Recap: DAF Tour: Fruitdale School Lofts

DAF  held this tour of the Fruitdale School Lofts on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24. 

About the tour: Fruitdale School Lofts is master architect Temple Hoyne Buell’s oldest remaining school building, completed in 1927 and redeveloped into 16 affordable apartments in 2017. The restored property is 100% solar-powered and is the result of a partnership between Hartman Ely Investments, the City of Wheat Ridge, the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority and many other investors/lenders. Fruitdale also produces local food for its residents (apples, cherries, pears, plums and blackberries) and won many awards for its sustainable and sensitive adaptive reuse.

About the site: A two-story 1927 ornamental brick building with 1930 and 1950 additions, on a 1.5 acre site.

About the tour guides: Jim Hartman, Co-owner of Hartman Ely Investments (HEI), has been one of Colorado’s leading experts on urban infill, historic building adaptive reuse, redevelopment and energy-efficiency/renewable energy for the past 40 years. HEI’s mission is Creating Sustainable Communities and their notable projects include urban infill, adaptive reuse and renewable energy developments throughout metro Denver. Prior to forming HEI in 2000, Jim was Vice President of Design and Construction at National Properties, and prior to that, Historic Projects Director and Senior Associate as a registered architect at Fentress Bradburn Architects.

Susan Ely, Co-owner of Hartman Ely Investments (HEI), grew up in Australia and moved to Colorado in 1993. She received her architectural degree in 1986 from the University of Melbourne, Australia and practiced in Australia for several years. Susan is HEI’s Business Manager and is in charge of all administrative functions of the company.