Committee forwards ‘The Gables’ landmark nomination to full council

The Community Planning and Housing Committee on Dec. 16 voted to forward a landmark designation application for The Gables, a 14‑unit apartment complex at 1407 East 11th Avenue in the Cheesman Park/Capitol Hill area, to the full Denver City Council for review and a public hearing. Committee members praised the building’s Tudor‑influenced design and its early example of adaptive reuse.

Becca, the staff consultant presenting the nomination, said the property qualifies under chapter 30 of the revised municipal code’s landmark ordinance because it retains historic integrity, is older than 30 years, and meets three significance criteria (C, D and G). The presentation described architectural features—masonry construction, half‑timbering with stucco infill, cross gables, a tower and a prominent arched porch—dating to a 1914–1915 period of significance and noted that the building resulted from combining two single‑family houses into one apartment building.

Committee members highlighted the property’s connection to a noted local architect and master builder described in the nomination as Fallis and Stein, and compared the building’s historic interest to other Denver landmarks such as the Mayan Theater. The owner, Marilee Ambrook, was identified as the applicant and the committee confirmed the property is 14 rental units owned by a single owner (not condominiums).

Councilmember Sawyer moved to forward the designation, Councilmember Diana Romero Campbell seconded, and chair Sarah Paradis confirmed agreement to move the item to the full council for a public hearing. The committee did not take a formal floor vote on adoption at the meeting; the action recorded in committee was to forward the nomination to the council for further review.

The next procedural step is review by the full City Council and scheduling of a public hearing, where the nomination and public comments will be considered before any final designation decision.