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Ideal Building

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1907, Montana Fallis and John J. Stein. 1927, William E. and Arthur A. Fisher. 821 17th St. (at Champa St.) (NR)

For its headquarters the Ideal Cement Company erected the region's first major reinforced concrete structure. The 1927 rear addition employed the same materials. The first two floors are faced with large blocks of dressed Colorado travertine, while the upper floors are clad in brick, now stuccoed. A central two-story arch with an American eagle keystone frames the entry to what was once the Denver National Bank. In conjunction with the 1927 addition, the bank redecorated the two-story lobby, whose ceiling is supported by steel columns simulating marble. Poly-Chrome steel beams divide stained glass skylights, and a mezzanine frieze sculpted by Arnold Ronnebeck addresses the theme of money in history. The bank's huge basement vault has been converted to an intimate private dining room within a subterranean restaurant.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Thomas J. Noel
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Data

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Citation

Thomas J. Noel, "Ideal Building", [Denver, Colorado], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/CO-01-DV039.

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