According to Denver assessor records, the apartment building at 1290 Washington Street was built in 1954. While no building permit could be located to confirm this date, the 1951 Sanborn fire insurance map shows no building at this location. Formerly called the Corvette Apartments, the building is now known as the Fountainhead.
Arthur H. Melnick purchased the vacant land in 1945. During his ownership, the current apartment building was constructed. Born in Russia in 1900, Melnick earned his living by owning and operating the Melnick Brothers Meat Market. With his brother, Stanley, the pair opened the “handsomest, most sanitary meat market” in Denver. Outside of the thriving business, Melnick and his wife, Eva, had two children. He also devoted his time to Denver’s Jewish community and was recognized for his accomplishments by the Jewish National Fund of Colorado in 1969 at a banquet attended by over 1,000 people.
