Construction/Renovation Blog

Monday, December 17, 2007

90-YEAR-OLD LORRAINE STILL PARTYING HARDY IN SPITE OF HER AGE

As an entrepreneur who worked up until his dying day, Charles Boettcher (1852-1948) would be proud of the perseverance of Lorraine Lodge, his beloved mountaintop retreat built in 1917 by Denver architects Fisher & Fisher. Constructed of local materials to withstand the test of time, the stone, timber and stucco estate is not only a well maintained example of the Arts & Crafts style, but a model of adaptive reuse. Originally designed as a private summer residence, over time the Boettcher Mansion has gracefully grown into its current function as one of Jefferson County's most popular special events venue. Given an extensive facelift (as part of a two-year Capital Improvement Plan), Lookout Mountain's grande dame was the undisputed belle of the ball at her 90th birthday celebration and official reopening October 3rd.

First thanking the Boettcher and Breeden families for their generous gift to the County, Commissioners Kathy Hartman and Kevin McCasky went on to praise the original, intermittent and current architects for their impeccable workmanship. Then, everyone watched as Community Resources/Open Space Director Ralph Schell, TC2 Construction Superintendent Bill Hickenlooper and SlaterPaull Architect Jessica Reske standing in for Melanie Short - cut the ribbon in front of the main entrance (with help from the Golden Chamber of Commerce). Following the formal outdoor ceremony, everyone gathered in the Fireside Room for brunch and a powerpoint presentation detailing ups and downs of the project. The festivities continued throughout the rest of the day, as a variety of event planners arrived at noon to enjoy lunch and tours of the rejuvenated facility and other invitees stopped by after hours for cake and refreshments.

The staff of the Boettcher Mansion cannot adequately express its gratitude to each and every one of you who helped us realize our dream of preserving this wonderful place for posterity within the Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve. After raising her family here in the 1960s, Charline Breeden subsequently willed the 110-acre estate to Jefferson County for public use and enjoyment. Since opening the facility as a conference and nature center in 1975, the County has proven to be a stalwart steward of this unique architectural landmark, ensuring its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, its remodel in 1986, and its ultimate renovation and restoration in 2005-07.

POSTED BY CYNTHIA SHAW MCLAUGHLIN at 2:38 PM

Wednesday August 1, 2007

BACK TO BUSINESS!

On Friday, May 18th, the Boettcher Mansion reopened to the public for its first event: the Colorado Arts & Crafts Society's 9th Annual Show, Sale & Bungalow Workshops. Anyone onsite that day just may have witnessed a miracle: with the Mansion just finishing up its two-year Capital Improvement Plan, there were still some loose ends to be tied. When the vendors arrived to set up their booths, the new carpet was still being installed in the lobby and hallways, making access into the building a challenge. But, this minor inconvenience was averted by loading some vendors and their wares in through the downstairs sunporch windows. By late afternoon, everyone was set up and ready for business the next day.

Pictures of the Capital Improvement Project

With an outstanding lineup of artisans and speakers (see program) combined with the added bonus of touring the newly restored and renovated Mansion, the event attracted a steady stream of customers throughout the weekend. Not only were the attendance numbers equal or exceeding the shows held previously in Denver, but there was a pervasive sense of place coming from the Show's return to its original home. Next year, the Society hopes to increase the number of new vendors and educational programs to meet the ever-growing, never-ending interest in the Arts & Crafts movement.

Pictures of the 2007 Colorado Arts & Crafts Society Show

Our first wedding of the season took place May 24th, followed by four more in a row plus a graduation party - over Memorial Day weekend. Since then, there's been an ongoing flurry of social events and conferences, with everyone raving about our improved facility and its many amenities. The caterers are thrilled with the new gourmet kitchen, and the customers have been enjoying the newly refurbished interior along with a much more inviting exterior enhanced by additional flagstone patios bordered by freshly planted flowers, shrubs and trees. The period garden is, in turn, is attracting more wildlife than we have seen in years: chirping birds, chattering squirrels, rambunctious raccoons and even a brazen bear (the deer still visit, too, but the repellent in the new irrigation system keeps them at bay)!

Pictures of the First Weddings of the Season

On October 3rd, we will be celebrating our Grand Reopening and 90th Birthday. Mark the date, and plan on joining us throughout the day (more details will be posted soon).

POSTED BY CYNTHIA SHAW MCLAUGHLIN at 3:03 PM

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

NEARING COMPLETION

Stucco Restoration With our doors reopening to the public in a mere six weeks, we are scrambling to complete Phase II of a very ambitious Capital Improvement Plan that has been underway all winter. As we speak, there are workers tucked away in every nook and cranny of the building and grounds: electricians, engineers, plumbers, carpenters, mudders and tilers - to name just a few! This week alone, we've had the old lead-based paint stripped from our Buffet and Piano Rooms, ceramic tiles laid on our bathroom floors, cabinets installed in the Aspen & Pine Rooms, and concrete poured for the garden shed addition by the service drive and new stone walls by the Carriage House.

Over the next few weeks, we will be building the lobby's new gas fireplace (to be clad with hammered copper and more than 200 handmade tiles), laying a new red oak floor in the Fireside Room, installing stainless steel equipment in the kitchen addition, and refinishing all of the bathrooms. Scores of windows are being refitted with replicas of the 1917 casements, and the stucco on the exterior is being repainted to its original salmon hue. Meanwhile, we're also starting to get "down to the details": hanging lighting fixtures, tiling countertops and backsplashes and inserting copper sinks. All this has put us in a state of dust and disarray, but the discombobulation points to progress (for which we thank Bill Hickenlooper, our "resident" construction superintendent).

We are heartbroken to report that Charles Boettcher's pet elk, who roamed the property back in the Mansion's heyday until he was preserved (and mounted) for the sake of posterity, has disappeared from temporary storage in the upstairs Columbine Room. It was just a matter of time before this majestic animal would have been placed in his final perch and resting place, overseeing all visitors as they entered the lobby. We are working with a criminal investigator from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, who supports our suspicion that the elkhead was taken in broad daylight while we were here on site. Categorized as a felony, the theft has robbed our estate of an irreplaceable and priceless piece of history. If you find him, please send him home!

POSTED BY CYNTHIA SHAW MCLAUGHLIN at 4:25 PM

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

PHOTOS FROM PHASE I

POSTED BY CYNTHIA SHAW MCLAUGHLIN AT 4:30pm

Monday, December 11, 2006

A SITE TO BEHOLD

In December 2005, the Jefferson County Commissioners approved a $3.1 million Capital Improvement Plan to both restore and update the Mansion. This generous sum from the County's Conservation Trust Fund has already helped us begin preserving our 1917 Arts & Crafts-style estate for posterity and adapting it to its modern-day usage as a special events venue. Projects completed earlier this year included construction of a 2-story kitchen and storage addition, installation of a new slate roof with copper trim and gutters, and implementation of several electrical and mechanical upgrades (the addition of air-conditioning units and a snow-melt system top the list)!
One year later, after a busy "social season" filled with weddings, receptions and other memorable events, we are launching the second and final phase, which will be far more cosmetic in nature. The work performed between now and June, 2007 will include retrofitting our new gourmet kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances; remodeling the lobby, office and restroom areas; replacing/refinishing the floor, windows and woodwork in the Fireside, Buffet and Piano Rooms; repointing the stone rubble walls (inside and out); and repairing the original stucco, timbers and terracotta on the exterior. A period landscaping plan, complete with native xeriscaping, recycled flagstone and a copper-clad gardener's shed, in the works as well.

Having ascended a formidable "learning curve" in the last go-around, we are far better prepared for what lies ahead (including the dust)! We know and trust our architect (SlaterPaull) and general contractor/superintendent (TC2) - along with their respective subcontractors - and they in turn understand our concerns about meeting a tight timeframe so that we can continue to deliver seamless customer service. With no events on the calendar until May 2007, we are anticipating a "fast and furious" Winter. Once Spring hits, we'll be gearing up to open our doors again (with a "Grand Reopening" celebration planned for the Fall. In the meantime, your patience is greatly appreciated as we, to quote Daniel Burnham (architect of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago):

"Make No Little Plans"!

POSTED BY CYNTHIA SHAW MCLAUGHLIN AT 2:52pm

Last Modified: Apr 23, 2009 05:16 PM