MasonMorse Building Looking for Historic Designation Incentive, ADN

The Historic Preservation Commission on Jan. 25 passed the plan on conceptual approval, and city staff considers the building “a ‘best’ example of the modernist style in Aspen (except for the recent stone veneer, the building has not been greatly altered since construction),” city historic preservation officer Amy Guthrie wrote in a memo.

DOWNTOWN ASPEN REAL ESTATE - Owners of the Mason Morse building on Hyman Avenue in downtown Aspen are asking for a voluntary historic designation, as well as permission to build a new third-floor penthouse. Located at 514 E. Hyman Ave., across the street from Little Annie’s Eating House, the 1971 Mason Morse building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright-trained Aspen architect Robin Molny in a modernist style. In a 1990 remodel, the building’s facade was redone with stone, obscuring Molny’s original design concept. The building’s owner, Mason and Morse, Inc., is proposing to restore the building’s facade to its previous modernist form. In exchange for the voluntary historic designation, the applicant is asking to be able to build a 1,900-square-foot third story condo on top of the existing two-story building. Underlying zoning would normally limit the condo to just under 1,500 square feet. The condo would be set back 15 feet from the roofline of the second story. Council will hold a public hearing on the plan March 12.
By Curtis Wackerle, Feb. 14, 2012 ADN

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Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Mason Morse