Nestled on the west side of Denver’s Cheesman Park stands the Stoiber-Reed-Humphreys Mansion, a historic property built in 1907 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. It is one of the few remaining Denver mansions of its size and era, and when our client approached us about updating the landscape, they had one clear request: preserve the integrity of the space while introducing the comforts of a modern backyard.
What began as a simple request for a changing room by the pool quickly evolved into a full-scale project. The vision expanded to include a formal pool house with an outdoor kitchen, dining area, and dedicated changing rooms. Once the basic structure was sited, we brought in architect Steve Ekman of Ekman Design Studio to refine the details and ensure the new addition mirrored the scale and elegance of the original home.
To maintain cohesion, we aligned the new lap pool with the long axis of the existing pool and raised both the pool and pool house to the same elevation. This not only unified the space but also allowed the lap pool to serve as a reflective focal point, complementing the formal garden style.
The client also wanted a more relaxed area for entertaining. We constructed a fireplace under the existing cabana, carefully matching its design to the home’s exterior. This created a seamless architectural connection between the house and the landscape, making the backyard feel like a true extension of the home.
Every garden bed was either added or revised to reflect the formal style of a historic garden, honoring the property’s legacy while embracing its future. The result was a landscape that balanced classical elegance with contemporary living — a tribute to the mansion’s enduring presence in Denver’s history.
