Historic Country Club Neighborhood – Denver Homes for Sale

In the early 20th Century, Denver’s population had reached nearly 135,000 people and, with economic stability recovering, was expanding east.  It was a time of renewal and growth which brought about many movements including the City Beautiful Movement, which inspired Mayor Robert Speer to create parks, parkways, landmarks, and improve existing structures rundown from neglect.  This movement inspired many others to do the same. A group of investors who founded the Overland Park Club (mainly racing at the time) were looking to move the Club to a new location and rename it The Denver Country Club. Their vision was to create a neighborhood of affluence in the heart of the city.  Imagine taking 400-acres of desolate farmland and creating one of Denver’s premier and most elegant neighborhoods – Historic Country Club.  In 1902, they purchased a 120-acre parcel along Cherry Creek with plans to design the Denver Country Club. On the same day the gentleman incorporated the Fourth Ave. Realty Company and purchased the additional acreage across the street for future residential development. The Historic Country Club Neighborhood, located just North of the Denver Country Club and West of the Cherry Creek Mall, is bound by Downing St. and University Blvd on the East-West and 1st and 6th Avenues on the North-South.  The first subdivision to be developed in the Country Club neighborhood was Park Club Place running from Downing St. east to Humboldt St. and from Speer Blvd. north to 4th Ave.  It was platted in two sections, the first in 1905 and the second in 1907.  In wanting to create a spacious and stately feel, double lots were required per home and south of 3rd Ave., 6 to 12 lots were required. The second subdivision was Country Club place running from Humboldt St. east to High St. and from Speer Blvd. north to Fourth Ave. It was platted in 1906. The third subdivision was the Country Club Annex east of High St. to Gaylord St. and from Speer Blvd. north to Fourth Ave.  It was platted in 1924 and 1927.  The fourth subdivision was Park Lane Square (Circle Drive), an area running east of High St. to University Blvd. and north of Fourth Ave. to 6th Ave.  It was platted in 1926 and is home to some of Country Club’s most exquisite residences.  The 58 lots in this subdivision were platted at an average of 18,000 sq.ft. The subdivision was built intentionally without sidewalks or alleys creating a private, country-like feel in the city. The Fourth Avenue Realty Company chose William E. Fisher as its primary designer.  He designed landscaped parkways as part of the defining characteristic of the neighborhood, inspired by Frederick Law Olmstead, and designed the Mediterranean Gateway along 4th Avenue, which was the original entrance to the Denver Country Club.  The district nicknamed the “Spanish Suburb” is beautifully landscaped and incorporates some of Denver’s finest examples of early 20th century architectural styles, such as the Denver Square, Gothic, Colonial, and Mediterranean Revivals. Denver’s most prominent architects, including Fisher and Fisher, Benedict, Biscoe, Gove and Walsh, and Varian and Sterner, designed many of the houses.  Many of which, have remained in families for three to four generations.   The Country Club neighborhood’s significance was recognized in 1979 when the western half of the district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Country Club Historic District was designated as a Landmark District in 1990.  The L-shaped district comprised of 380 residences, most of which were constructed in 1902 through 1945, was found to qualify as a Landmark district because of its historical, architectural, and geographical significance.   The rich architectural history of this neighborhood is now protected, and the Commission must approve any proposed changes before a permit can be issued. Attracted to the large lots, beautiful landscaping and architecture, many of Denver’s political, social and economic elite made the Country Club neighborhood home, including Mayor Speer, founder’s of most of Denver’s banks, and heads of Denver’s major oil, mining and real estate industries.  The neighborhood is anchored by the Denver Country Club, which remains one of the finest country clubs west of the Mississippi.  The Country Club had many infamous members, including the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, “Baby Doe” Tabor and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Historic Country Club District is a neighborhood like no other in Denver due to its beauty, grandeur, historical preservation, and close proximity to the now posh Cherry Creek Shopping District, and Downtown Denver.   The district is a prime place to live.  For more information about homes available in the Historic Country Club District or any other real estate or investment needs, please contact Jesse Sehlemeyer at 303-564-2245.