Arapaho Hills Subdivision placed on the List of Merit

On August 20, 2007, the Historical Preservation Board approved a request from property owner Mitch Cowley to include the Arapaho Hills Subdivision on the city’s List of Merit. Arapaho Hills is located north of Berry Avenue and west of Lowell Boulevard and includes 72 homes on Arrowhead, Berry, Chimayo, Lowell, Manitou and Mohawk.

Arapaho Hills is one of only a few communities in the Denver Metro area that feature Mid-Century Modern style homes. Built between 1957-61 by developer Clyde Mannon and his team of designers, these homes are characterized by their horizontal orientation with flat or wide gabled roofs, car ports, large overhangs, clerestory windows, balconies, patios, and use of a wide variety of building materials. The neighborhood is sited on a hill with views to the east. Each home is placed at an angle to the street and is lushly landscaped with a variety of trees and shrubs, giving the neighborhood a distinct look and feel.

The List of Merit was established by the Historical Preservation Board in April, 2002 to highlight properties that have historic significance to the community, but are not designated as a historic landmark under the city’s historic preservation program. This is the first district to be included on the List of Merit and brings the total number of properties on the List to 137.

In its consideration of the request, the Historical Preservation Board found that the properties in the Arapaho Hills Subdivision form a cohesive community that is distinctive in site planning, architecture and landscaping in the creation of a residential community that is now worthy of preservation.