Under the 16th Street Viaduct,  looking Northeast at train platforms  and Union Station     1986

You can just feel the cooler temperatures in the shade of this photo, so inviting on many levels.  The rail line, terminal building, and the viaduct above capping it all off; a special moment of composition and content.

Northeast front corner of Denver Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop Streets     1990

From the Southwest corner of Streetcar Stables looking across Wynkoop Street at the strong design of Denver Union Station.  The prominent canopies wrapping around the station, a very small section of the old Post Office and the 16th Street Viaduct viewed on the far left.

150 feet behind Denver Union Station     1985

Railroads and terminals conjure up emotional memories.  They represent history, dreams, and inspiration along with visions of people coming to an fro - some prominent, some not. 

 Under a passenger platform, behind Denver Union Station     1989

The passenger platforms were wonderful to frame a scene. The curves and shadows were asking me to record them on film; here they are for you.

Part of the passenger platforms is being demolished on the left side of this image.

From the16th Street Viaduct,  looking Northeast at the back of
Denver Union Station     1984

The passenger rail line platforms behind the station were vast. When commerce and people's use of the railroad were common. These platforms hold many memories; they pledged the way for hopes and dreams of many various patrons.
 

From the 20th Street Viaduct, looking Southwest at the North and back of
Union Station    1989

This image shows the vast and far stretching passenger train platforms behind Union Station.

The 16th Street Viaduct is mid frame, the beginning of the Rocky Mountains and western sky are beyond. The ever-present Post Office building is center, and the Monarch Mills building is on the distant right side.

From under the 20th Street Viaduct , looking Southwest to the area behind
Denver Union Station     1988

The Union Pacific Headhouse on the left, the Ice House is center and Union Station beyond; a very strong image.  The awesome viaduct frames this scene of auto and rail usage.

North wing of Denver Union Station during demolition     1987

This building was very cool, built of fantastic huge stones, and strong loading docks. To me it seemed the perfect venue for a world class farmers' market. 

This exact location will be the "north wing" of a new building to be built by IMA of Denver. This area in a couple years will be rocking with the beginning of building activity on the Wynkoop Street side of Denver Union Station.

From the 16th Street Viaduct, looking North at Post Office trucks at Union Station     1985

I can not overstate how large the Post Office building was with all it's entrapments.  Here you see trucks parked. The trucks had their own private "station" of 2 pumps.  Nice.

This location will be the site of the "South Wing" companion building to complete the "bookend" buildings on each side of the front of Denver Union Station.

- Kim Allen

Denver Union Station has always played a huge part of our community and our heritage.

I have spent a lot of time showing and telling about the 1980's and 1990's.

All these small areas of Denver I documented would evolve into something special. As many small parts, these areas have combined into a larger more cohesive area.

I offer you a thought: the Denver Union Station project will absolutely transform this area of Denver into a place that will astound and dazzle.

When completed, a new futuristic terminal canopy to the west will join the historic terminal. The old and new will compliment each other, it will blow people away with the combined design and usage.

Trains, buses, and people will commute from all over Denver to this exact location. Our new D.I.A. terminal to be built, people from all over the world will arrive into downtown Denver and enter the historic Grand Terminal of Denver Union Station.

Combining our residents and tourists, our historic and new construction, you will see Denver in a light that has never been experienced !

Kim Allen

Streetcar Stables Lofts

From Wynkoop and 17th Street,  looking Northeast  at the Streetcar Stables Building     1990

The Streetcar Stables building was empty, its history mostly forgotten, abandoned by the times.

Looking almost formidable, the building hosted the original entrance to the Denver City Railway Company on 17th Street.  The tall arched windows added a touch of elegance on the Wynkoop Street side.

A sleepy time in history - like many of the other neighborhood warehouses in the late 1980's; it was very sleepy. 

From Streetcar Stables looking Southwest at the front of Union Station     1990

What a view!  This image was taken from the Streetcar Stables, now the Streetcar Stables Lofts.  They sit right across from the Oxford Hotel and Union Station terminal!  It just does not get any better  - a premium location downtown, a future retail and transportation center of Union station on the table.  It will rock the area!

From roof-top of Streetcar Stables looking Southwest at the Post Office and
16th Street Viaduct     1990

An addition was added to the top of Streetcar Stables on this exact location; the main part of Union Station is out of view to the right.

The parking lot was often used to park trucks for the Post Office and even had its own gas pumps.

The 16th and 15th Streets Viaducts can be seen further down Wynkoop Street.

Alley near the Oxford Hotel near the Southeast corner of the
Streetcar Stables across the street     1990

This view has been seen by many, missed by most.  The alley is great fun.

Looking West from the middle of Streetcar Stables     1990 

A great image — the timbers, the windows, the reflections and vibes.  This image is now filled with loft homes.

Looking at front windows on the 17th Street side of the top floor     1990

If you looked out those windows, the view of the Oxford Annex building would be directly across the street; the Oxford Hotel would be to the left.

Edbrooke Lofts

The iconic view of the Edbrooke Lofts at Wynkoop Street and
the 15th Street Viaduct     1989

In the 1980's this area was dominated by the massive Post Office Terminal that took up an entire block.  It was just to the right of this image.

At the top of the image is the powerful 15th Street Viaduct spanning Wynkoop Street; the Rio Grande Rail Bridge over Cherry Creek is a block away at 14th Street.

To me, the combined composition of this image says "Edbrooke Building".

Looking Southwest from Colorado Saddlery Building at
Edbrooke Building/Speer Viaduct     1983

The Water tower in the back reads, "LAND MFG. CO.".  The cornice pulls the viewer in; the design is stalwart, but the arched windows punctuated with little round windows soften it.  You just have to adore the Edbrooke.

Beginning  of  lofts, at the 15th Street Viaduct  at Wynkoop Street     1988

The magnificent 15th Street Viaduct runs East to West and towers above in strength and beauty.  The Colorado Saddlery building is on the left of this image n the shadows.

Bottom corner space, a table and chair.  All it missed was a friend, food and wine.     1990

This view was very interesting.  It would be a prominent corner unit at a prominent intersection of a prominent building. The residential rebirth of lower downtown was underway.
 

Under the 15th Street Viaduct, the charming Edbrooke on the left at Wynkoop Street     1990

Above, a classic image looking Northwest at the Post Office on the right, the Edbrooke on the left and the 15th Street Viaduct iabove.

Top floor, looking Southeast at part of downtown     1990

This image invites you to look outward, then invites you to look inside at the wonderful beams, bricks and sunlight streaming onto the floor.  Nice.

This view of Brooks Executive Tower (center) has been replaced by the view of the Four Seasons Hotel.

Not bad either way.

Acme and Volker Lofts

Future location of Acme Lofts, Dana Crawford's auto parked at 1333 Wazee Street     1990

A rather unassuming image, a former English Taxi parked outside the Frisch Building. The building would later be named the Acme Lofts from the previous business Acme Upholstery Supply Company.

Acme and Volker Buildings at 14th and Wazee Streets     1987

Posing a fortress-like design, the construction of the Acme Building was completed in 1909. The Volker building to the West was completed in 1907.

The Speer Viaduct ran on both sides of these buildings, the West bound traffic was on the north side.

The viaduct had plenty of activity with people speeding by in their autos.  The area below was vacant and rarely used.

The late sculpture artist, Jefferson D. Rubin, did much work in his space at 1300 Wazee Street.  Unfortunately, we never met; he was truly a rare and gifted artist.  Sadly, we lost him at the age of 35.

Preview of loft design lay-out for the Acme Building     1991

From the top floor, I got an wide view from the large windows on the right.  They look North onto Cherry Creek and lower downtown and the stunning location on Wazee Street.

Under the 15th Street Viaduct looking Southwest  on Wazee Street at
the Acme Building     1987

Although commerce was slow, the bar stools and tables at the Wazee Supper Club were frequently full.

The Elephant Coral on the left (out of sight) was occupied, but there was little activity on the rest of the block.

We would loose the amazing viaducts; the vacated warehouses would fortunately be renovated back to life.  The Acme and Volker Lofts were another great step forward to the renewal of downtown.

Our rebirth of Denver's historical heritage was starting, this would enable residential density to add to what we are experiencing today.  Bravo!
 

From mid block, looking Southwest onto the Acme and Volker Buildings     1989

Framed between neighboring buildings, the Acme and Volker buildings stand proud, long and tall. The viaduct had been removed; it was open land.  People would be coming back soon.

Alley between Wazee and Wynkoop Street,
looking Southwest at the Acme and Volker Buildings     1989

This is the feel of the area, abandoned and full of shadows.

It was like an old movie set that had fallen into disrepair, just waiting for "serious clean-up".

Looks like "showtime" is here.  Enjoy!