Tammen House Restoration
Historic Restoration
Denver, Colorado
This historic 10,000 square foot classic revival mansion by architect Edwin H. Moorman was commissioned in 1908 by Harry H. Tammen, co-owner and publisher of The Denver Post.
As of 2018, the entire exterior required extensive repairs. Current owners, Bill and Niña Sidley assembled a team to oversee and execute an exacting restoration. Historic architects, Steve Ekman and Gene Greene, of Ekman Design Studio, suggested collaboration with John Olson and Shannon Stage of Historic Denver, Lawrence Holland and Mike Schultheis of Summit Sealants, and Everett VerSchave of Applied Enclosure Consulting LLC. Over a year long period, this team of architects, engineers, builders, and historic preservationists returned the Tammen House to its former glory. The restoration included supporting and rebuilding a massive balcony spanning the front façade of the home, repairing and glazing many failing terracotta elements throughout including columns, balustrades, cornices, and parapets, replacing and tuckpointing damaged glazed bricks and mortar, and performing Dutchman repairs on various limestone units. Every effort was made to restore architectural integrity and strength with careful color matching and durable materials in keeping with the original.
The current stewards of the Tammen House are thrilled with the improvements effected by the Summit Sealants historic restoration builders and praised the entire team for their contributions to the preservation of the Tammen House.
Interesting facts about this project:
- Presidents William Taft and Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. spoke from the interior grand staircase of this house.
- Harry Tammen entertained other illustrious guests here, including showman Buffalo Bill Cody, boxer Jack Dempsey, and illusionist Harry Houdini.
- Historically accurate bricks previously used in Denver’s Union Station were sourced from RTD’s salvage yard to replace damaged ones.
