Item 5B - 1345 Spruce StAGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 1
M E M O R A N D U M
November 2, 2016
TO: Landmarks Board
FROM: Lesli Ellis, Comprehensive Planning Manager
Debra Kalish, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Marcy Cameron, Historic Preservation Planner
James Hewat, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
William Barnum, Historic Preservation Intern
SUBJECT: Public hearing and consideration of an application to designate the
building and property at 1345 Spruce St. as a local historic
landmark as per Section 9-11-5, Boulder Revised Code 1981
(HIS2016-00253).
____________________________________________________________________________
STATISTICS
1. Site: 1345 Spruce St., Boulder, Colorado
2. Zoning: DT-3 (Downtown-3)
3. Owner/Applicant: Front Range Shambhala
4. Legal Description: Lot 12 Blk 121 Boulder OT
5. Date of Construction: 1905
______________________________________________________________________________
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Landmarks Board adopt the following motion:
I move that the Landmarks Board recommend that the City Council designate the building and
property at 1345 Spruce St. as a local historic landmark, to be known as the Physician’s
Building, finding that it meets the standards for individual landmark designation in Sections 9-
11-1 and 9-11-2, B.R.C. 1981, and adopt the staff memorandum dated November 2, 2016, as the
findings of the board.
FINDINGS
The Landmarks Board finds that, based upon the application and evidence presented
and subject to the conditions of approval, the proposed designation application will be
consistent with the purposes and standards of the Historic Preservation Ordinance,
Chapter 9-11, B.R.C. 1981, and:
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 2
1. The proposed designation will protect, enhance, and perpetuate a property
reminiscent of past eras and persons important in local and state history and
provide a significant example of architecture from the past. Sec. 9-11-1(a), B.R.C.
1981.
2. The proposed designation will maintain an appropriate setting and environment
and will enhance property values, stabilize the neighborhood, promote tourist
trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the city’s living heritage. Sec. 9-11-
1(a), B.R.C. 1981.
3. The proposed designation draws a reasonable balance between private property
rights and the public interest in preserving the city’s cultural, historic, and
architectural heritage by ensuring that demolition of buildings important to that
heritage will be carefully weighed with other alternatives. Sec. 9-11-1(b), B.R.C.
1981.
4. The property proposed for designation has historical, architectural or aesthetic
interest or value. Sec. 9-11-2(a)(1), B.R.C. 1981.
BACKGROUND
On August 8, 2016, the City of Boulder received an application from the property
owner, Front Range Shambhala, for an individual landmark designation of the property
at 1345 Spruce St. The building is located within the boundaries of the local and
National Register Downtown Historic District and is considered to be contributing to
both districts. The property owner would like to further recognize the historic
importance of the building.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
The 6,561 sq. ft. property is prominently located on the corner of Spruce and 13th Streets
in the Downtown Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic
Places in 1980 and was designated as a local historic district in 1999. The building is
considered a contributing resource to both district. First surveyed in 1986, the building
was found to be potentially eligible for designation as an individual landmark. The
identified, potential Whittier Historic District (local and national) is located across the
street, east of 14th Street and north of Spruce Street.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 3
Figure 1: Location Map, 1345 Spruce St.
Figure 2: 1345 Spruce St., South Elevation (façade), 2016
Designed in an eclectic variant of the Renaissance Revival manner by local architects,
Wright and Saunders, the building was constructed in 1905. The blond brick building
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features limestone surrounds at the window and door openings and limestone
stringcourses. Symmetrically organized the well-articulated façade and main entrance
to the building is adorned by a two-story pedimented entrance flanked by large double-
hung windows. The door and windows in the center and on the top floor feature
Romanesque arches, a hipped tile roof while the building rests on a stone foundation
with sandstone steps leading to the front entrance.
Figure 3. East Elevation, 2016.
The east elevation features regularly spaced window openings with limestone
stringcourses while the window on the first and second floor feature limestone lintels
and sills. The windows on the third floor feature Romanesque arches. Paired corbels
continue beneath the eaves, under the exposed rafter tails. Two masonry chimneys are
visible at the east elevation. A secondary entrance is located near the north end of the
east elevation, denoted by a heavy Romanesque arch supported by classical columns.
Two gold decorative finials are located at the ridge of the tiled roof, and are a later
alteration and signal the building’s current use as the Front Range Shambhala Center.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 5
Figure 4. North (rear) Elevation, 2016.
The rear elevation lacks the architectural detailing of the primary faces, and is clad in
brick that has been painted. The windows have arched surrounds and rest on stone
lintels. A door is located at the west end of the north elevation.
The west elevation mirrors the design of the east elevation, with regularly spaced
windows and sandstone detailing. The west elevation is minimally visible due to the
construction of the building adjacent to it.
ALTERATIONS
The building remains largely intact to its original construction. The original windows
remain. The doors on the south, east and north elevations have been replaced. The
decorative finials at the ridge of the roof were added in the last twenty years.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 6
Doctor Oscar M. Gilbert, N.D.
Photo courtesy of Boulder
Carnegie Library.
Figure 5. Physicians (right) and Telephone (left) Building, c.1920s
HISTORY
The building at 1345 Spruce St. was constructed in
1905 for prominent local physician Oscar M. Gilbert,
to address a need for better spaces for medical offices
in Boulder:1 In 1904, the Daily Camera reported that the
construction of the building would begin in the fall of
that year:
“Wright & Saunders, the architects, have made plans
and specification for the fine new Physicians’ building,
which Dr. O.T. Gilbert will erect at the corner of 14th
and Spruce. It is understood that the structure will be
underway this fall. It will be arranged especially for
the accommodation of physicians, many of whom will
have their offices there.”2
The building was designed by Boulder architects Wright and Saunders using a
Renaissance Revival vocabulary. In addition to the Physician’s Building, the duo is
1 Daily Camera, “Dr. O. M. Gilbert Dies in Sleep Early Today.” 18 October, 1944. Boulder Carnegie Library.
2 Daily Camera, “The Physician’s Building.” 30 September
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credited with the design of the Grill Mansion (2305 Broadway Street, designated as a
local landmark in 1976), the Kirkbride Block (1635 Pearl St., destroyed by fire in 1968),
the Y.M.C.A. Building (1231 Walnut Street, demolished in 1960), and the Derham-
Lindgren House (905 13th St., designated as individual landmark).
Arthur Sanders
Arthur Saunders (1860-1930) studied architecture in Santa Cruz, California and came to
Boulder to begin his architectural practice in 1903. Saunders found considerable success
in Boulder, first in partnership with Wright from c. 1905-1907 before establishing his
own firm in 1908.3
Saunders is responsible for the design of a number of prominent commercial and
residential buildings in Boulder, including:
The Mercantile Bank, 1201 Pearl St., Downtown Historic District;
The Willard Building, 2045 Broadway Street, Downtown Historic District;
604 Mapleton Ave., 1913, Tudor-Revival, Mapleton Hill Historic District;
731 Spruce St., 1910, Craftsman, Mapleton Hill Historic District;
1815 17th St., 1901, Spanish-Revival, Chamberlain Historic District.
Saunders continued to practice in Boulder until his death in 1930. The 1910 Census
indicates Saunders lived at 1136 Spruce St. with his wife Caroline ("Carrie") and son
Arthur. Caroline died in 1914, and Arthur married Alda A. Hodge in 1917. At the time
of his death 1930, he was survived by his wife, son, and step-daughter Katy May
Hodge.
Charles Wright
Charles H. Wright was born in Iowa in 1859.4 In 1880, he lived in El Paso, Colorado with
his parents and brothers. By 1900, he had moved with his wife, Emma Reed, to
Pasadena, California, where he worked as a teacher. From 1903 until c.1920, he lived
and worked in Boulder as an architect. By 1920, he had moved back to California where
he resumed working as a teacher.
Dr. O. M. Gilbert
Oscar Monroe Gilbert was born on February 12, 1873, in Fulton, Missouri.5 He was the
son of William Gilbert, a farmer, and Mildred D. Gilbert. He graduated from Barnes
Medical College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1898, and thereafter served as a member of the
faculty there for two years. His two brothers, Charles T. and Carson Gilbert, were the
3 http://www.historicdenver.org/uploaded-files/Architects_Colorado_Database_1875-1950.pdf
4 Research Notes. Carnegie Library for Local History. Undated.
5 Daily Camera, “Dr. O. M. Gilbert Dies in Sleep Early Today.” 18 October, 1944. Boulder Carnegie Library.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 8
first members of his family to arrive in Boulder, where they established a pharmacy.
William and Mildred followed in 1898, followed by Oscar in 1900, who soon established
a successful medical practice. He married Agnes Kirkbride —born February, 1873, the
daughter of English immigrants George and Jane Kirkbride— on 26 March, 1902. He
travelled to Europe to undertake post graduate studies, and, in 1926 travelled to
London with a convention of physicians assembled by the famed Dr. Charles H. Mayo,
one of the founders of the Mayo Clinic.
After commissioning the Physician’s Building in 1905, he practiced from an office in the
building throughout his lengthy career. He was a leader in the field of tuberculosis
treatment, founder of the Mesa Vista Sanitarium, an influential member of the
committee which established Boulder Community Hospital, and president of the
Colorado Medical Society. He was sole owner of the Physician’s Building from its
construction until 1940, when he added Agnes as a co-owner. When Oscar Gilbert died
on October 18, 1944, Agnes maintained ownership until 1948. She then sold it to Ernest
and Dorothy Lucke.6
The Physician’s Building
The Physician’s Building, also known as the PIC Building, was designed specifically for
the use of doctor’s offices. At the time of the purchase of the building by the Luckes in
1948, the Daily Camera reported that the first two floors of the building were occupied
primarily by doctors, while the third floor hall was used by the Woman’s Club and
other organizations for meetings and dances. Businesses and living quarters were
located in the basement.7
The following year, the Daily Camera reported that the third floor was to be remodeled
for office use by the U.S. Census, which was relocating from Longmont to Boulder. The
third floor’s kitchen and dining room was remodeled into an office for the supervisors
and a training and work room for the field representatives.”8 The article reported that
25 groups, including the Boulder Woman’s Club and the Arapahoe Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, were making other arrangement for regular
meeting space.
In 1975, Vajradhatu, a non-profit association of Buddhist centers, purchased the
building for its administrative headquarters, graphics studio, print shop, archives,
library, child care facility, instruction rooms, and a large meditation hall.9 Remodeling
was undertaken by the local architecture firm of Wallace D. Palmer. At the time, a
6 Ibid.
7 Daily Camera. “Physicians Building is Sold by Mrs. Gilbert to Ernest Lucke and Wife.” 8 June 1948.
8 Daily Camera. “Physicians Third Floor Is To Be Made Into Offices.” 12 February 1949.
9 Daily Camera. “PIC Building Purchased by Buddhist Association.” 7 December 1975.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 9
portion of the building was utilized as the county election office, which subsequently
relocated to the county courthouse.
Vajradhatu was founded by Chogyam Trungpa Pinpche, a Tibetan Buddhist scholar
and mediation master. The organization, still locally active today through Vajradhatu’s
affiliate and current building owner Boulder Shambhala, “combines the teachings of the
Kagyü and Nyingma traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with the Shambhala principles of
living an uplifted life, fully engaged with the world.”10
CRITERIA FOR THE BOARD’S DECISION
Section 9-11-5(c), Public Hearing Before the Landmarks Board, B.R.C. 1981, specifies that in
its review of an application for local landmark designation, “the landmarks board shall
determine whether the proposed designation conforms with the purposes and
standards in Sections 9-11-1, ‘Legislative Intent,’ and 9-11-2, ‘City Council May Designate
Landmarks and Historic Districts’ B.R.C. 1981.” See Attachment F: Sections 9-11-1, Purpose
and Legislative Intent, and 9-11-2, City Council May Designate or Amend Landmarks and
Historic Districts, Boulder Revised Code 1981.
To assist in the interpretation of the historic preservation ordinance, the Landmarks
Board has adopted significance criteria to use when evaluating applications for
individual landmarks. See Attachment G: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks.
The board may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the application.
Findings must be adopted within 30 days of the hearing date. Should the board
disapprove the application, the board must notify City Council of that action within
fourteen days of the hearing date. Council may call up a decision disapproving a
designation. Should an application be disapproved, the same application may not be
submitted for a period of one year.
If the board finds that the proposed designation conforms to Sections 9-11-1 and 9-11-2,
B.R.C. 1981, it shall adopt specific findings and conclusions approving or modifying
and approving the application. If the board approves the proposed designation, the
application will be forwarded to City Council (within 100 days) for a public hearing.
ANALYSIS OF LANDMARK CRITERIA
A. Does the proposed application protect, enhance, and perpetuate buildings in the city
reminiscent of past eras, events, and persons important in local, state, or national history or
providing significant examples of architectural styles of the past and does the portion of the
property proposed for designation have historical, architectural or aesthetic interest or value?
10 Boulder Shambhala. http://boulder.shambhala.org/about-us/. Webpage. Accessed Oct. 20, 2016.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 10
Staff finds that the designation of the building at 1345 Spruce St. will protect, enhance,
and perpetuate a building reminiscent of a past era, past events, and persons important
in local history and preserve an important example of Boulder’s historic architecture.
Staff considers the application to meet the historic criteria for individual landmark
designation as outlined below:
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The building located at 1345 Spruce St. has historic significance under criteria 1,
2, 3, and 4.
1. Date of Construction: 1905
Elaboration: The Daily Camera reported the building was to begin construction in later
1904. The 1986 Survey Form notes that the building was constructed in 1905.
2. Association with Persons or Events: Dr. Oscar M. Gilbert
Elaboration: The building was constructed for Dr. Oscar M. Gilbert, a leader in the
field of tuberculosis treatment, founder of the Mesa Vista Sanitarium, an influential
member of the committee which established Boulder Community Hospital, and
president of the Colorado Medical Society. He was sole owner of the Physician’s
Building from its construction until 1940,
3. Development of the Community: Health
Elaboration: The building was designed specifically for the use of doctor’s offices.
At the turn of the twentieth century, Boulder became a destination for patients who
sought treatment and the dry, mountain air. The construction of the prominently
located and grandly designed Physician’s Building represents the need for doctor’s
offices during this time.
4. Recognition by Authorities: 1977 Survey, 1986 Survey, Contributing to Local and
National Register Historic District
Elaboration: The building was surveyed in 1977 and 1986, which found the building
to be eligible for designation on the local, state and national levels. The property is
located within the boundaries of the Downtown Historic District, which was listed
in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated as a local historic
district in 1999. The building is considered to be a contributing resource to both
districts.
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The house at 1345 Spruce St. has architectural significance under criteria 1, 2,
3, and 5.
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1. Recognized Period or Style: Renaissance Revival
Elaboration: The building is an excellent example of the Renaissance Revival,
evidenced through its Romanesque arched windows, hipped tile roof,
pediments, columned entrance and use of stone detailing.
2. Architect or Builder of Prominence: Wright and Saunders
Elaboration: The building was designed by the local architecture firm of Wright
and Saunders. The partnership existed from 1905-1907 and the firm is credited
with a number of prominent buildings, including the Grill Mansion (2305
Broadway Street, designated as a local landmark in 1976), the Kirkbride Block
(1635 Pearl St., destroyed by fire in 1968), the Y.M.C.A. Building (1231 Walnut
Street, demolished in 1960), and the Derham-Lindgren House (905 13th St.,
designated as individual landmark). Saunders continued to practice in Boulder
until his death in 1930, designing the Willard Block and Mercantile Building and
a number of prominent houses in popular revival styles.
3. Artistic Merit: Skillful Integration of Design
Elaboration: The building exhibits a skillful integration of design and material,
evidenced through its Romanesque arched windows, hipped tile roof,
pediments, columned entrance and use of stone detailing.
4. Example of the Uncommon: None Observed.
5. Indigenous Qualities: Native stone
Elaboration: The building features limestone detailing.
B. Does the proposed application develop and maintain appropriate settings and environments
for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property values, stabilize neighborhoods,
promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the City’s living heritage?
Staff finds that the proposed application would maintain appropriate settings and
environments for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property values, stabilize
neighborhoods, promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the city’s
living heritage. Staff believes that the application meets the environmental significance
criteria for individual landmarks as outlined below:
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 12
ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE
Summary: The building at 1345 Spruce St. has environmental significance under criteria
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
1. Site Characteristics: Downtown Historic District
Elaboration: The building is prominently located on the corner of 14th and Spruce
streets in the Downtown Historic District. The building enhances the variety,
interest and sense of identity within downtown Boulder.
2. Compatibility with Site: Downtown Corner
Elaboration: The building is specifically designed to sit prominently on the
corner of 14th and Spruce streets.
3. Geographic Importance: Familiar visual feature in downtown Boulder
Elaboration: The building, located north of the County Courthouse and a block
from the Pearl Street Mall, is a familiar visual feature in downtown Boulder.
4. Environmental Appropriateness: Downtown Historic District
Elaboration: The surroundings are complementary and specifically addresses the
street.
5. Area Integrity: Downtown Historic District
Elaboration: The property is located in the Downtown Historic District, which is
designated on the local and national levels.
Landmark Name:
Staff considers this landmark should be known as the Physician’s Building. This is
consistent with the Landmark Board’s Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and
Sites (1988) and the National Register of Historic Places Guidelines for Designation. See
Attachment H: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites.
Boundary Analysis:
The proposed landmark boundary follows the property lines, and is consistent with
current and past practices and the National Register Guidelines for establishing
landmark boundaries.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 13
Figure 10. Proposed Landmark Boundary (dashed line).
ATTACHMENTS
A: Designation Application
B: Current Photographs
C: Architectural Inventory Record Form
D: Assessor’s Card
E: Chapter 9-11-1 & 9-11-2 Purposes and Intent, Boulder Revised Code, 1981.
F: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks
G: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 14
Attachment A: Designation Application
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Attachment B: Current Photographs
1345 Spruce St., South (Front) Elevation, 2016.
1345 Spruce St., Southeast Corner, 2016
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1345 Spruce St., East (side) Elevation, 2016
1345 Spruce St., Northeast Corner, 2016
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1345 Spruce St., Northwest Corner, 2016
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Attachment C: Historic Building Inventory Form, 1986
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1345 Spruce St., Survey Photograph, 1986.
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Attachment D: Assessor’s Card
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Attachment E: Purposes and Intent
9-11-1 & 9-11-2 Purposes and Intent
Boulder Revised Code, 1981
9-11-1: Purpose and Legislative Intent states:
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety, and welfare by protecting,
enhancing, and perpetuating buildings, sites, and areas of the city reminiscent of past eras, events,
and persons important in local, state, or national history or providing significant examples of
architectural styles of the past. It is also the purpose of this chapter to develop and maintain
appropriate settings and environments for such buildings, sites, and areas to enhance property
values, stabilize neighborhoods, promote tourist trade and interest, and foster knowledge of the
city’s living heritage.
(b) The City Council does not intend by this chapter to preserve every old building in the city but
instead to draw a reasonable balance between private property rights and the public interest in
preserving the city’s cultural, historic, and architectural heritage by ensuring that demolition of
buildings and structures important to that heritage will be carefully weighed with other
alternatives and that alterations to such buildings and structures and new construction will respect
the character of each such setting, not by imitating surrounding structures, but by being
compatible with them.
(c) The City Council intends that in reviewing applications for alterations to and new construction on
landmarks or structures in a historic district, the Landmarks Board shall follow relevant city
policies, including, without limitation, energy-efficient design, access for the disabled and
creative approaches to renovation.
9-11-2: City Council may Designate or Amend Landmarks and Historic Districts states:
(a) Pursuant to the procedures in this chapter the City Council may by ordinance:
(1) Designate as a landmark an individual building or other feature or an integrated
group of structures or features on a single lot or site having a special character
and historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value and designate a
landmark site for each landmark;
(2) Designate as a historic district a contiguous area containing a number of sites,
buildings, structures or features having a special character and historical,
architectural, or aesthetic interest or value and constituting a distinct section of
the city;
(3) Designate as a discontiguous historic district a collection of sites, buildings,
structures, or features which are contained in two or more geographically
separate areas, having a special character and historical, architectural, or
aesthetic interest or value that are united together by historical, architectural, or
aesthetic characteristics; and
(4) Amend designations to add features or property to or from the site or district.
(b) Upon designation, the property included in any such designation is subject to all the requirements
of this code and other ordinances of the city.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 25
Attachment F: Significance Criteria for Individual Landmarks
SIGNIFICANCE CRITERIA
Individual Landmark
September 1975
On September 6, 1975, the City Council adopted Ordinance #4000 providing procedures for the
designation of Landmarks and Historic Districts in the City of Boulder. The purpose of the ordinance is
the preservation of the City’s permitted cultural, historic, and architectural heritage. The Landmarks
Board is permitted by the ordinance to adopt rules and regulations as it deems necessary for its own
organization and procedures. The following Significance Criteria have been adopted by the board to help
evaluate each potential designation in a consistent and equitable manner.
Historic Significance
The place (building, site, area) should show character, interest or value as part of the
development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of the community, state or nation; be the site of
a historic, or prehistoric event that had an effect upon society; or exemplify the cultural, political,
economic, or social heritage of the community.
Date of Construction: This area of consideration places particular importance on the age of the
structure.
Association with Historical Persons or Events: This association could be national, state, or local.
Distinction in the Development of the Community of Boulder: This is most applicable to an
institution (religious, educational, civic, etc) or business structure, though in some cases
residences might qualify. It stresses the importance of preserving those places which demonstrate
the growth during different time spans in the history of Boulder, in order to maintain an
awareness of our cultural, economic, social or political heritage.
Recognition by Authorities: If it is recognized by Historic Boulder, Inc. the Boulder Historical
Society, local historians (Barker, Crossen, Frink, Gladden, Paddock, Schooland, etc), State
Historical Society, The Improvement of Boulder, Colorado by F.L. Olmsted, or others in
published form as having historic interest and value.
Other, if applicable.
Architectural Significance
The place should embody those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, a
good example of the common; be the work of an architect or master builder, known nationally,
state-wide, or locally, and perhaps whose work has influenced later development; contain
elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent a significant
innovation; or be a fine example of the uncommon.
Recognized Period/Style: It should exemplify specific elements of an architectural period/style,
i.e.: Victorian, Revival styles, such as described by Historic American Building Survey Criteria,
Gingerbread Age (Maass), 76 Boulder Homes (Barkar), The History of Architectural Style
(Marcus/Wiffin), Architecture in San Francisco (Gebhard et al), History of Architecture
(Fletcher), Architecture/Colorado, and any other published source of universal or local analysis of
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 26
a style.
Architect or Builder of Prominence: A good example of the work of an architect or builder who is
recognized for expertise in his field nationally, state-wide, or locally.
Artistic Merit: A skillful integration of design, material, and color which is of excellent visual
quality and/or demonstrates superior craftsmanship.
Example of the Uncommon: Elements of architectural design, details, or craftsmanship that are
representative of a significant innovation.
Indigenous Qualities: A style or material that is particularly associated with the Boulder area.
Other, if applicable.
Environmental Significance
The place should enhance the variety, interest, and sense of identity of the community by the
protection of the unique natural and man-made environment.
Site Characteristics: It should be of high quality in terms of planned or natural vegetation.
Compatibility with Site: Consideration will be given to scale, massing placement, or other
qualities of design with respect to its site.
Geographic Importance: Due to its unique location or singular physical characteristics, it
represents an established and familiar visual feature of the community.
Environmental Appropriateness: The surroundings are complementary and/or it is situated in a
manner particularly suited to its function.
Area Integrity: Places which provide historical, architectural, or environmental importance and
continuity of an existing condition, although taken singularly or out of context might not qualify
under other criteria.
AGENDA ITEM #5B PAGE 27
Attachment G: Guidelines for Names of Landmarked Structures and Sites
GUIDELINES FOR NAMES OF LANDMARKED STRUCTURES AND SITES
PURPOSE:
The City of Boulder Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board finds that adoption of guideline
for the official landmark names of structures and sites designated by the City Council as City of
Boulder Landmarks will provide consistency in meeting the historic preservation goals as set
forth in the Historic Preservation Code (9-11-1 and 9-11-3).
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF OFFICIAL LANDMARK NAMES:
1. The official landmark name of the site or structure should be based on one or more of
the following criteria:
A. Original owners, architect, or builder;
B. Historically significant persons or prominent long-term residents;
C. A commonly accepted name;
D. Original or later event or use;
E. Unusual or architectural characteristic which clearly which clearly identifies the
landmark; and
F. The contributions of both men and women.
2. Owners requesting landmark designation for their buildings may be considered under
the above criteria. In the event that the official landmark name does not include the present
owners, a separate plaque containing the statement “Landmark designation applied for (date)
by owners (names of owners)” will be made available at the owners’ expense.