Mid-Century Neighborhoods
Apple Blossom Lane In Westminster
H. A. Swanson & Associates . . .
Located at 99th & Huron in Northglenn is a noteworthy development of semi-custom homes on a hillside called Deza Estates that has deservedly received a lot of notoriety in recent years for the quality of its architecture. While we know who the builder of Deza Estates is, H.A. Swanson & Associates, nothing is known about who designed the homes there, except that it was clearly someone of some talent. Shortly before Deza Estates, Swanson also built a set of homes here in Apple Blossom Lane, all in a single group along the north side of West 79th Avenue. While I recommend seeing the homes throughout Apple Blossom Lane, the Swanson homes are definitely the most architecturally eye-catching models, especially as a single streetscape along 79th, where the homes relate wonderfully to each other along the street.
The city of Northglenn received a grant in 2020 to hire a professional historian to help uncover some of the mysteries of Deza Estates, which will hopefully benefit the homeowners on 79th Avenue, and those in the nearby Fairview neighborhood, where Swanson is also known to have built a set of homes.
“Modern living at its best!”
Conveniently located right along the Denver-Boulder Turnpike (Highway US-36), Apple Blossom Lane in Westminster, Colorado is an affordable mixed-style neighborhood featuring a variety of mid-mod homes by different builders, along with brick mid-century charming ranch homes.
Built from approximately 1955-59, Apple Blossom Lane features a total of 90 mid-mods scattered throughout the neighborhood. There is a noteworthy variety of mid-mod designs, thanks largely to the large number of builders that were working in the neighborhood at once. While it is unclear how, or if the neighborhood’s lots were divided up between these builders, original advertising from 1955 by master developer, Western Realty Co., listed 8 firms from which buyers could buy their home: Ray Glebe, Inc., Harvey A. Duerst, J. A. Robuck, James W. Shelton, H. A. Swanson (of Deza Estates fame), Henry S. Wheaton, Woodman Builders, and Dunham Builders. A ninth firm, Sheffield Homes, aggressively advertised their homes in 1956, with both modern and traditional offerings.
The site of Apple Blossom Lane was a former apple orchard (hence the name), and it’s said that each lot received one of the trees, some of which are still alive. While there is a street that runs through the edge of the neighborhood called Appleblossom Lane (notice the compound word used in the street name), the neighborhood covers several blocks and sits on the northwest corner of the Federal Blvd/Highway US-36 interchange. The new Denver-Boulder Turnpike, built in the 1950s, created a boom of new home development along the corridor, and easy access to downtown Denver was a selling point of all of the communities built along the highway. Even today, Apple Blossom Lane is only a short drive from downtown on most days.
Apple Blossom Lane Today . . .
Apple Blossom Lane offers a great opportunity to find a relatively affordable mid-mod home with easy access to the city, and interesting architectural design. While the size of many of the homes places them in the category of starter homes, there are some that have basements, offering expanded living spaces. The architectural variety throughout the neighborhood and the presence of many long-time owners make this a charming neighborhood to consider for your future home.
Location of Apple Blossom Lane
Apple Blossom Lane is located at 79th & Lowell in Westminster, Colorado.
Advertisements for Apple Blossom Lane
Buy, sell, design and preserve with me!
Are you interested in buying or selling a mid-century modern home in Arvada’s Alta Vista or another Denver area neighborhood? As a real estate and design advisor for “Mid-Century Modernaires,” Adrian Kinney can help! Call, text, direct-message, or email Adrian today.
Mid-Century Homes in Westminster
