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Mountain States Telephone Building

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1929, William N. Bowman. 14th and Curtis sts.
  • (Photo by Nyttend)

In a Deco Gothic style that the architect called American Perpendicular, this $11 million terracotta-clad tower with stepped-back massing climbs fifteen stories to a parapet with corner turrets. The tallest office building in the city upon completion, it boasted a base of granite from Platte Canyon quarries, brick made in Denver and Golden, terracotta manufactured by the Denver Terra Cotta Company, and structural steel from the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company in Pueblo. The interior has walls of Colorado travertine, and the ornamental wrought iron was made in Denver. The recessed 14th Street lobby, framed in elaborate terracotta surrounds, has a coffered ceiling, travertine walls, revolving doors in wrought iron housings, and murals by Allen True depicting a history of communication starting with Indian smoke signals.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Thomas J. Noel

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