Get to Know the Denver City Skyline: Most Prominent Buildings
Denver’s population has soared in recent decades, with many new residents drawn to the Mile High City’s laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle — and that explosive growth has led to evolution of the Denver city skyline.
The structure and vibe of Downtown Denver have shifted dramatically over the years, but one constant has been the way its skyline stands out against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. With its mix of old and new architecture, the Denver city skyline represents the city’s past, present, and future.
Denver’s downtown core plays an important role in the metro area and the entire Front Range: Although downtown makes up just 1.8% of the city by area, 30% of its jobs, 20% of its taxable property value, and 4.6% of its population are based there, The Denver Post reported.
In this blog, we will explore the downtown buildings that shape the Denver city skyline, from Republic Plaza, the tallest building in Denver, to the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower.
Republic Plaza
The 56-story Republic Plaza is 714 feet tall, making it the tallest building in Denver (and in Colorado). The tower was built in 1984 in the international style of architecture, with its facade made of polished Sardinian granite and aluminum. The structure primarily contains offices.
The building is an integral piece of the Denver city skyline, located at 370 17th Street, at the corner of 17th Street and Tremont Place in Denver’s Central Business District neighborhood (also known as “CBD”).
Wells Fargo Center (aka the “Cash Register Building”)
The Wells Fargo Center’s iconic curved shape, reminiscent of an old-school cash register, gives it its nickname, “the Cash Register Building.” It’s the third-tallest building in Denver, at 698 feet and 52 stories. Completed in 1983, the postmodern building’s design was originally intended for Texas, so heating coils had to be installed on its roof to ensure that snow wouldn’t accumulate and fall to the ground below in crushing waves.
One of the most beloved buildings in the Denver city skyline, Wells Fargo Center is located at 1700 Lincoln Street, at the corner of East 17th Avenue and Sherman Street in Denver’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood (also known as “Uptown”).
1801 California Street
The tower at 1801 California Street is Denver’s second-tallest building, coming in at 52 stories and 709 feet. Built in 1983, it was briefly the city’s tallest building before Republic Plaza was completed a year later. The building has served as a hub for several telecom giants, including Qwest and CenturyLink, and other large companies, such as Transamerica. It was renovated in 2015.
This postmodern building, which features a stepped design with four setbacks, is also in Denver’s Central Business District neighborhood.
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences
This 45-story tower is home to the Four Seasons Hotel as well as private residential space. At 641 feet, it’s Denver’s fourth-tallest building. The 239-room hotel takes up the building’s first 24 stories, and the upper 21 stories are high-end residences. From the hotel to the homes, this building offers a slice of luxury in the heart of downtown and adds residential appeal to the Denver city skyline.
This building, which was completed in 2010, is also in Denver’s Central Business District neighborhood, at the corner of 14th and Arapahoe streets.
The Daniels & Fisher Tower
The Daniels & Fisher Tower is much shorter than many of the other buildings on this list, but when it was completed in 1911, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. The 21-story Renaissance revival-style tower was originally part of the Daniels & Fisher department store, which has since been demolished. The tower has been renovated several times over the years, and it now contains offices as well as event space.
The building, which appears on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties, is at 1601 Arapahoe Street in Denver’s Central Business District neighborhood. It’s one of the oldest features in the Denver city skyline, a testament to its adaptive reuse and enduring charm.
Block 162
Block 162, the newest building on this list and Denver’s 11th tallest, was completed in 2021. Of the tower’s 30 stories, 20 are office space and 13 (10 above ground and three below) are for parking. Block 162 is certified as a LEED Gold building, highlighting its sustainability, and offers modern, Class-A office space.
Located at 675 15th Street, at the corner of 15th and California streets Denver’s Central Business District neighborhood, the Block 162 is sure to have a significant impact on Denver’s future commercial landscape.
The Denver Millennium Bridge (Honorable Mention)
Although it’s not a building, the Denver Millennium Bridge gets an honorable mention because of the standout role it plays in the city’s skyline. The pedestrian bridge, which was built in 2002, connects Riverfront Park and 16th Street in Denver’s Union Station neighborhood. It spans 200 feet and was designed to look like a ship’s mast.
The bridge is a stunning steel symbol of the city’s innovation and walkability.
Wrapping Up: Denver’s City Skyline
The iconic buildings that make up Denver’s skyline range from the historic, like the Daniels & Fisher Tower, to the forward-thinking, like Block 162. As Denver grows, its skyline will continue to evolve, forming a vibrant urban tableau that depicts the city’s past, present, and future. With the Rocky Mountains as its backdrop, the city’s skyline will always be a sight to behold.
Looking for a home, perhaps with a view of the Denver city skyline? Find available properties here.
