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The Emerson School, Denver’s oldest surviving elementary school building, has entered the market for $6.5 million in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Recently listed by Unique Properties Inc., a Colorado real estate firm, the historic property at 1420 N. Ogden St. spans more than 33,000 square feet on 1.16 acres. It has 40 surface parking spaces, high ceilings, flexible floor plates and a geothermal HVAC system. “Emerson School is part of East Colfax’s fabric,” said Graham Trotter, senior broker associate at Unique Properties. Its layout and zoning can accommodate a variety of uses, from education and nonprofit headquarters to creative offices, co-working spaces, or community-focused redevelopment. The red-bricked property houses several nonprofit organizations, such as Historic Denver Inc., Colorado Preservation Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Since the school, it has seen a couple of different uses, including some office space, some religious facilities, some dental space, even,” said Unique Properties Chairman and President Marc Lippitt. Lippitt said they were honored to be chosen to help find the next steward for the property, noting that the firm has strong roots in the neighborhood and has sold more than 70 properties within a half-mile of the site. Built in 1885, the building was designed by Robert Roeschlaub, Colorado’s first licensed architect and a defining figure in the state’s architectural history. His notable works include Trinity United Methodist Church, the Chamberlin Observatory at the University of Denver and the Central City Opera House. In 2010, the property was donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation by Capitol Hill Senior Resources Inc., and later became known as the Frank B. McGlone Center. Over the years, the Emerson School has undergone significant restoration to preserve its architectural character and to create an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly workspace. Trotter said a major renovation that modernized the building included a central heating and cooling system powered by 30 vertical wells approximately 300 feet deep that are connected to high-efficiency heat pumps beneath the schoolyard parking area. The renovation was completed to LEED Gold standards. A preservation easement held by Historic Denver continues to protect the building’s design and craftsmanship, ensuring its long-term sustainability and eligibility for historic tax benefits. Additionally, a nearby 5,062-square-foot surface parking lot is up for sale for $500,000 at 1457 N. Corona St. Lippitt said they are looking for a developer for the lot, but noted that it may be purchased along with the Emerson building and kept as parking.
