The mid-century modern 12-story high rise on the SE corner of 9th Avenue and Logan Street was constructed in 1959, replacing the three original houses which once comprised (with the Campion Mansion at 800 Logan) the west side of Block 12 of Emery’s Capital Hill Addition to Denver. The architectural firm was Muchow and Company, specifically William C. Muchow and an associate, Nathaniel (Nat) Sachter. Muchow had previously collaborated with two well known figures in Denver real estate…Saul Davidson and Arnold Cohen…and was employed to design what was to be known as the 888 Logan Apartments. Davidson and Cohen formed a construction company which acquired the land from the property owners on Logan during the period 1957-1958, and construction was completed by the end of 1958. The Grand Opening occurred in January, 1959 to rave reviews, setting new records for the costs of luxury apartment living. High speed elevators, individual temperature control by room, an elegant 11th floor Club Room and six 11th/12th floor penthouse residences were just some of the features. There were studios, plus one and two bedroom apartments in addition to the penthouses. This structure was yet another example wherein Muchow used ceramic tile to great advantage on the structure. There were large ceramic murals on the north and south sides of the building as well as a reflecting pool surrounded by ceramic-studded walls in an outdoor area under the building (the pond and outdoor area was subsequently enclosed by glass to create the lobby of today).
Davidson and Cohen were very active during this period (the start of Denver’s urban renewal), and this project provided financial support for other ongoing projects as its worth increased (Muchow’s FanFare Center in Aurora for one). The 888 Logan Apartments themselves expanded over the first 15 months of its existence, eventually adding a Guest Parking garage and then a second building in 1962 at 855 Pennsylvania Street (known as 888 Logan Apartments East until conversion to condos in 1978).
In mid-1961, Davidson and Cohen formed a corporation to assume ownership of the project (888 Logan, Inc.). 888 Logan finished the 888 Logan Apartments and managed them until selling them in 1967. The next ten years saw the apartments change hands multiple times (closely related owners) until being purchased by 888 Logan Associates for $4.5 million in 1978. 888 Logan Associates converted the properties to condominiums in 1978.
Many famous people have lived at 888 Logan, said to be the most luxurious dwelling in Denver. Ike frequently visited his friend Carl Norgren, who lived there (Mamie was raised a few blocks away). So too did Ellie and George Calkins; the father of cable TV, billionaire Bill Daniels; Ethyl Merman during her first retirement and marriage to Continental Airlines CEO Robert Six; Louis Dymond, President and CEO of Frontier Airlines; Gerald Schlessman, prominent regional banker; Russel B. Wells of Wells Music fame; Frank Kemp (who lived in my apartment!); Joseph Bona, mortician for Buffalo Bill; Cortlandt Dieter, oil and gas baron; Patrick Westfeldt, 5th partner at Holland and Hart and Hannah Levy, co-owner of Fashion Bar, among others.
