2025 Mayor's Design Awards
We are thrilled to announce that Semple Brown has been recognized with two Mayor's Design Awards, bringing our total to ten such honors throughout our firm's history. These awards celebrate our commitment to designing timeless and transformative spaces—spaces that contribute meaningfully to Denver's architectural landscape while fostering community connections.
Since 2005, the Mayor's Design Awards have honored projects throughout Denver for excellence in architecture, urban design, and placemaking. These awards recognize creative contributions to the public realm from homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others. Winners span from community placemaking initiatives to adaptive reuse of historic structures, from single-family residences to major mixed-use developments. Each brings something special to Denver's community.
Bruce Randolph Avenue Residences
Winner for Economic Development – Small Scale
With the Bruce Randolph Avenue Residences, we explored an underutilized housing typology in Denver's zoning code—the tandem house, which allows for two full-size single-family homes on a single lot. Located in Denver's Cole neighborhood, these "build-to-rent" homes reference the historic "Denver Square" form while each maintaining a distinct architectural identity. The front home features stucco and a traditional hipped roof, while the rear home surprises with its brick facade and parapet roof. This project addresses the "missing middle" housing gap by increasing density while respecting neighborhood scale. It offers rental housing with the quality and privacy of single-family homes, providing an alternative to apartment living while maintaining proximity to downtown and transit options. This modest intervention demonstrates how small-scale projects can help address housing challenges while enhancing neighborhood character.
Tears-McFarlane House and Secret Garden Bar & Café
Winner for Community and Culture
The Tears-McFarlane House project exemplifies our approach to honoring history while creating new possibilities for community connection. This 124-year-old designated city landmark has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined as offices for City Street Investors and Capitol Hill United Neighbors, with the historic dining room serving as both workspace and community event space. By replacing an accessory building with the welcoming Secret Garden Bar & Café, we've activated the edge of Cheesman Park, creating a vibrant gathering place for neighbors and visitors. The project demonstrates how historic preservation can go beyond freezing buildings in time—instead, thoughtful adaptation breathes new life into cherished structures, ensuring their relevance for future generations while fostering community gathering and conversation.
A Commitment to Clients and the Community
These awards reflect our ongoing dedication to creating spaces that serve both their users and the broader community. While our work varies widely, our driving purpose is singular: we design timeless, transformative spaces through deep collaboration with our clients. We're honored to be recognized by the Mayor's Design Awards program, but also want to thank our clients for being so participatory in our design process.
Learn more about all the 2025 Mayor's Design Award recipients:
Mayor Johnston Announces 2025 Mayor's Design Awards Winners
Congratulations to all the other great projects that won awards!
