Equitable Building, Denver
The Equitable Building, a historic commercial office building located in Denver, is a significant architectural and cultural landmark. Completed in 1892, this steel-framed structure stands 125 feet tall with nine stories and was the tallest building in Denver until 1911. It is an exemplary representation of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, featuring numerous sets of arched windows and ornately carved granite, which contribute to its distinguished appearance.
Designed by the Boston architecture firm Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul during Denver's building boom of the early 1890s, the Equitable Building was highly innovative for its time. The building incorporated several cutting-edge technological advances and boasted a self-sufficient infrastructure. Even today, the building's original artesian well still powers its eight elevators. The structure was also ahead of its time in terms of amenities, with rooms equipped with radiators, water closets, hot and cold water, and even gas fireplaces.
The Equitable Building was originally constructed to house the western office of the Equitable Assurance Company of New York, marking a significant milestone in Denver's transformation from a mining town to a mature, stable city. The building's design reflects this connection, with its floor plan shaped like back-to-back "Es" and various "E" motifs in the exterior molding and decoration, paying homage to the company.
The building’s interior is equally impressive, featuring a marble floor, marble columns, a barrel-vaulted mosaic ceiling, Tiffany-stained glass windows, and bronze stair rails. These elements, combined with its Italian Renaissance Revival style, make the Equitable Building a notable example of late 19th-century commercial architecture.
The Equitable Building's historical and architectural significance was recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1978. Today, it stands as a testament to Denver's architectural heritage and its evolution as a city.
Designed by the Boston architecture firm Andrews, Jaques & Rantoul during Denver's building boom of the early 1890s, the Equitable Building was highly innovative for its time. The building incorporated several cutting-edge technological advances and boasted a self-sufficient infrastructure. Even today, the building's original artesian well still powers its eight elevators. The structure was also ahead of its time in terms of amenities, with rooms equipped with radiators, water closets, hot and cold water, and even gas fireplaces.
The Equitable Building was originally constructed to house the western office of the Equitable Assurance Company of New York, marking a significant milestone in Denver's transformation from a mining town to a mature, stable city. The building's design reflects this connection, with its floor plan shaped like back-to-back "Es" and various "E" motifs in the exterior molding and decoration, paying homage to the company.
The building’s interior is equally impressive, featuring a marble floor, marble columns, a barrel-vaulted mosaic ceiling, Tiffany-stained glass windows, and bronze stair rails. These elements, combined with its Italian Renaissance Revival style, make the Equitable Building a notable example of late 19th-century commercial architecture.
The Equitable Building's historical and architectural significance was recognized when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1978. Today, it stands as a testament to Denver's architectural heritage and its evolution as a city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Denver. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Equitable Building on Map
Sight Name: Equitable Building
Sight Location: Denver, USA (See walking tours in Denver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Denver, USA (See walking tours in Denver)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Denver, Colorado
Create Your Own Walk in Denver
Creating your own self-guided walk in Denver is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Denver Downtown Walking Tour
Denver is the capital city of Colorado as well as the state's largest metropolitan area. Known colloquially as the "Mile High City," Denver is just as well known for its beauty as it is for its important place in the history of the United States.
Denver owes its origins to the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1858. General William Larimer claimed the area that would later become Denver... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Denver owes its origins to the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1858. General William Larimer claimed the area that would later become Denver... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Capitol Hill Historical Homes Tour
Well-preserved historical homes often tell the tales of their former residents and the city they lived in with more depth and accuracy than any book. The Capitol Hill neighborhood, located just southeast of downtown Denver, is dotted with remarkable mansions built by the movers and shakers of the city, which now stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time. Symbols of prosperity and artistry,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Denver's Historical Churches
Denver, Colorado, is home to a variety of religious sites: churches, temples, and cathedrals of various confessions, each interesting in its own way. Guardians of Denver's spiritual heritage, these venerable institutions stand as tangible expressions of unwavering faith and community cohesion. Many of them date back to the 19th century and as such are rooted in the collective memory of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles