Sanctuary Lofts: Methodist Episcopal Church - Denver, CO
Colorado
The Sanctuary Lofts, formerly the Methodist Episcopal Church Denver, CO
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name: Sanctuary Lofts
Historic Name: Methodist Episcopal Church
Denomination: Methodist Episcopal
Architect: Frank E. Kidder
Construction Date: 1889
Date of Closure: 1975
Date of Reuse: 1995
Address: 2201 Ogden Street Denver, CO
Neighborhood: Uptown
Reuse: 12 high-end condominium units.
Acquisition: $300,000, purchased from private business.
Financing: $100,000 grant, Colorado Historical Society Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits—Exterior
Building Size: 12,000 sq. ft.
Project Cost: $2,000,0000 / $166 per sq. ft.
Designation: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1976.
Easement: Façade easement held by Historic Denver, Inc.
Sanctuary Lofts is not your typical loft project or a common reuse for an historic church building. With smashed windows, a fire damaged interior and a deteriorating red sandstone exterior, the former Methodist Episcopal Church in Denver’s Uptown area was once one of the largest churches in the city. The former church provides a noticeable and imposing presence in a neighborhood that consists of Victorian homes and commercial businesses. Abandoned by its congregation in 1975, the church had become a neighborhood eyesore. In the late 1970s, the church’s spire on the corner tower was removed. By the early 1990s, it was being used as a day labor business. With a lot of imagination and determination on the part of architect Norman Cable and developer Joseph Palumbo, a plan came together to transform this 1889 church into twelve high--end condominiums.
When Cable learned that the day labor business that owned the church was considering expanding its business and would entertain offers to sell, he acted quickly. He sketched a loft condominium design for the interior space to present to local developer Joseph Palumbo, who had recently completed a row house renovation in the area. Both thought there was an emerging market for condos and this project could help stabilize the neighborhood and restore a key anchor. Within three days, the developer decided to proceed with the project and bought the building for $300,000.
According to Palumbo, the reward of undertaking the Sanctuary Lofts project was “seeing a building that had been the cornerstone of a community return to that status.” Over time, the steeple had been removed and the existing bell tower had been boarded up with plywood. Although much of the stained glass was intact, it had been affected by the elements and time and had become brittle. Also, many of the sandstone blocks were broken and sagging with the weight of the church.
The project managers first used skilled craftsmen to rebuild the steeple and open the bell tower. Working with Mr. Cable to create individual units on the interior meant re--using or highlighting the significant architectural features. In the areas where the wainscoting was removed for drywall, they moved it into other areas of the building after sanding and refinishing it. They also made new doors to match the existing ones and took care to craft staircases that had similar material and composition of treads and risers. The wiring and electrical system was upgraded to accommodate life safety systems and sprinklers. Wanting to see the church reused, the City of Denver also helped on building codes and life--safety systems with designing innovative approaches.
In 1995 the work was completed on the twelve condominium units within eight months of beginning the project. Financing for the project came from a variety of sources. The units were sold for more than twice the cost of the entire building. Some units were pre--sold in order to finance the project. The developer also consulted with the Colorado Historical Society to receive technical and financial assistance for the historic building. Using a $100,000 grant disbursed from the state historical preservation fund, they restored the building’s decorative windows.
All of the lofts are individual, high--end units that feature stained glass windows, handcrafted woodwork and high ceilings. First floor units are on one level while those on the second and third floors have two and three stories. Great care was taken to retain architectural features despite the new interior configuration. One loft features the church’s ornate Rose Window in a living room space. Others include soaring vaulted spaces.
Ten years after it opened, Sanctuary Lofts is fully occupied with both homeowners and renters. It remains in excellent condition with a maintenance fund established from condominium fees.
The Sanctuary Lofts building is an innovative reuse for an historic landmark church, demonstrating how a deteriorating building can be reused and have a positive impact on a community. Since its rebirth as the Sanctuary Lofts, the former Methodist Episcopal Church is largely credited in the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. Where there was once a neighborhood with many houses run down and vacant, it is now bustling with young homeowners and renters.
For more information contact:
Norman Cable, Project Architect
(303) 830-0530
Joseph Palumbo, Developer
(303) 378-0454
Historic Denver, Inc.
(303) 534-5288
www.historicdenver.org
