Dedicated on February 15th, 1910 as Denver’s Public Library, the building now referred to as the McNichols Building has played a significant role in the development of Denver’s Civic Center. The building served as the City’s central public library until 1956.
In September 1956, the building was extensively “remodeled” and converted for use as offices for the Denver Water Board. As part of the window replacement, limestone panels were introduced between the second and third floor windows, drastically reducing the opening size.
During the summer of 2010, the inaugural Biennial of the Americas utilized the McNichols Building in a manner that generated a newfound interest in the building. The Phase I Redevelopment expanded upon this momentum by creating a successful assembly space beyond simply obtaining a certificate of occupancy; celebrating the legacy and historic fabric of the building and its surroundings; elevating the vision for Civic Center, the McNichols Building and their collective contribution to the City; and establishing the framework and inspiration for the model of sustainability. The addition of new public restrooms, site improvements, mechanical system upgrades, and returning the window openings to their original grandeur were all included in this first, but not last, phase of the building’s redevelopment.
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