Five don’t-miss Denver buildings

3900 Elati St. Year of construction: Early 1960s Architect: Unknown Early in the last decade, the Regency Hotel had turned into a decaying eyesore that, with a popular adjacent nightclub, became what many saw as a hub of violence and drug use. With the help of city officials, the site, which easily could have slid into condemnation, was converted in 2005 into housing for students of the colleges sharing the Auraria campus. The high-rise and adjacent geodesic dome remain familiar if funky landmarks along Interstate 25.

3300 Walnut St. Year of construction: 1929 Architect: Unknown Built in 1929 by the Liquid Carbonic Corp., purveyors of dry ice, carbon dioxide and other soda- fountain necessities, the structure became part of an important commercial district northeast of downtown. With its minimally adorned exterior, massive 10-by-12-foot windows and perpendicular lines, it is a classic example of industrial architecture of the time. In 2007, it underwent a transformation into 30 art studios and a 2,600-square- foot gallery.

1530 16th St. Date of construction: 1906 Architect: Gove & Walsh Originally a four-story building, two extra stories were added in 1912, because of the surging growth of the Great Western Sugar Co.'s trade in sugar beets. The verticality of the building's facade and its geometric and floral ornamentations relate it at least loosely to the well-known skyscraper architecture of Louis Sullivan. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, it serves as a prominent anchor of Denver's restored Lower Downtown.

2100 Downing St. Year of Construction: 1950 Architect: Gordon D. White Art deco and art moderne architecture are relatively scarce in Denver. With its curved corners, terra-cotta exterior and steel stash windows, this streamlined, two-story building stands as an example of the latter style. It originally served as the offices of the Supreme Camp of the American Woodmen, which provided insurance to African-Americans in the surrounding neighborhoods until its closing in 1993. The structure now houses Humphries Poli Architects, which oversaw its renovation in 2007.

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By Kyle MacMillan | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: April 8, 2010 at 12:49 PM MDT | UPDATED: May 6, 2016 at 4:55 PM MDT

Getting your player ready...

As we bounce from one thing to the next in our overscheduled lives, it’s easy to tune out what’s around us — the spaces and structures old and new that give Denver its distinctive look and feel.

Doors Open Denver, the city’s annual architectural open house, offers residents a chance to stop and look. It’s an opportunity to take a peek inside a building that’s piqued your curiosity or explore a neighborhood you’ve never visited.

This year’s edition, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18, spotlights the creative reuse of 19th- and 20th- century structures that outlasted their original function and have taken on second or third lives as inns, art studios, design offices and stores.

In all, more than 80 sites will be open for perusal — more than half never featured in Doors Open Denver before. Visit on your own, or take advantage of more 100 guided tours and an array of ancilliary activities.

We look at five of the featured sites, all from different decades.

Scroll down to view pictures of the other buildings

DOORS OPEN DENVER

Architecture. Event headquarters, Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St. More than 80 sites around Denver will be available for perusal during this annual architectural open house. This year’s edition focuses on buildings that have been retrofitted for contemporary uses. Participants can visit on their own or take part in more than 100 guided tours. (Register the day of the tour at the event headquarters. First come, first served, and many do fill up.) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18. Check the event’s website for times of related family events. Free. 720-865-4309 or denvergov

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