Shangri-La (house)

Shangri-La is a Streamline Moderne mansion in Denver, Colorado, United States. Commissioned by Denver movie theater magnate Harry E. Huffman and designed by architect Raymond Harry Ervin, it is a replica of the fictional monastery featured in the 1937 film Lost Horizon. Built on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) tract of land in 1937–38, it was occupied by Huffman and his wife until 1969. Beginning in 1962, the west lawn was subdivided and populated with additional upscale housing, including Cableland, and the circular drive was remapped as Shangri La Drive. The current owners of the house are A. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld.

Shangri-La
EtymologyFictional valley in the 1937 film Lost Horizon
General information
StatusComplete
TypeResidence
Architectural styleStreamline Moderne with Art Deco elements
LocationDenver, Colorado, US
AddressShangri La Drive
Coordinates39.7140°N 104.9379°W / 39.7140; -104.9379
Completed1938
OwnerA. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld
Technical details
Floor count2
Floor area8,000 square feet (740 m2)
Grounds5-acre (2.0 ha)
Design and construction
ArchitectRaymond Harry Ervin
Other information
Number of rooms13

History

The 5-acre (2.0 ha) tract of land on which the house and its grounds originally stood was purchased by Denver movie theater owner Harry E. Huffman in the mid-1930s. Huffman hired Denver architect Raymond Harry Ervin to design the structure, which he and his wife Christine wanted to replicate the fictional monastery featured in the 1937 film Lost Horizon.[1][2][3][4] Ervin reportedly referred to the plans for the model constructed on the Columbia Ranch film set to produce his 1937 design.[1][5][6] Construction was completed in 1938.[5] The house was named Shangri-La after the fictional valley featured in Lost Horizon.[5]

The house was noted as one of the "finest buildings" in Denver in a 1939 survey by Architectural Record.[6] The 1951 issue of Popular Gardening and Living Outdoors cited Mrs. Huffman's picturesque garden, which included a large section of four-leaf clovers.[7]

The house was initially located outside the city. Its original address was 13 Leetsdale Drive. Huffman and his wife hosted gala parties here, inviting many prominent guests from the business and entertainment worlds.[8]

Subdivision of grounds

Beginning in 1962, the west lawn was subdivided and built up with additional upscale homes. These included Cableland, owned by Bill Daniels, which was bequeathed to the City of Denver for use as the official mayoral residence after Daniels' death.[9] Shangri-La's circular drive was remapped as Shangri La Drive.[9]

Later owners

Huffman's nieces inherited the mansion when he died in 1969. They sold it to David Rumbough, a 21-year-old student at the University of Denver who had toured the mansion along with nearly 10,000 other visitors during a 1971 Designer Show House tour benefitting the Children's Hospital Fund.[9][10] Rumbough listed the house for sale after four years, but died in a boating accident before it was sold.[9]

The mansion was purchased from Rumbough's estate by A. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld, both Denver natives. A. Barry Hirschfeld owned a printing company established by his grandfather in 1907 as well as a real estate firm; his wife is a committee member of many local boards and organizations.[9]

Description

Shangri-La is a two-story mansion in Streamline Moderne style.[11] The façade is white with "silver trim and accents".[8] It is fronted by a two-story Art Deco entrance made of concrete and glass block.[3][9]

Inside the entrance hall is a sweeping staircase to the upper floor, as in the film model.[5] The interior includes 13 rooms, with a total floor space of 8,000 square feet (740 m2).[8]

The house is notable for having maintained its original architectural appearance and landscaping plan.[3][9]

References
  1. Bretz 2005, p. 171.
  2. Noel & Norgren 1987, p. 197.
  3. Paglia, Michael (December 9, 1999). "Disappearing Legacy". Westword. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  4. Leonard & Noel 1990, p. 158.
  5. Wharton, David (Fall 2013). "Denver Deco" (PDF). Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine. pp. 20–23.
  6. "Architect Raymond Harry Ervin (1900–1969)". National Register of Historic Places. July 19, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  7. Popular Gardening and Living Outdoors 1951, p. 47.
  8. Bretz 2005, pp. 171–2.
  9. Bretz 2005, p. 172.
  10. Auxiliary of The Children's Hospital (1971). "Denver Children's Hospital designers showhouse : Shangri-la". worldcat.org. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  11. Noel & Norgren 1987, p. 77.

Sources
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