The streets of certain old neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado, are dotted with solid houses that, if you remove the brick facades and dormers, look like great square boxes. Known as “Foursquares” in most other parts of the country, houses in this style are called “Denver Squares” in Denver. There are many of these houses in the city, especially in the older areas, such as Capitol Hill and Congress Park.
The boxy, boxy shape of the Foursquare style is often enhanced by dormer windows in the center of the roof and front porches that stretch the width of the home. The simple construction of the basic building lends itself well to modifications that improve the use of space and aesthetic appeal. The Denver Square, in particular, is known for its brick construction, leaded glass windows, and 2-tiered fireplaces.
Foursquares are usually two stories high. The house is divided into a series of rooms: entrance, kitchen, dining room and living room on the ground floor (with a front door offset from the center to allow access to the hall) and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. . Denver Square often has a full foundation and/or penthouse space as well.
The origins of the name “Denver Square” are somewhat mysterious. The Foursquare style exploded in America after the Civil War, due to its affordability, flexibility, and ease of construction. There are examples of Foursquare architecture throughout the country, some from years before the style reached the Rocky Mountains.
One reason Denver has so proudly labeled this style of home with its name might be the Grodavent brothers, who featured a design for a brick Foursquare house in an 1895 edition of Carpentry and Building magazine. This is one of the first Foursquare home designs to be mentioned in a construction publication and is a classic example of what Denverites mean when they say “Denver Square.”
While Denver certainly has no claim to Foursquare’s origins, many of the century-old houses on its streets are arguably some of the earliest examples of this style. The name “Denver Square” points to a proud tradition, begun by Denver architects and fostered by Denver residents, of homes that represent the revival of a nation after devastating conflict. Today, the renovated Denver Squares are highly sought after by people looking to live in a modernized part of Denver’s history.
