1250 Humboldt Street has stood adjacent to Cheesman Park since it was built in 1965. Now the Embassy House condominiums, it was originally an apartment building constructed by owner and Denver real estate developer Irwin Horwitz with his company the Eight Eleven Corporation. At a cost of $2 million to construct, 1250 Humboldt Street offered virtually every modern convenience of the time. The Embassy House had an all-weather red carpet that led to the front door which was met by Denver’s first concierge, who presided in full uniform. Designed by architects Richard DeGette and Harry McMichael, it featured a “new-to-Denver system of climate control” for all the units and introduced Denver’s first electronic sentry watchdog installation. Other amenities of the property included underground parking, a hand ball court, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna, and steam rooms.
Richard DeGette and Harry McMichael practiced architecture in Denver from the late 1950s until the mid 1980s. DeGette, although now best known as the father of long-time Colorado Congresswoman, Diana DeGette, also designed the Regency Inn (now Regency Student Housing), located near I-25 and the 38th Avenue exit, with its prominent geodesic dome.
