Ford Street Collective

This project, located within Golden’s East Street Historic District, preserves the existing 1870s single family home while adding two new residential units along the alley. The original structure will remain intact, with interior upgrades and the removal of non-contributing rear elements to modernize the home for current living standards while supporting long-term preservation efforts.

The new rear building introduces two units that are carefully designed to reduce visual impact from both the street and alley. By incorporating half-stories and split-level stairs, the design minimizes perceived height and bulk, aligning within the district’s architectural standards. The site plan is designed with a shared outdoor space at the center of the lot. Resident’s units face onto this courtyard where neighborly interactions and community building are encouraged. Outdoor deck spaces above the garages activate the alley frontage and provide private outdoor areas for residents. The design also takes advantage of the natural grade change between the alley and yard, using split-level entries to provide access to all levels while maintaining a low overall building profile.

The project successfully secured historic preservation approval, along with a form type zone major amendment to combine form types (Compound of Attached and Detached Cottage Units) under Golden’s Municipal Code.