HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.hpc.20070425
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ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday - April 25, 2007
5:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
130 S. GALENA
ASPEN, COLORADO
SITE VISIT: Please site visit all the properties on your own.
Roll call WIu-tl/,5 J Id':?b 9I1~
Approval of minutes - March 28th and April4t minutes
Public Comments
Commission member comments
Disclosure of conflict of interest (actual and apparent)
Project Monitoring
Staff comments: Certificate of No Negative Effect issued
(Next resolution will be #16)
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
A. 300 West Main Street, Show Cause Hearing (open and
continue to May 9th)
IX. NEW BUSINESS
A. 300 W. Main Street, Minor Development Review (open and
continue to June 13th)
B. 408 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen Sports, Minor Development
Review (open and continue to May 23rd)
C. Boomerang - 500 W. Hopkins - Landmark Designation (20
min.) ,uJc..,1I/6;JdC'7
D. 308 E. Hopkins - Major Development Final Review - Public
Hearing (30 min.) /J"r~ q f4
X. WORKSESSIONS
A. Frost Barn 208 E. Hallam Street - FAR Bonus discussion
(30 min.)
IX. ADJOURN 6:30 p.m.
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Provide proof onegal notice (affidavit of notice for PH)
Staff presentation
Applicant presentation
Board questions and clarifications
Public comments (close public comment portion of hearing)
Board comments
Applicant rebuttal (comments)
Motion
No meeting of the HPC shall be called to order without a quorum consisting
of at leastfour (4) members being present. No meeting at which less than a
quorum shall be present shall conduct any business other than to continue
the agenda items to a date certain. All actions shall require the concurring
vote of a simple majority, but in no event less than three (3) concurring votes
of the members of the commission then present and voting.
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PROJECT MONITORING
Jeffrey Halferty 213 W. Bleeker (Schelling)
555/557 Walnut
701 W. Main
314 E. Hyman, Motherlode
930 Matchless
212 W. Hopkins
205 S. Galena
202 N. Monarch
Mike Hoffman 216 E. Hallam (Belford)
308 Park
640 N. Third
435 W. Main Jewish Center
Derek Skalko 501 W. Main Street (Christiana)
. 114 Neale Avenue
2 Williams Way (Hicks)
423 N. 2nd Street
811/819 E. Hopkins (Fellman) wi Sarah
135 W. Hopkins
Sarah Broughton 311 S. First
811/819 E. Hopkins (Fellman) wi Derek
110 E. Bleeker wi Jason
530, 532, 534 E. Hopkins
435 W. Main Jewish Center
Jason Lasser 110 E. Bleeker wi Sarah
334 W. Hallam
Doerr Hosier Center @ Meadows
629 W. Smuggler
Fox Crossing Park
233 W. Main: Innsbruck
Hotel Jerome
Alison Agley 529 W. Francis
205 S. Galena
Brian McNellis 435 W. Main Jewish Center
CONCEPTUAL APPROVALS THAT HAVE NOT GONE TO FINAL REVIEW:
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930 Matchless- (October 26, 2005)
435 W. Main, Aspen Jewish Comm. Center- (August 10, 2005)
Fire station- (February 8, 2006)
332 W. Main- (May 10, 2006)
508 E. Cooper- (July 12, 2006)
308 E. Hopkins- (July 12, 2006)
)X
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Aspen Historic Preservation Commission
FROM:
Amy Guthrie, Historic Preservation Officer
RE:
500 W. Hopkins Avenue- Landmark Designation, Public Hearing
DATE:
April 25, 2007
SUMMARY: The subject property is a 27,000 square foot lot. lt IS developed with the
Boomerang Lodge, which began operation in the 1950's.
The Boomerang Lodge was considered for landmark designation during the 2000 inventory
review. There was HPC support, however concerns raised by private property owners resulted in
all designations being put aside while the City revamped the preservation ordinance. At
Council's direction, staff began an on-going effort to work with the owners of post-war
properties of historical interest to see if addi.t~oE~ larldmarks could be preserved cooperatively,
however owner consent for designation was never required. - -
Staff and HPC have advocated for the preservation of the building, and during City Council
review of a redevelopment plan the following condition was required:
"Prior to filing of the final plat the owner shall initiate the designation of the East Wing of the
Boomerang Lodge for listing on the Aspen Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures. The area
to be designated shall be finalized in conjunction with the Historic Preservation Commission but
shall include that area of the structural east wing along the alley Fourth Street and Hopkins
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Avenue also including the outdoor pool and spa area The designation shall not subject the
remainder of the building to HPC review, "
Approximately 1/3 of the resource is to be landmarked. Staff disagrees with the boundary
proposed by the applicant because it does not appear to include balconies on the front of the
building nor does it fully encompass the landscape and "foreground" surrounding the structure to
be preserved. We have attached a revised proposal in the resolution.
Staff finds that the application, with revision to the boundary, meets the criteria for
designation of a property to the Aspen Inventory of Historic Landmark Sites and Structures,
and recommends HPC make such a finding to City Council.
APPLICANT: Aspen FSP-ABR, LLC, owner, represented by Michael Hoffman, Sunny Vann,
and Reno- Smith LLC.
PARCEL ID: 2735-124-49-002.
.
ADDRESS: 500 W. Hopkins Avenue, Lots K-S, Block 31, City and Townsite of Aspen,
Colorado.
ZONING: R-6, Medium Density Residential with LP/PUD Overlay.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
26.415.030B. Criteria.
To be eligible for designation on the Aspen Inventory of Historic Landmark Sites and Structures,
an individual building, site, structure or object or a collection of buildings, sites, structures or
objects must have a demonstrated quality of significance.
The significance of the portion of the Boomerang Lodge property under consideration for
designation will be evaluated .according to the following criteria:
I. The property was constructed at least forty (40) years prior to the year in which
the application for designation is being made and the property possesses sufficient integrity
of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, and association and is related to one
or more of the following:
a. An event, pattern, or trend that has made a significant contribution
to local, state, regional or national history,
b. People whose specific contributions to local, state, regional or
national history is deemed important and can be identified and
documented,
c. A physical design that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a
type, period or method of construction, or represents the technical
or aesthetic achievements of a recognized designer, craftsman or
design philosophy that is deemed important.
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Staff Response: As detailed in Community Development's research paper on Modernism in
Aspen, Charles Paterson, architect of the Boomerang Lodge, was born Karl Schanzer in Austria
in 1929. His mother died in his youth, and his father fled Austria, taking Charles and his sister
when Hitler invaded in 1938. They traveled first to Czechoslovakia and then to France. Once
there it was decided that the only way to get the two children out of Europe entirely was to allow
them to be adopted by a family in Australia, whom Mr. Schanzer knew through business
connections. Relocated to that country in 1940, the children took on the family's name;
Paterson. Their father fought in the war and was eventually reunited with his children in New
York City, after they immigrated.
In New York City, Charles "Charlie" Paterson started engineering school, but he had an interest
in skiing and was disappointed with the conditions in the area. Hemoved west in 1949, stopping
in Denver. There, he worked for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad and skied on weekends.
On one ski trip, Paterson met someone who had been to Aspen, and decided to hitchhike there a
week later. After finding ajob as a bellhop at the Hotel Jerome, he decided to stay.
Within a month of his arrival in Aspen, Charlie Paterson bought three lots on West Hopkins
Avenue, shortly followed by another three that comprised a full half a block between Fifth and
Sixth Streets. There he built a one-room cabin in 1949 out ofleftover lumber.
Paterson returned to New York from 1950-1951 to continue his studies, then moved back to
Aspen and began expanding the cabin. In 1952, he leased a Victorian house that had been
operating under the name "Holiday House," and his father came to town to help out. This
experience got Paterson interested in running his own lodge, and led to more construction on the
Hopkins Avenue property. In 1956, he added three units and opened the Boomerang. Charlie
Paterson left Aspen in the late 1950's to study at Taliesen East. He retumed and built the East
wing and pool area, his "thesis project," from 1960-61.
The development of the Boomerang Lodge represents a number of local and national trends.
Architecturally the Boomerang Lodge exhibits a recognizable Wrightian style that swept
throughout the country during the mid-twentieth century; and it actively contributes to the
presence of Wrightian-inspired architecture in Aspen along with designs by locals Fritz Benedict
and Robin Molny.
The property is also a classic example of Aspen's original small lodges, accommodations of a
scale and intimacy that is much harder to find today. Created by Europeans who fled World War
II, like Paterson, these facilities personified European warmth and hospitality, and exemplify the
social and architectural history of the community as it began developing into an international ski
resort.
Staff finds that Criterion A is met. Although compliance with just one criterion is enough to
qualify the property for designation, the Boomerang Lodge also meets Criterion C, in that it
represents a physical design that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or
method of construction, or represents the technical or aesthetic achievements of a recognized
designer, craftsman or design philosophy that is deemed important.
The Lodge exhibits many Wrightian derived design concepts described below.
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Then, are specific physical features that a property must possess in order for it to reflect the
significance of the historic context. Aspen's examples of modernist buildings should exhibit the
following distinctive characteristics if influenced by Wrightian design principles:
. Low horizontal proportions, flat roofs or low pitched hip roofs.
. Deep roof overhangs create broad shadow lines across the fayade. Glazing is usually
concentrated in these areas.
. Horizontal emphasis on the composition of the wall planes accentuates the floating effect of
the roof form.
. Materials are usually natural and hand worked; such as rough sawn wood timbers and brick.
Brick is generally used as a base material, wall infill or in an anchoring fireplace element.
Wood structural systems tend more toward heavy timber or post and beam than typical stud
framing.
. Structural members and construction methods are usually expressed in the building. For
example; load-bearing columns may be expressed inside and out, the wall plane is then
created by an infill of glass or brick.
. . Roof structure is often expressed below the roof sheathing
. Glass is used as an infill material which expresses a void or a structural system; or it is used
to accentuate the surface of a wall through pattern or repetition.
. There is typically no trim which isolates the glazing from the wall plane. Window
openings are trimmed out to match adjacent structural members in a wood context. Brick
openings tend to be deeply set with no trim other than the brick return.
. Structures are related to the environment through battered foundation walls, cantilevered
floors and/or porches, clear areas of glazing which create visual connections to the outside
and the inside, and the effect of the roof plane hovering over the ground.
. Decoration comes out of the detailing of the primary materials and the construction
techniques. No applied decorative elements are used.
. Color is usually related to the natural colors of materials for the majority of the structure;
natural brick, dark stained wood, and white stucco. Accent colors are used minimally, and to
accentuate the horizontal lines of the structure.
. The East wing of the building features board formed concrete walls, a flat roof, strong horizontal
balconies, mitred windows, large overhangs with exposed roof structure, typical Wrightian color
scheme, etc. Similar concepts are carried through the pool area.
Charlie Paterson studied at Taliesen East from 1957-1959. Frank Lloyd Wright died during the
last few months of Paterson's tenure at the school. While he was part of Taliesen, projects "on
the boards" in the studio included such famed buildings as the Marin County Civic Center and
the Guggenheim Museum.
Staff finds that the Boomerang Lodge is directly connected to an architectural movement of
world wide importance and meets designation Criterion C.
Although this style was at one time more common in Aspen, there are only approximately 50
properties that staff would categorize as eligible for designation within the context of Aspen's
modernist architecture. This amounts to 2% of the parcels in town. Of the roughly 50 eligible
sites, 12 have actually been designated, so clearly very little of this important aspect of our local
history has been ensured to exist into the future. In staff's opinion, the Boomerang Lodge is one
of the best examples ofthe design philosophies and cultural history of the period.
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The Boomerang Lodge meets two of the three designation criteria, which leaves the question of
integrity to be evaluated. Integrity can be measured through the scoring system that HPC has
developed, however this is an unusual circumstance in that only part of the building is being
retained. Staff has spoken to Charlie Paterson and determined that the eastern area of the property
is unaltered from the original design, other than the slight relocation of an exterior door in the
pool area. There is a high degree of architectural integrity.
Staff supports landmark designation for this property finding that the review criteria are met.
HPC may recommend approval or disapproval of the landmark request, or a continuance for
additional information necessary to make a decision. The commission may choose to accept the
integrity analysis provided by staff or formulate its own rating for the property.
DECISION MAKING OPTIONS:
The HPC may:
. approve the application,
. approve the application with conditions,
. disapprove the application, or
. continue the application to a date certain to obtain additional information necessary
to make a decision to approve or deny.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff finds that designation "Criterion A" and "Criterion C" are met
and that the property meets the architectural integrity requirements.
Staff recommends that HPC support landmark designation for 500 W. Hopkins Avenue, Lots K-
S, Block 31, City and Townsite of Aspen, Colorado, but recommends that the boundary area be
revised as represented in the resolution.
Exhibits:
Resolution #_, Series of2007
A. Application.
B. Aspen's 20th Century Architecture: Modernism- a paper written by the Community
Development Department.
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A RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC)
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF HISTORIC DESIGNATION FOR A PORTION OF
THE BOOMERANG LODGE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 500 W. HOPKINS AVENUE,
LOTS K-S, BLOCK 31, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, COLORADO.
RESOLUTION NO. _, SERIES OF 2007
PARCEL ID: 2735-124-49-002
WHEREAS, the applicant, Aspen FSP-ABR, LLC, owner, represented by Michael Hoffman,
Sunny Vann, and Reno- Smith LLC, has initiated Historic Designation review for a portion of the
property located at 500 W. Hopkins Avenue, Lots K-S, Block 31, City and Townsite of Aspen,
Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Section 26.415.050 of the Aspen Municipal CQde establishes the process for
Designation and states that an application for listing on the Aspen Inventory of Historic
Landmark Sites and Structures shall be approved if City Council, after a recommendation from
HPC, determines sufficient evidence exists that the property meets the criteria; and
WHEREAS, Amy Guthrie, in her HPC staff report dated April 25, 2007, performed an analysis
of the application based on the standards, found that the review standards had been met, and
recommended approval; and
WHEREAS, at their regular meeting on April 25, 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission
considered the application, found the application was consistent with the review standards and
recommended approval by a vote of _ to _'
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That HPC hereby recommends Council approve Historic Designation for a portion of the
Boomerang Lodge property, 500 W. Hopkins Avenue, Lots K-S, Block 31, City and Townsite of
Aspen, Colorado, as represented on "Exhibit A."
APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION at its regular meeting on the 25th day of April,
2007.
Approved as to Form:
David Hoefer, Assistant City Attorney
Approved as to content:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Jeffrey Halferty, Chair
ATTEST:
Kathy Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
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ASPEN'S 20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE:
MODERNISM
The Modernist Movement
Modernism as a style of architecture describes the works that were produced
beginning in the 20th century as a result of a clear philosophical shift in design practices
and attitudes, and incredible changes in building technology. The roots of this style can
be attributed in great part to the Industrial Revolution, which led to dramatic social
changes, and an inclination to react against all that had come before. In addition there
was a new abundance of raw materials, including bricks, timber, and glass; and stronger
materials, particularly metals, which allowed structural innovations.
Initially, the modern technologies were employed in ways that reflected much of
the preference for decoration and organic design that had preceded the 20th century, for
instance in the Arts and Crafts Style of the 1920's and the influential designs of Frank
Lloyd Wright. As the century progressed, however, the demands of the automobile, and
the need for buildings to serve uses previously unknown, such as airports, led to the
search for a new architectural vocabulary. The streamlined and austere became more
relevant. "Functionalism" and "Rationalism" were terms used to describe architectural
philosophies related to this period. "Modern building codes had replaced rules of
thumb.'"
"Architecture was seen primarily as volume and not mass. So the stress was on the
continuous, unmodulated wall surface- long ribbon windows without frames, cut right
into the wall plane, horizontally or vertically disposed; flush joints; flat roofs. Corners
were not made prominent. Technically, the argument went, materials like steel and
reinforced concrete had rendered conventional construction- and with it cornices, pitched
roofs, and emphatic corners-obsolete. There would be no applied ornament anywhere,
inside or out...A house was a machine made for living Le Corbusier provocatively
declared in 1923 in his Towards a New Architecture, which has proved the most
influential book on architecture in this (the 20th) century.,,2
Modernism in Aspen
The period between the Silver Crash in 1893 and the end of
World War II saw little new construction in Aspen. This changed
when interest began to grow in developing a major ski resort, and
when Walter Paepcke envisioned the town as the ideal setting for a
community of intellect, cultural institutions, and pristine natural
environment. As a result of this renaissance taking place, many
Walter PaeDcke
] Robert Frankeberger, and James Garrison, "From Rustic Romanticism to Modernism, and Beyond:
Architectural Resources in the National Parks," Forum Journal. The Journal of the National Trust for
Historic Preservation Summer 2002, p. 16.
2 Spiro Kostof, A Historv of Architecture: Settings and Rituals, (New York:Oxford University Press, 1985),
p.701.
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important architects were drawn to live and work here and left an imprint of the
philosophies of the modernist period on the town. The two masters who had the largest
influence on Aspen, Fritz Benedict and Herbert Bayer, are discussed at length in this
paper, along with a number of others who completed notable works here.
FRITZ BENEDICT
Frederic "Fritz" Benedict (b. 1914- Medford, Wisconsin,
d. 1995- Aspen, Colorado) was the first trained architect to arrive
in Aspen at the end of World War II. Benedict had earned a
Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Landscape
Architecture at the University of Wisconsin before being invited
to Frank Lloyd Wright's school, Taliesen, in Spring Green,
Wisconsin in 1938. Initially, Benedict's role at Taliesen was as
head gardener, but his interest in Wright's philosophy of the
integration of architecture and landscape led him to study design
at both Taliesen and Taliesen West in Phoenix, Arizona for the
next three years.
Fritz Benedict
Benedict, an avid skier, first visited Aspen as a participant in the National Skiing
Championships held here in 194 I, apparently told of the charms of the town by Frank
Mechau, an artist whom he met at Taliesen and who resided in Redstone, Colorado. In
1942, Benedict was drafted to serve with the 10th Mountain Division troops, an elite
group of skiers who trained at Camp Hale, north of Leadville, Colorado. On weekends,
the soldiers would often travel to Aspen for recreational skiing.
Benedict saw active duty in Italy and served with the 10th Mountain Division until
the end of the war in 1945. He retumed to Aspen and purchased a ranch at the top of Red
Mountain, focusing on operating the property as his livelihood for some time. According
to Benedict, "The place (Aspen) was so dead and was starting to be a resort so slowly that
there wasn't much to do in the way of design.,,3
This situation changed for good after 1946, when noted artist Herbert Bayer
arrived in Aspen with Walter Paepcke, and the duo's plans for the town brought more
people and a new period of construction. Through Herbert Bayer, Fritz met his future
wife, Fabienne, the sister of Bayer's wife loella. Fabi persuaded Fritz to quit ranching
and pursue architecture, which he did after being awarded a license under a grandfather
clause that allowed architects to be licensed based on experience, rather than on testing.
Benedict was known for setting buildings into the landscape in an unobtrusive and
harmonious way, clearly derived from his landscape architecture education and the
influence of Frank Lloyd Wright. He placed a high priority on creating an intimate
relationship between a house and its garden. Benedict was a pioneer of passive solar and
3 Adele Dusenbury, "When the Architect Arrived After the War," The Asoen Times July 31, 1975,
p. I-B.
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earth shelter design. He experimented with car-free village design, sod roofed structures,
and solar buildings. His master work, the
Edmundson Waterfall house, which was
strongly related to Frank Lloyd Wright's
Fallingwater, exhibited many of these qualities
and all of the central characteristics of
Wrightian design, including a low pitched roof,
strong horizontal emphasis of the structure, and
the use of mitred windows at building comers.
The most important of Benedict's works may
best be defined by the examples that clearly
represent Wrightian ideas, or where innovation
was key. Waterfall House, on Castle Creek
Road, Pitkin County, 1960
Benedict's earliest projects in Aspen were
residences. In collaboration with his brother-in-
law, Herbert Bayer, he also helped to design the
buildings of the Aspen Institute, the intellectual
center of Paepcke's facilities. Other known works
by Benedict include the cabin at 835 W. Main
Street (1947), the John P. Marquand studio on Lake
Avenue (1950, since demolished), the Copper
Kettle (1954, 845 Meadows Road), Bank of Aspen
(1956, II9 S. Mill Street), 625 and 615 Gillespie
Avenue (1957), the original Pitkin County Library
(1960, 120 E. Main Street), the Aspen Alps (1963,
777 Ute Avenue- the first luxury condominiums in
the Rocky Mountains), the Bidwell Building, (1965, 434 E. Cooper Avenue), Aspen
Square (1969, 617 E. Cooper Avenue), The Gant (1972, 610 S. West End Street), the
Benedict Building (1976,1280 Ute Avenue), the Aspen Club Townhouses (1976, Crystal
Lake Road), and Pitkin County Bank (1978, 534 E. Hyman Avenue) In total, Benedict
designed and renovated over 200 homes and buildings in Aspen and Snowmass.4
434 E. Cooper Avenue, 1965
835 W Main Street. 1947
4 Mary Eshbaugh Hayes. Dedication plaque on "The Benedict Suite," Little Nell Hotel, Aspen, Colorado.
The Copper Kettle, 1954
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Benedict's works in Pitkin County, outside of Aspen's city limits, include two personal
residences, the Waterfall house (1960, since demolished), the Aspen Music School
campus, and the Aspen Highlands base lodge (since demolished). Benedict also did the
master plan for Snowmass (1967), Vail (1962) and Breckenridge (1971.)
Fritz Benedict was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute
of Architects in 1985, by election of his peers. This is a lifetime honor bestowed on
registered architects who have made outstanding contributions to the profession, and only
5% of the profession receive this honor. The nomination submitted stated that "Frederic
'Fritz' Benedict left a legendary influence on design and construction in the Rocky
Mountain West...(creating) classics of the mountain vemacular."s He was given the
Greg Mace Award in 1987 for epitomizing the spirit of the Aspen community, was
inducted into the Aspen Hall of Fame in I 988 and the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in
1995, and was given the "Welton Anderson" award for his contribution to Aspen's built
environment by the Aspen Historic Preservation Commission in 1993. In all cases
Benedict was recognized for being a pioneer of Aspen's rebirth as a resort community.
Many quotes from his memorial service in I 995 attest to the community's respect for his
role in Aspen's history. Bob Maynard, former president of the Aspen Skiing Company
stated "Aspen was fortunate fifty years ago to be wakened from her sleep by visionaries.
The trio of Benedict, Bayer, and Paepcke combined dreams and hope and reality uniquely
to restore a community ravaged by mining, trapped in poverty- yet willing to follow the
dreamers.,,6 Similarly, the Aspen Times stated at his death, "Along with the late Walter
and Elizabeth Paepcke and his Bauhaus trained brother-in-law Herbert Bayer, all of
whom came to Aspen with a rare vision in the traumatic wake of World War II, Benedict
was one of the fathers of modern Aspen, a man whose architecture not only helped shape
the city aesthetic, but whose personal commitment to the original dream of a special
'Aspen Ideal' made him the guarantor of the city's very soul.,,7 Local resident and fellow
student of Taliesen, Charles Paterson stated, "Whatever he was building was one jump
ahead. ,,8
Aside from his architectural contributions, Benedict influenced the Aspen
environment in several other ways. Benedict and his wife donated more than 250 acres
of land within Pitkin County for open space. He was the father of the lOth Mountain Hut
system (established in 1980), and served as the first chairman of Aspen's Planning and
Zoning Commission, developing height and density controls for the City, open space
preservation, a City parks system, a sign code, and a ban on billboards. He played a
significant role in the founding of the Aspen Institute, and the International Design
Conference. He served on the board ofthe Music Associates of Aspen for 35 years.
5 Joanne Ditmer, The Denver Post, as reprinted in the program for the Fritz Benedict Memorial Service.
6 Robert A. Maynard, Remarks given at Fritz Benedict's Memorial Service.
7 Mary Eshbaugh Hayes, "Fritz Benedict, 1914-1995: The Passing of a Local Legend," The Asoen Times
July 15 and 16, 1995, cover page.
. Charles Paterson, Remarks given at Fritz Benedict's Memorial Service.
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HERBERT BAYER
Herbert Bayer (b. 1900- Austria, d. 1985- Santa Barbara, California)" was an artist
of many disciplines. He apprenticed with architects in his native country Austria, and in
Germany, starting at the age of 18. In 1921 he entered the most reknowned art and
design school of the 20th century, the Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany.
The Bauhaus, which existed from 1919 to
1933, was begun in a spirit of social reform and
represented a rejection of many design ideas that
preceded it. "From skyscrapers to doorknobs,
modern design was born, really, at the Bauhaus. The
ideas of the Bauhaus shaped whole cities, changed
architecture, modified the nature of furniture design
and transformed the essential implements of daily
life." 9 Bayer was named the head of the typography
workshop at the Bauhaus in 1925 and was ultimately
one of three masters named by director Walter
Gropius, the other two masters being the gifted Josef
Albers and Marcel Breuer. In 1928, Bayer left the school and established his own studio
in Berlin, then becoming the art director for Vogue magazine.
Herbert Bayer
As Nazism gained strength in Germany, Bayer fled the country and immigrated to
New York City in 1938. There, he had his first show with the Museum of Modern Art,
and began to work as art director for corporations and ad agencies. By 1946, all of his
work was for Walter Paepcke at the Container Corporation of America and Robert O.
Anderson at the Atlantic Richfield Corporation, both of whom had an interest in Aspen
and the establishment of the Aspen Institute.
Walter Paepcke brought Herbert Bayer to Aspen in 1946 to serve as the design
consultant for the Institute, a role in which he served until 1976. Bayer was offered the
chance to design a planned environment, where the goal was total visual integration.
The Sundeck. 1946
on the grounds), Aspen Meadows
On April I, 1960, Bayer received a
license to practice architecture in Colorado,
without examination. He had no formal training
in the discipline, so he generally worked
in association with another firm, particularly
with Fritz Benedict. The Sundeck on Aspen
Mountain (1946, since demolished) was the first
of his designs that was ever built. At the
Institute, Bayer designed the Seminar Building
and it's sgraffito mural (1952, the first building
Guest Chalets (1954, since demolished and
9 Beth Dunlop, "Bauhaus' Influence Exceeds It's Life," The Denver Post April 20, 1986.
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reconstructed), Central Building (1954), the
Health Center (1955), Grass Mound (1955,
which pre-dates the "earthwork" movement
in landscape design by 10 years and was one
of the first
environmental sculptures in the country), the
Marble Sculpture Garden (1955), Walter
Paepcke Memorial Building (1962), the
Institute for Theoretical Physics Building
(1962, since demolished), Concert Tent
(1964, removed in 2000), and Anderson
Park (c. 1970.) Bayer also led the design for the
rehabilitation of the Wheeler Opera House
(1950-1960), designed two personal residences
on Red Mountain (1950 and 1959), and other
homes in Aspen, including those still in
existence at 240 Lake Avenue (1957) and 311
North Street (1963).
Aspen Institute Seminar Building, 1952
Aspen Meadows Health Center, 1955
The period during which most of
Bayer's architecture was designed is confined
to 1946-1965. Important characteristics of his
buildings were simplicity and the use of basic
geometrical shapes and pared down forms. He
was heavily influenced by Bauhaus and
The Marble Sculpture Garden, 1955 International Style principles. Color was an
important component to some of his work, and
he often used primary red, blue and yellow graphics.
Bayer paint scheme
Bayer believed in the concept of designing the total
human environment and that art should be incorporated into
all areas of life. He drew logos and posters for the Aspen
Skiing Company, and even designed signs for small Aspen
businesses. He provided the paint color schemes for certain
Victorians that Paepcke's Aspen Company decided should
be saved in the 1940's. A strong blue color, known locally
as "Bayer Blue" was one of his selections and can still be
seen on the former Elli's building (101 S. Mill) and other
locations in town. His choice of a bright pink for Pioneer
Park (442 W. Bleeker) and a bold paint scheme that once
existed on the Hotel Jerome will also be remembered.
P18
Bayer spent 28 years living in Aspen and was one of the first artists to make his
home here. A Rocky Mountain News article from 1955 stated "Even in competition with
millionaire tycoons, best-selling novelists, and top-ranking musicians, Herbert Bayer is
Aspen's most world-famous resident."1O During his years in Aspen, he resided at times at
234 W. Francis, a Victorian home in the West End, in an apartment in a downtown
commercial building, 501 E. Cooper Avenue, and in his home on Red Mountain. Bayer
moved to Santa Barbara for health reasons in 1975 and died there ten years later, the last
surviving Bauhaus master.
Notable among Bayer's many achievements include his credits in
typography. He designed the "universal" type font in 1925 and was
credited with "liberating typography and design in advertising and
creating the very look of advertising we take for granted today.,,11 Much
of modern print design reflects his ideas. He was the inventor of
photomontage. Bayer created the "World Geo-Graphic Atlas" in 1953,
which was described as one of the most beautiful books ever printed in
this country by the Atlantic Monthly and the greatest world atlas ever Poster. 1946
made in the United States by Publisher's Weekly.
Bayer created the famed "Great Ideas of Western Man" advertisement series for
the Container Corporation of America and had more than 50 one-man exhibitions of his
artistic works. His paintings are represented in the collections of at least 40 museums.
He spent six decades of his life working as a painter, photographer, typographer,
architect, sculptor, designer of graphics, exhibitions, and landscapes. His last work was
the 85 foot tall, yellow articulated wall sculpture at the Denver Design Center, which can
be viewed from 1-25, near Broadway in Denver.
Bayer founded the International Design Conference in Aspen in 1950 and was
named a Trustee of the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies in 1953. He was the Chair
of the City and County Zoning Committee for five years and was very concerned with the
issues of sprawl. Bayer promoted increased density in town, put the original tree
protection ordinance in place, and helped institute the ban on billboards.
ARCIDTECTS OF NOTE
Charles Paterson was born Karl Schanzer in Austria in 1929. His mother died in
his youth, and his father fled Austria, taking Charles and his sister when Hitler invaded in
1938. They traveled first to Czechoslovakia and then to France. Once there it was
decided that the only way to get the two children out of Europe entirely was to allow
10 Robert L. Perkin, "Aspen Reborn: Herbert Bayer Changing the Town's Face," The Rockv Mountain
News September 27, 1955.
II Joanne Ditmer, "Schlosser Gallery Host to Major Bayer Show/Sale," The Denver Post October 1, 1997,
p. lOG.
P19
them to be adopted by a family in Australia, whom Mr. Schanzer knew through business
connections. Relocated to that country in 1940, the children took on the family's name;
Paterson. Their father fought in the war and was eventually reunited with his children in
New York City, after they immigrated.
In New York City, Charles "Charlie" Paterson started engineering school, but he
had an interest in skiing and was disappointed with the conditions in the area. He moved
west in 1949, stopping in Denver. There, he worked for the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad and skied on weekends. On one ski trip, Paterson met someone who had been to
Aspen, and decided to hitchhike there a week later. After finding a job as a bellhop at the
Hotel Jerome, he decided to stay.
Within a month of his arrival in Aspen, Charlie Paterson bought three lots on
West Hopkins Avenue, shortly followed by another three that comprised a full half a
block between Fifth and Sixth Streets. There he built a one-room cabin in 1949 out of
leftover lumber.
Paterson returned to New York from 1950- I 951 to continue his studies, lpen
moved back to Aspen and began expanding the cabin. In 1952, he leased a Victorian
house that had been operating under the name "Holiday House," and his father came to
town to help out. This experience got Paterson interested in running his own lodge, and
led to more construction on the Hopkins Avenue property. In 1956, he added three units
and opened the Boomerang. Convinced by Fritz Benedict to study architecture, Paterson
left again to spend three years at Taliesen East in Wisconsin, under Frank Lloyd Wright's
instruction, during which time he drew some of the plans for the Boomerang Lodge as it
is known today.
The lodge's lounge, 12 more rooms, and a pool were added in 1960. The noted
underwater window, which allows guests in the lounge to look into the pool, was featured
in Life Magazine in the 1960's. In 1965 and 1970 other expansions took place on the
property.
Although Paterson has designed relatively
few buildings, among them his own business,
structures at the Christiania Lodge, and a residence
in Basalt, the Boomerang is his master work,
exhibiting strong influences of Wrightian
architecture. Paterson designed, helped to build,
and financed the structure, and is still its host and
manager today. It has been described as
'''...timeless, ageless" and "...almost futuristic.,,12
Boomerang Lodge
Other contributions to local organizations
made by Paterson include being a member of the
12 Scott Dial, "The Boomerang Lodge: The Lodge That Charlie Built, and Built, and Built," Destination
Mae:azine.
P20
Board of the Music Associates of Aspen for 20 years, Chairman of the Aspen Hall of
Fame for 2 years and of the Aspen Board of Adjustment for 20 years and counting. He
has also served on the Aspen Chamber Resort Association Board of Directors. Paterson
worked for the Aspen Skiing Company as an instructor from 1952 to 1969.
Eleanor "Ellie" Brickham graduated from the University of Colorado's School
of Architecture. Construction was a family business, so Brickham's motivation to be a
designer began as a child. She moved to Aspen in 195 I, attracted by the skiing, but once
there, found herself the only female architect in town.
Early in her career, Brickham worked in Fritz Benedict's office and collaborated
on projects with both Benedict and Bayer, participating in the work going on at the Aspen
Institute. During her time in that office, and later
with her own firm, she designed a number of
residences and commercial structures in town,
including houses for several Music Festival artists
in Aspen Grove, the Strandberg Residence (1973,
433 W. Bleeker Street), and the Patricia Moore
Building (1969, 610 E. Hyman Avenue.) Within
Pitkin County, Brickham designed numerous
homes in Starwood, on Red Mountain, and in
Pitkin Green. Her works total at least 50
buildings in the Aspen area.
433 W Bleeker Street, 1973
Brickham's designs have been characterized by spare, simple forms and detailing,
and she has an interest in passive solar techniques. Still practicing today, Brickham' s
projects focus on an "impeccable sense of proportion and feeling oflightness.,,13
Victor Lundy designed a second home for
his family in Aspen, which they have occupied at
300 Lake Avenue since 1972. Like Benedict,
Lundy is a Fellow in the American Institute of
Architects. He received his degree in architecture
from Harvard, studying with former Bauhaus
director Walter Gropius and Bauhaus master Marcel
Breuer and was later awarded two prestigious
traveling scholarships by the Boston Society of
Architects and Harvard University.
300 Lake Avenue. 1972
Lundy has been in practice, most recently in Texas, since 195 I and has designed
many notable government, commercial, office, and educational buildings throughout the
world. He has received a Federal Design Achievement award, the highest honor in
design given by the National Endowment for the Arts.
.
13 Bill Rollins, "Brickham: Simplicity, Lightness, and a Sense of Proportion," The Asoen Times.
P21
Robin Molnv (b.l928- Cleveland, d. 1997- Aspen) apprenticed at Taliesen in the
1950's. In Aspen, he served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and was the
designer of Aspen's downtown pedestrian malls. He also designed several notable
commercial buildings, including the Hearthstone House (1967, 134 E. Hyman Avenue)
and the 720 E. Hyman Avenue building (1976) along with area residences.
Well known architect Harrv Weese also
contributed a building to Aspen in the Given Institute
(1973, 100 E. Francis Street). Weese, of Harry Weese
and Associates, Chicago, was an internationally known
architect responsible for a number of significant projects
throughout the United States, including major historic
preservation projects in the Chicago area, and the design
of the Washington, D.C. subway system. A graduate of
MIT, he studied with famed architect EJiel Saarinen at
Cranbrook Academy in Michigan, and then joined 100 E. Francis Street. 1973
Skidmore, Owing, and Merrill for a short time. In 1947 he opened his own office.
Weese was recruited by the Paepcke's, who donated the land where the Given is located,
to design the building.
Eligibility Considerations
There are specific physical features that a property must possess in order for it to
reflect the significance of the historic context. Aspen's examples of modernist buildings
should exhibit the following distinctive characteristics if influenced by Wrightian design
principles:
. Low horizontal proportions, flat roofs or low pitched hip roofs.
. Deep roof overhangs create broad shadow lines across the fal(ade. Glazing is usually
concentrated in these areas. .
Horizontal emphasis on the composition of the wall planes accentuates the floating
effect ofthe roofform.
. Materials are usually natural and hand worked; such as rough sawn wood timbers and
brick. Brick is generally used as a base material, wall infill or in an anchoring
fireplace element. Wood structural systems tend more toward heavy timber or post
and beam than typical stud framing.
. Structural members and construction methods are usually expressed in the building.
For example; load-bearing columns may be expressed inside and out, the wall plane is
then created by an infill of glass or brick.
. Roof structure is often expressed below the roof sheathing
. Glass is used as an infill material which expresses a void or a structural system; or it is
used to accentuate the surface of a wall through pattern or repetition.
. There is typically no trim which isolates the glazing from the wall plane. Window
openings are trimmed out to match adjacent structural members in a wood context.
Brick openings tend to be deeply set with no trim other than the brick return.
P22
. Structures are related to the environment through battered foundation walls,
cantilevered floors and/or porches, clear areas of glazing which create visual
connections to the outside and the inside, and the effect of the roof plane hovering
over the ground.
. Decoration comes out of the detailing of the primary materials and the construction
techniques. No applied decorative elements are used.
. Color is usually related to the natural colors of materials for the majority of the
structure; natural brick, dark stained wood, and white stucco. Accent colors are used
minimally, and to accentuate the horizontal lines of the structure.
Aspen's examples of modernist buildings should exhibit the following distinctive
characteristics if influenced by Bauhaus or International Style design principles:
. Simple geometric forms, both in plan and elevation
. Flat roofs, usually single story, otherwise proportions are long and low, horizontal
lines are emphasized.
. Asymmetrical arrangement of element~.
. Windows are treated as slots in the wall surface, either vertically or horizontally.
Window divisions were made based on the expression ofthe overall idea ofthe
building.
. Detailing is reduced to composition of elements instead of decorative effects. No
decorative elements are used.
. Design is focused on rationality, reduction, and composition. It is meant to separate
itselffrom style and sentimentality.
. Materials are generally manufactured and standardized. The "hand" is removed from
the visual outcome of construction. Surfaces are smooth with minimal or no detail at
window jambs, grade, and at the roof edge.
. Entry is generally marked by a void in the wall, a cantilever screen element, or other
architectural clue that directs the person into the composition.
. Buildings are connected to nature through the use of courtyards, wall elements that
extend into the landscape, and areas of glazing that allow a visual connection to the
natural environment. This style relies on the contrast between the machine made
structure and the natural landscape to heighten the experience of both elements.
. Schemes are monochromatic, using neutral colors, generally grays. Secondary color
is used to reinforce a formal idea. In this case color, or lack there of, is significant to
the reading of the architectural idea.
Although modernism has likely changed the course of architecture forever, it is
possible to set a date when the style in its purest form began to wane: around the mid
1960's nationally, and into the early 1970's in Aspen. At this point, there was a growing
unease with some ways the Modern Movement had reshaped cities and resulted in
"towers and slab blocks,,14 followed by a move away from the design principals that had
guided the mid-century. The period of historic significance for buildings of this style in
14 Kostof, p, 743.
P23
Aspen, a term used to define the time span during which the style gained architectural,
historical, or geographical importance, is 1945 until approximately 1975.
Aspen has been fortunate to have drawn the talents of the great minds in many
professional fields since the end of World War II. The architects described above had
made important contributions to Aspen's built environment that continue to influence its
character today. While there are numerous towns in Colorado that have retained some of
the character of their 19th century mining heritage, few or none are also emiched by such
an excellent collection of modernist buildings as exist here.
P24
Bibliography
Chanzit, Gwen F.
Gallerv/Paepcke
December 2000.
"Herbert Bayer and Aspen," Exhibition Notes, Adelson
Building, Aspen Institute, Aspen, Colorado, December 1999-
Cohen, Arthur Allen. Herbert Baver- Limited Edition: The Complete Works. MIT Press,
1984.
Dial, Scott. "The Boomerang Lodge: The Lodge that Charlie Built, and Built, and Built,"
Destination Magazine.
Ditmer, Joanne. "Schlosser Gallery Host to Major Bayer Show/Sale." The Denver Post.
October I, 1997.
Dunlop, Beth. "Bauhaus' Influence Exceeds Its Life," The Denver Post April 20, 1986.
Dusenbury, Adele. "When the Architect Arrived After the War," The Aspen Times July
3 1,1975.
Frankeberger, Robert and James Garrison. "From Rustic Romanticism to Modernism,
and Beyond: Architectural Resources in the National Parks," Forum Journal. The
Journal of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Sununer 2002.
"Fritz Benedict." Retrieved from http://www.vailsoft.com/museum/index.html. the
Colorado Ski Museum and Ski Hall of Fame website.
"Fritz Benedict Honored by Peer Group of Architects." The Aspen Times June 20, 1985.
Fritz Benedict Memorial Service Program, July 25, 1995.
"Harry (Mohr) Weese." Retrieved from www.artnet.com.
Hayes, Mary Eshbaugh. "Bendict's House in the Hill," The Aspen Times March I I,
1982.
Hayes, Mary Eshbaugh. Dedication plaque on "The Benedict Suite," Little Nell Hotel,
Aspen, Colorado.
Hayes, Mary Eshbaugh. "Fritz Benedict, 1914-1995, The Passing of a Local Legend,"
The Aspen Times July IS and 16, 1995.
Kostof, Spiro. A Historv of Architecture: Settings and Rituals. New York: Oxford
University Press, 1985.
P25
Laverty, Rob. "50 Years of Benedict: A Forefather of Modern Aspen Looks At What Has
Been Wrought," High Country Real Estate. Aspen Dailv News February 6- I 2, 1999.
"Noted Designer Herbert Bayer Dies." The Aspen Times October 3, 1985.
Perkin, Robert 1. "Aspen Reborn: Herbert Bayer Changing the Town's Face," Rockv
Mountain News September 27, 1955.
Rollins, Bill. "Brickham: Simplicity, Lightness, and a Sense of Proportion," The Aspen
Times December 22, 1977.
"Transitions: Robin Molny Changed Aspen- and Made His Friends Laugh," Aspen
Times, January IO-Il, 1998.
Urquhart, Janet. "Histo~ Richochets Through the Boomerang," The Aspen Times
November 16th and 17t , 1996.
P26
1:[;)
P27
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Aspen Historic Preservation Commission
THRU:
Amy Guthrie, Historic Preservation Officer
FROM:
Sara Adams, Historic Preservation Planner
RE:
308 E. Hopkins Avenue- Major Development Review (Final)- Public Hearing
DATE:
April 25, 2007
SUMMARY: The applicant proposes to demolish and replace a structure which was once listed
on the historic inventory, but has been removed due to a loss of integrity. The property is located
within the Commercial Core Historic District; therefore, HPC has purview over the
redevelopment of the parcel.
HPC granted approval for Major Development Conceptual, Commercial Design Standard
Review, Demolition and Viewplane exemption for a 3 foot 3 inch intrusion int<l the Hotel Jerome
Viewplane. The applicant requests Major Development Final approval from HPC.
Staff finds that the Historic Preservation Design Guidelines are met, and recommends that HPC
grant Final approval for the redevelopment of 308 East Hopkins A venue with conditions.
APPLICANT: JW Venture LLC, represented by Sunny Vann and Charles Cunniffe Architects.
PARCEL ID: 2737-073"29-007.
ADDRESS: 308 E. Hopkins, Lots M and N, Block 80, City and Townsite of Aspen.
ZONING: CC, Commercial Core.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT (FINAL)
The procedure for a Major Development Review, at the Final level, is as follows. Staff reviews
the submiUal materials and prepares a report that analyzes the project's conformance with the
design guidelines and other applicable Land Use Code Sections. This report is transmiUed to
the HPC with relevant information on the proposed project and a recommendation to
continue, approve, disapprove or approve with conditions and the reasonS for the
recommendation. The HPC will review the application, the staff analysis report and the
evidence presented at the hearing to determine the project's conformance with the City of
Aspen Historic Preservation Design Guidelines. The HPC may approve, disapprove, approve
with conditions, or continue the application to obtain additional information necessary to
make a decision to approve or deny.
I
P28
Major Development is a two-step process requiring approval by the HPC of a Conceptual
Development Plan, and then a Final Development Plan. Approval of a Conceptual
Development Plan shall be binding upon HPC in regards to the location and form of the
envelope of the structure(s) and/or addition(s) as depicted in the Conceptual Plan application
including its height, scale, massing and proportions. No changes will be made to this aspect of
the proposed development by the HPC as part of their review of the Final Development Plan
unless agreed to by the applicant.
Desil!:n Guideline review
Final review deals with details such as the landscape piau, lighting, fenestration, and selection
of new materials. A list of the relevant design guidelines is attached as "Exhibit A." Only those
which staff finds warrant discussion are included in the memo.
Landscape plan: The proposed mixed use redevelopment in the Commercial Core Historic
District, with zero foot setbacks, is not conducive to a permanent landscape plan. Staff
recommends that the applicant use planter boxeslpots with seasonal plants to soften the ground
level dining areas and create pedestrian interest.
.
Lighting: An extensive lighting plan and light fixtures are included in the application. Staff
finds that the linear lighting proposed beneath all of the railings is inappropriate, and does not
meet lighting requirements in the Land Use Code (Section 26.575.150(1)(5)).
The proposed lighting fixtures are appropriate for the contemporary fayade and meet Guideline
14.7 below. Staff recommends that the applicant check with the Zoning Officer regarding
compliance with the Lighting Ordinance.
14.7 Minimize the visual impacts of site and architectural lighting.
o Unshielded, high intensity light sources and those which direct light upward will not be
permitted.
o Shield lighting associated with service areas, parking lots and parking structures.
o Timers or activity switches may be required to prevent unnecessary sources of light by
controlling the length of time that exterior lights are in use late at night.
o Do not wash an entire building facade in light.
o Avoid placing exposed light fixtures in highly visible locations, such as on the upper walls of
buildings.
o Avoid duplicating fixtures. For example, do not use two fixtures that light the same area.
Fenestration: Staff finds that the proposed fenestration meets the Design Guidelines 11.9, 11.10,
and 13. I 8 below through the use of traditional vertical windows on the second floor combined
with contemporary glazing on the ground and third floors.
2
P29
11.9 Use building components that are similar in size and shape to those of the historic
property.
o These include windows, doors and porches.
o Overall, details should be modest in character.
11.10 The imitation of older historic styles is discouraged.
o This blurs the distinction between old and new buildings.
o Highly complex and ornately detailed revival styles that were not a part of Aspen's history are
especially discouraged on historic sites.
13.18 Maintain the repetition of similar shapes and details along the block.
o Upper story windows should have a vertical emphasis. In general, they should be twice as tall
as they are wide.
o Headers and sills of windows on new buildings should maintain the traditional placement
relative to cornices and belt courses.
The fenestration proposed for the street level, restaurant space, is operable with a fixed transom
window. Staff is in favor of the operable windows and finds that the proposal will positively
contribute to the pedestrian experience.
Materials: Brick is the primary building material proposed for the street elevation, which mirror
the Mill Street Plaza building across Hopkins Avenue. A horizontal wood railing is proposed for
the second floor balcony that accesses the free market unit, and sandstone coping and lintels are
proposed for the upper floors. The applicant proposes brick with sandstone coping for the
ground level enclosed restaurant space, and a simple metal railing in front of the outdoor dining
space along Hopkins Avenue.
Staff finds that the materials proposed are consistent with the Commercial Core and Guideline
I I .8 below; however Staff recommends that the applicant replace the wood "false-front" railing
on the second floor balcony with a different material that better relates to the contemporary
project. Generally, new construction in a historic district should be simple and modest in
character. Staff understands that the applicant is using horizontal wood to reference the historic
resources; however it does not seem to work with the contemporary style of the building.
11.8 Use building materials that contribute to a traditional sense of human scale.
. Materials that appear similar in scale and finish to those used historically on the site are
encouraged.
. Use of highly reflective materials is discouraged.
Metal accents are proposed for the ground level including a steel header that spans the top of the
first floor and metal clad entrance doors. Staff is concerned with the solid metal clad doors and
small window, and recommends that the applicant restudy the style, particularly the ratio of solid
to void, of this element.
3
P30
Glass block is proposed for the windows along the west elevation, adjacent to Elevation. Staff is
concerned with the proposed material, and suggests that the applicant work with Staff and
monitor to find a material that is more appropriate for the Commercial Core. The window
openings on the west elevation are an appropriate proportion, but glass block is not appropriate in
this instance, and conflicts with Guideline I 1.8 above, which recommends materials that are
similar to those historically used on the site.
DECISION MAKING OPTIONS:
The HPC may:
. approve the application,
. approve the application with conditions,
. disapprove the application, or
. continue the application to a date certain to obtain additional information necessary
to make a decision to approve or deny.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that HPC approve the request for Major
Development Final Review for the property located at 308 East Hopkins Avenue, Lots Nand 0,
Block 80, City and Townsite of Aspen Colorado with the following conditions;
I. The applicant will restudy the material and style of the second floor balcony/railing on the
South Elevation, for review and approval by Staff and monitor.
2. The applicant will restudy the material and style of the proposed doors, for review by
Staff and monitor.
3. The applicant will restudy the glass block proposed for the west elevation, for review by
Staff and monitor.
4. The linear downlights proposed beneath the railings are not approved.
5. Information on all venting locations and meter locations not described in the approved
drawings shall be provided for review and approval by staff and monitor when the
information is available.
6. There shall be no deviations from the exterior elevations as approved without fust being
reviewed and approved by HPC staff and monitor, or the full board.
7. The development approvals granted herein shall constitute a site-specific development plan
vested for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance of a development order.
However, any failure to abide by any of the terms and conditions attendant to this
approval shall result in the forfeiture of said vested property rights. Unless otherwise
exempted or extended, failure to properly record all plats and agreements required to be
recorded, as specified herein, within 180 days of the effective date of the development
order shall also result in the forfeiture of said vested property rights and shall render the
development order void within the meaning of Section 26.104.050 (Void permits).
Zoning that is not part of the approved site-specific development plan shall not result in
the creation of a vested property right.
4
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No later than fourteen (14) days following final approval of all requisite reviews necessary
to obtain a development order as set forth in this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause to be
published in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdictional boundaries of the
City of Aspen, a notice advising the general public of the approval of a site specific
development plan and creation of a vested property right pursuant to this Title. Such notice
shall be substantially in the following form:
Notice is hereby given to the general public of the approval of a site specific development
plan, and the creation of a vested property right, valid for a period of three (3) years,
pursuant to the Land Use Code of the City of Aspen and Title 24, Article 68, Colorado
Revised Statutes, pertaining to the following described property: 308 East Hopkins
Avenue.
Nothing in this approval shall exempt the development order from subsequent reviews
and approvals required by this approval of the general rules, regulations and ordinances or
the City of Aspen provided that such reviews and approvals are not inconsistent with this
approval.
The approval granted hereby shall be subject to all rights of referendum and judicial
review; the period of time permitted by law for the exercise of such rights shall not begin
to run until the date of publication ofthe notice of final development approval as required
under Section 26.304.070(A). The rights of referendum shall be limited as set forth in the
Colorado Constitution and the Aspen Home Rule Charter.
Resolution # of 2007.
Exhibits:
A. Relevant HPC Design Guidelines
B. Application
"Exhibit A: Relevant Design Guidelines for 308 E. Hopkins Avenue, Final Review"
11.9 Use building components that are similar in size and shape to those of the historic
property.
.0 These include windows, doors and porches.
o Overall, details should be modest in character.
11.8 Use building materials that contribute to a traditional sense of human scale.
. Materials that appear similar in scale and finish to those used historically on the site are
encouraged.
. Use of highly reflective materials is discouraged.
11.10 The imitation of older historic styles is discouraged.
o This blurs the distinction between old and new buildings.
o Highly complex and ornately detailed revival styles that were not a part of Aspen's history
are especially discouraged on historic sites.
5
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13.18 Maintain the repetition of similar shapes and details along the block.
o Upper story windows should have a vertical emphasis. In general, they should be twice as
tall as they are wide.
o Headers and sills of windows on new buildings should maintain the traditional placement
relative to cornices and belt courses.
13.19 Maintain the pattern created by recessed entry ways that are repeated along a
block.
o Set the door back from the front facade approximately 4 feet. This is' an adequate amount to
establish a distinct threshold for pedestrians.
o Where entries are recessed, the building line at the sidewalk edge should be maintained by
the upper fIoor(s).
o Use transoms over doorways to maintain the full vertical height of the storefront.
13.20 The general aligrunent of horizontal features on building fronts should be
maintained.
o Typical elements that align include window moldings, tops of display windows, cornices,
copings and parapets at the tops of buildings.
o When large buildings are designed to appear as several buildings, there should be some
slight variation in alignments between the facade elements.
14.3 Keep color schemes simple.
DUsing one base color for the building is preferred.
o Using only one or two accent colors is also encouraged, except where precedent exists for
using more than two colors with some architectural styles.
14.4 Coordinating the entire building in one color scheme is usually more successful than
working with a variety of palettes.
o Using the color scheme to establish a sense of overall composition for the building is
strongly encouraged.
14.5 Develop a color scheme for the entire building front that coordinates all the facade
elements.
o Choose a base color that will link the entire building face together. For a commercial
building, it can tie signs, ornamentation, awnings and entrances together. On residences, it
can function similarly. It can also help your building relate better to others in the district.
o The complexity of the accent colors should be appropriate to the architectural style of the
building.
o Doors may be painted a bright accent color, or they may be left a natural wood finish.
Historically, many of the doors would have simply had a stain applied.
o Window sashes are also an excellent opportunity for accent color.
o Brilliant luminescent or "day-glo" colors are not appropriate.
14.6 Exterior lights should be simple in character and similar in color and intensity to that
used traditionally.
o The design of a fixture should be simple in form and detail. Exterior lighting must be
approved by the HPC.
o All exterior light sources should have a low level of luminescence.
14.7 Minimize the visual impacts of site and architectural lighting.
o Unshielded, high intensity light sources and those which direct light upward will not be
permitted.
o Shield lighting associated with service areas, parking lots and parking structures.
o Timers or activity switches may be required to prevent unnecessary sources of light by
controlling the length of time that exterior lights are in use late at night.
6
P33
D Do not wash an entire building facade in light.
D Avoid placing exposed light fixtures in highly visible locations, such as on the upper walls
of buildings.
D Avoid duplicating fixtures. For example, do not use two fixtures that light the same area.
14.8 Minimize the visual impact of light spill from a building.
D Prevent glare onto adjacent properties by using shielded and focused light sources that
direct light onto the ground. The use of downlights, with the bulb fully enclosed within the
shade, or step lights which direct light only on to walkways, is strongly encouraged.
D Lighting shall be carefully located so as not to shine into residential living space, on or off
the property or into public rights-of-way.
14.14 Minimize the visual impacts of service areas as seen from the street.
D When it is feasible, screen service areas from view, especially those associated with
commercial and multifamily developments.
D This includes locations for trash containers and loading docks.
D Service areas should be accessed off of the alley, if one exists.
14.15 Minimize the visual impacts of mechanical equipment as seen from the public way.
D Mechanical equipment may only be installed on an alley facade, and only if it does not
create a negative visual impact.
D Mechanical equipment or vents on a roof must be grouped together to minimize their visual
impact. Where rooftop units are visible, provide screening with materials that are
compatible with those of the building itself.
D Screen ground-mounted units with fences, stone walls or hedges.
D A window air conditioning unit may only be installed on an alley facade, and only if it does
not create a negative visual impact.
D Use low-profile mechanical units on rooftops so they will not be visible from the street or
alley. Also minimize the visual impacts of utility connections and service boxes. Use smaller
satellite dishes and mount them low to the ground and away from front yards, significant
building facades or highly visible roof planes.
D Paint telecommunications and mechanical equipment in muted colors that will minimize
their appearance by blending with their backgrounds.
14.16 Locate standpipes, meters and other service equipment such that they will not
damage historic facade materials.
D Cutting channels into historic facade materials damages the historic building fabric and is
inappropriate. Do not locate equipment on the front facade.
D lf a channel must be cut, either locate it on a secondary facade, or place it low on the wall.
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RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC)
APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT (FINAL) FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 308 EAST HOPKINS AVENUE, LOTS M, AND N, BLOCK
80, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, COLORADO.
RESOLUTION NO. _, SERIES OF 2007
PARCEL ID: 2737-073-29-007.
WHEREAS, the applicant, JW Venture LLC, represented by Sunny Vann and Charles Cunniffe
Architects has requested Major Development (Conceptual), Demolition, and Commercial Design
Review for the property located at 308 E. Hopkins Avenue, Lots M and N, Block 80, City and
Townsite of Aspen, Colorado; and
WHEREAS, Section 26.415.070 of the Municipal Code states that "no building or structure
shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, relocated or improved involving a
designated historic property or district until plans or sufficient information have been submitted
to the Community Development Director and approved in accordance with the procedures
established for their review;" and
WHEREAS, for Final Major Development Review, the HPC must review the application, a staff
analysis report and the evidence presented at a hearing to determine the project's conformance
with the City of Aspen Historic Preservation Design Guidelines per Section 26.415.070.D.4.of
the Municipal Code and other applicable Code Sections. The HPC may approve, disapprove,
approve with conditions or continue the application to obtain additional information necessary to
make a decision to approve or deny; and
WHEREAS, Sara Adams, in her staff report dated April 25, 2007, performed an analysis of the
application based on the standards, found that the review standards and the "City of Aspen
Historic Preservation Design Guidelines have been met, and recommended approval; and
WHEREAS, at their regular meeting on April 25, 2007, the Historic Preservation Commission
considered the application, found the application was consistent with the review standards and
"City of Aspen Historic Preservation Design Guidelines" and approved the application by a vote
of to
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That HPC hereby recommends approval for Major Development (Final) for the property located
at 308 East Hopkins Avenue, Lot M & N, Block 80, City and Townsite of Aspen, Colorado, as
proposed with the following conditions;
I. The applicant will restudy the material and style of the second floor balconylrailing on the
South Elevation, for review and approval by Staff and monitor.
2. The applicant will restudy the material and style of the proposed doors, for review by
Staff and monitor.
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3. The applicant will restudy the glass block proposed for the west elevation, for review by
Staff and monitor.
4. The linear downlights proposed beneath the railings are not approved.
5. Information on all venting locations and meter locations not described in the approved
drawings shall be provided for review and approval by staff and monitor when the
information is available.
6. There shall be no deviations from the exterior elevations as approved without first being
reviewed and approved by HPC staff and monitor, or the full board.
7. The development approvals granted herein shall constitute a site-specific development plan
vested for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance of a development order.
However, any failure to abide by any of the terms and conditions attendant to this
approval shall result in the forfeiture of said vested property rights. Unless otherwise
exempted or extended, failure to properly record all plats and agreements required to be
recorded, as specified herein, within 180 days of the effective date of the development
order shall also result in the forfeiture of said vested property rights and shall render the
development order void within the meaning of Section 26.104.050 (Void permits).
Zoning that is not part of the approved site-specific development plan shall not result in
the creation of a vested property right.
No later than fourteen (14) days following final approval of all requisite reviews necessary
to obtain a development order as set forth in this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause to be
published in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdictional boundaries of the
City of Aspen, a notice advising the general public of the approval of a site specific
development plan and creation of a vested property right pursuant to this Title. Such notice
shall be substantially in the following form:
Notice is hereby given to the general public of the approval of a site specific development
plan, and the creation of a vested property right, valid for a period of three (3) years,
pursuant to the Land Use Code of the City of Aspen and Title 24, Article 68, Colorado
Revised Statutes, pertaining to the following described property: 308 East Hopkins
Avenue.
Nothing in this approval shall exempt the development order from subsequent reviews
and approvals required by this approval of the general rules, regulations and ordinances or
the City of Aspen provided that such reviews and approvals are not inconsistent with this
approval.
The approval granted hereby shall be subject to all rights of referendum and judicial
review; the period of time permitted by law for the exercise of such rights shall not begin
to run until the date of publication of the notice of final development approval as required
under Section 26.304.070(A). The rights of referendum shall be limited as set forth in the
Colorado Constitution and the Aspen Home Rule Charter.
[signatures on following page)
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APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION at its regular meeting on the 25th day of April 2007.
Approved as to Form:
Jim True, City Attorney
Approved as to content:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Jeffrey Halferty, Chair
ATTEST:
Kathy Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
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