroads of Downtown in two decades? It's really quite strange that the Cooks have never found a suitable renter for their property in the core of a vibrant urban environment like Downtown Denver. Very odd indeed.
What about selling the property instead? Funny, in twenty years, the Cooks have apparently never received an offer for their property that they have found suitable. They've refused to sell to everyone who has approached them. Downtown real estate booms have come and gone, but the Cooks perpetually hold out for the next big boom. But, of course, when that next boom does come, it's still not good enough for the Cook family. They're perfectly content to let a handsome historic building in the heart of Downtown sit vacant and deteriorate, for decades, to the chagrin of Denver citizens.
Next time, we'll take an up-close look at the Cook's property at 16th and Welton in "Fontius Building: Part 2, The Neglect."
I'm not sure when Fontius Shoes first moved into the space at 600 16th Street on Block 162, but I can tell you when they left. In one of my initial blogs about the Fontius, I asked if anyone out there knew when the shoe store closed. How long, exactly, has the retail space at the epicenter of Downtown Denver been vacant? I received several emails from folks who claimed they knew when the Downtown Fontius went dark but, unfortunately, they all cited different years. So, in an effort to settle the matter once and for all, I headed down to the remarkable Western History and Genealogy department at the Downtown Denver Public Library. If you've never been to the Central Library's fifth floor, get down there ASAP! Anyway, a quick search of the business pages in the Denver phone books from the 1980s revealed that the Fontius store Downtown was listed in the 1988 edition but not in the 1989 edition. So, I think it's reasonable to assume that sometime in 1988 the Fontius store in Downtown Denver closed, which means that the retail space at the corner of 16th and Welton has been vacant for roughly twenty years.
But before dwelling on the building's two-decade-long decline, let's look back at the Fontius Building when it represented a positive contribution to Downtown Denver's environment. Before 1923, a small nondescript building occupied the corner of 16th and Welton. Then in 1923, a new 4-story structure with muted art deco elements was built for Steel's Department Store. Here's a photo, courtesy of the Western History department's online photo archives, of the Steel Building on opening day:
There aren't many photos of the Steel Building in the DPL archives, unlike more prominent buildings like the Brown Palace, the D&F Tower, the Equitable Building, or the Masonic Building. But here are a few... all courtesy of the Western History department's photo archives.
A view of 16th and California with the Steel Building at the photo left edge. Note the large "Cafeteria" sign mounted on the side of the building. In the background, the fifth and sixth floors are being added to the Denver Dry Goods Building (1924):
In addition to Steel's Department Store, the building also hosted the Hoff-Schroeder Cafeteria facing the Welton Street side. Here's a 1927 photograph of the interior:
Also along Welton between 16th and 15th was the Orpheum Theater, one of the city's grandest Vaudevillian theaters. The site has been an ugly surface parking lot for decades. Here's a late 1920s photo of the corner of 15th and Welton (15th on the left, Welton on the right) and the Orpheum Theater along Welton. The Steel Building is at the photo right edge:
Finally, here's a mid-century photo of the 621 17th Street tower at 17th and Welton (formerly First Interstate, now Wells Fargo) under construction in 1957, with the Steel Building and Orpheum Theater in the foreground left. The buildings on the right are where the Denver Pavilions now stands:
So there's a little photo history of the Fontius, the building that's been mostly vacant for twenty years. TWENTY YEARS. The last time the Fontius Shoes retail space was occupied...
- Ronald Reagan was President
- Denver International Airport was only a glimmer in Federico Peña's eye
- Currigan Hall was Denver's premier--and only--Downtown convention center
- Lower Downtown wasn't called "LoDo" and its predominant scene was vagrants, graffiti, boarded-up windows, broken glass, and litter
- The 16th Street Mall was only six years old
- The Cherry Creek Mall (as it stands today) wasn't built yet
The current owner of the Fontius Building, according to the Denver Assessor's office, is TDG Cook Company, LTD and Robert E. Cook. The registered agent and general partner of the partnership, according to the Colorado Secretary of State, is Gary R. Cook.
Clearly displayed in the front window of the vacant Fontius Shoes store is this sign:
The Cooks would have you believe that the Fontius is for lease. But, despite its fantastic heart-of-Downtown location, for some reason, the Cooks have never been able to lease the space! Strange, huh? The phone number on the sign, you'll notice, has no area code. That's because that sign has been hanging in the window since before Denver got its second area code, 720, in 1995.
Wouldn't you think that someone would have wanted to lease a highly visible space like the former Fontius Shoes store in the past twenty years? Has no one wanted to lease this prominent retail space at the crossroads of Downtown in two decades? It's really quite strange that the Cooks have never found a suitable renter for their property in the core of a vibrant urban environment like Downtown Denver. Very odd indeed.
What about selling the property instead? Funny, in twenty years, the Cooks have apparently never received an offer for their property that they have found suitable. They've refused to sell to everyone who has approached them. Downtown real estate booms have come and gone, but the Cooks perpetually hold out for the next big boom. But, of course, when that next boom does come, it's still not good enough for the Cook family. They're perfectly content to let a handsome historic building in the heart of Downtown sit vacant and deteriorate, for decades, to the chagrin of Denver citizens.
Next time, we'll take an up-close look at the Cook's property at 16th and Welton in "Fontius Building: Part 2, The Neglect."
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Way to go, Ken! Let's hope this, and other information being spread across DenverInfill and SSP, finally get Gary Cook to do something with the Fontius!
Permalink Posted by 
: 3/27/2007 05:06:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 05:06:00 AM
Maybe we should get a group of folks to picket in front of the Fontius Building on a semi-regular basis. No nasty signs or demonstrations, just a group of people bringing this to the attention of passerbys and media. There could be signs, but ones that call to action (e.g., "Ask Mr. Cook why this is empty?") or pass out flyers. People protest or demonstrate for or against all sorts of things, why not this?
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 07:50:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 07:50:00 AM
Very interesting. I've always wondered about this building, since it's looked the same, ever since I can remember.
Anonymous... excellent suggestion. In fact, a lunchtime demonstration is something I'd like to see happen. In due time I was going to suggest it on the blog.
Very nice blog, Ken. Have you thought of shopping it to the Post or News as a guest commentary?
Eminent domain. Just take the property away from these owners and be done with it.
Rights are rights, but sometimes those rights need to be squashed up and thrown at certain families.
I would support civic activism if I thought it would make a difference. But, the only useful effect it would have would be to get the City to finally take action and force the issue.
Eminent domain. Just take the property away from these owners and be done with it.
Rights are rights, but sometimes those rights need to be squashed up and thrown at certain families.
I would support civic activism if I thought it would make a difference. But, the only useful effect it would have would be to get the City to finally take action and force the issue.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 08:23:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 08:23:00 AM
As much as I support the idea of getting the Cooks to cooperate, the talk of eminent domain makes me queasy. The Cooks don't have the right to keep the building looking this bad for so long, but neither does the city have the right to take away property that was originally purchased (about 1960, I think) as an investment just because they've elected not to do any improvements on it. Some people put their money in stocks or bonds--the Cooks put theirs in downtown real estate. The Cooks don't share our views about the importance of keeping buildings on Denver's primary downtown street in good shape, but what I'd rather see is an effort by our elected leaders to first ask, then demand, that they clean up their act--much as the Ebers have been forced to renovate Evans School. If the demand produces no results, it goes to the courts--that's the fair way.
Ken:
In your series, I hope you include some calculation of the amount of PUBLIC investment within 2 or 3 blocks of the Fontius in the past 20 years (public dollars, by the way, which have leveraged even more multiples in PRIVATE investment). These investments by the PUBLIC, by the COMMUNITY, include: Adam's Mark Hotel, Denver Dry Goods re-hab, Denver Pavilions, the new Hyatt hotel, Colorado Convention Center 1988 and expansion in 2005, California/Stout Street light rail, A.T. Lewis & Rio Grande apartments at Stout Street, Magnolia Hotel. . .am I missing anything? The list adds up to hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars invested by the public, which ironically have absolutely increased the value of the Cooks' property. I am equally queasy about using eminent domain, but this investment strategy is different than having a portfolio of stocks or bonds--the neglected asset has a big impact on the built environment and the public realm.
Another thing--the corner retail space has been empty for 20 years, but it seems like the wig shop and the souvenir shop and the jewelry store on the ground floor have been there forever.
In your series, I hope you include some calculation of the amount of PUBLIC investment within 2 or 3 blocks of the Fontius in the past 20 years (public dollars, by the way, which have leveraged even more multiples in PRIVATE investment). These investments by the PUBLIC, by the COMMUNITY, include: Adam's Mark Hotel, Denver Dry Goods re-hab, Denver Pavilions, the new Hyatt hotel, Colorado Convention Center 1988 and expansion in 2005, California/Stout Street light rail, A.T. Lewis & Rio Grande apartments at Stout Street, Magnolia Hotel. . .am I missing anything? The list adds up to hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars invested by the public, which ironically have absolutely increased the value of the Cooks' property. I am equally queasy about using eminent domain, but this investment strategy is different than having a portfolio of stocks or bonds--the neglected asset has a big impact on the built environment and the public realm.
Another thing--the corner retail space has been empty for 20 years, but it seems like the wig shop and the souvenir shop and the jewelry store on the ground floor have been there forever.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 09:54:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 09:54:00 AM
Of course, the purpose for the Cook's purchase of the property (whether for investment, for fun, or to ruin downtown) is irrelevant to the eminent domain issue.
It seems to me that most people are talking about taking steps short of eminent domain. But that option must be on the table in order for the debate to be productive.
It seems to me that most people are talking about taking steps short of eminent domain. But that option must be on the table in order for the debate to be productive.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 10:10:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 10:10:00 AM
I agree that the Cooks seem to have little to no interest in cleaning the building up. I think you would need to find what other investments they have (land) and see if this is the case everywhere. I think this is just a sad case of greed.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 10:21:00 AM
: 3/27/2007 10:21:00 AM
^ It just so happens I have that info and will be surveying/photographing their Downtown holdings and featuring the results in a future blog. :)
A while back, when the Fontius issue was first posted, I happily emailed my Councilwoman on the issue. I think any discussions between the City and the Cook family has stalled. Hopefully, public ridicule will encourage them to redevelop/renovate/flat do anything to the property.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 12:44:00 PM
: 3/27/2007 12:44:00 PM
i wonder...is this building part of the downtown denver historic district? if not, it may be possible to include the buiding withOUT the owner's consent...and then hold them to certain upkeep standards. in the event they fail, the property can be seized (i believe that was the tactic with the Evans school...which, btw, would make a great new DT school...)
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 01:21:00 PM
: 3/27/2007 01:21:00 PM
Ken what a great blog!! I am impressed!
I'd be for picketing...who's with me. I promise to leave my pipe bombs at home!
I'd be for picketing...who's with me. I promise to leave my pipe bombs at home!
After reading this blog I find myself extremely irritated at the Cook's. If someone coordinates some sort of demonstration I would gladly come down to participate, and I live all the way in Vail. If this is as irritating to others as it is to me, I’m sure people would come from all over. There would have to be some sort of news coverage on that.
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 02:27:00 PM
: 3/27/2007 02:27:00 PM
Ken,
As usual, great work! I've briefly reviewed your latest blog entries regarding this block and wanted to remind you that the Steel Building (Fontius) is not the only hold out on block 162. The Republic Hotel building at 621 15th Street, although spruced up with a new coat of paint, is also mostly vacant and in disrepair. While not on the 16th Street Mall, this building is directly across the street from the Hyatt Convention Center Hotel and along a major pedestrian thoroughfare for convention traffic. The ownership group, Dikeou, seems to be equally as uncooperative as the Cooks. I'm looking forward to your continuing blogs regarding block 162...Thanks!
As usual, great work! I've briefly reviewed your latest blog entries regarding this block and wanted to remind you that the Steel Building (Fontius) is not the only hold out on block 162. The Republic Hotel building at 621 15th Street, although spruced up with a new coat of paint, is also mostly vacant and in disrepair. While not on the 16th Street Mall, this building is directly across the street from the Hyatt Convention Center Hotel and along a major pedestrian thoroughfare for convention traffic. The ownership group, Dikeou, seems to be equally as uncooperative as the Cooks. I'm looking forward to your continuing blogs regarding block 162...Thanks!
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 03:41:00 PM
: 3/27/2007 03:41:00 PM
In response to a few comments above...
Yes, Fontius/Steel building is part of the Downtown Denver Historic District. Therefore, its redevelopment would consist of a restoration, not demolition.
I certainly haven't forgotten the Republic Hotel. That and the rest of Block 162 will be focused on soon, in addition to other Cook and Dikeou properties downtown. One step at a time... :)
Yes, Fontius/Steel building is part of the Downtown Denver Historic District. Therefore, its redevelopment would consist of a restoration, not demolition.
I certainly haven't forgotten the Republic Hotel. That and the rest of Block 162 will be focused on soon, in addition to other Cook and Dikeou properties downtown. One step at a time... :)
While we probably know the answer, how about an in-depth, up-close expose on the owner's themselves - how have they benefitted from the growth and energy of the city; have they given anything at all back to downtown Denver?
Permalink Posted by : 3/27/2007 05:38:00 PM
: 3/27/2007 05:38:00 PM
Anonymous (9:54 am) made a very good point in answer to my queasiness...the Cooks have benefitted enormously from the public trough. And Ken, I'm very glad you're going to focus on the Dikeou family holdings as well. One of my very favorite historic 16th Street structures, The Colorado Building, was, or perhaps is still, owned by them, and it deserves so much love (where else can you find a such a crazy Victorian-Art Deco hybrid like that?).
Like I have said before I like hotels. While I would like to see a full service mid price hotel behind the pavilions I think the Fontius would make a good adaptive reuse hotel project. Creating a mid price historic hotel close to the convension center.
Permalink Posted by : 4/04/2007 08:52:00 PM
: 4/04/2007 08:52:00 PM
In the 1970s, downtown Sacramento passed and enforced property appearance rules: no graffiti, repair of missing window screens, clean windows and painted facades on commercial buildings, signage repair, vacant lot clean-up, etc. When property owners failed to comply, the city did the work and billed them. Eventually, Sacramento became owner of numerous absentee landholder properties that had been neglected through legal means. Downtown Sacramento made leaps past garbage-strewn streets with broken sidewalks, boarded-up houses, etc. Denver should take the same tack. Thanks for your report. Prominent landholders who don't give a damn about the city are human blight.
Permalink Posted by : 6/05/2007 07:17:00 PM
: 6/05/2007 07:17:00 PM
Ken,
I used to work at the shoe store in 1973-74. I got the job through Marshal Fontius, who was a friend of mine, through my ex-girlfriend. She lived just up the hill from his house and she cleaned it for him once or twice a week.
Marshal invited me and she to go boating in the Cherry Creek Reservoir on his cabin cruiser. He was quite a nice person, to me and she, anyway. Of course he was quite a bit older, but a good friend, nonetheless. I left Denver in 1974 after graduating from high school and lost contact with both my girlfriend and Marshal. Many fond memories...
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I used to work at the shoe store in 1973-74. I got the job through Marshal Fontius, who was a friend of mine, through my ex-girlfriend. She lived just up the hill from his house and she cleaned it for him once or twice a week.
Marshal invited me and she to go boating in the Cherry Creek Reservoir on his cabin cruiser. He was quite a nice person, to me and she, anyway. Of course he was quite a bit older, but a good friend, nonetheless. I left Denver in 1974 after graduating from high school and lost contact with both my girlfriend and Marshal. Many fond memories...
Permalink Posted by : 1/03/2008 10:56:00 AM
: 1/03/2008 10:56:00 AM Links to this post:
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