Denver Magazine / Denver Magazine Summer 2008 / House Of Worship

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House Of Worship

Stunning Architecture, Beautiful Antiques and Old World Style Combine to Create a True Home Out of a Former Sanctuary

Soaring wood ceilings, beautiful stained glass, stunning carved wood and an air of serenity. Step

into any church or chapel of a certain age, and all these things are present. These buildings, many of which are works of art in themselves, serve as places of worship and congregation, places of community and fellowship. These beautiful architectural gems are a sanctuary for all who enter. What better environment to create a grand yet comforting home?

The Sanctuary at St. John's Gardens, a one-of-a-kind residential development in Cherry Creek North, has reinvented the sublime, bringing it to life as a stunning residence. Originally built as a church in 1903, the Sanctuary fell into private hands in the 1950s. Formerly the studio of artist Ramon Kelly, the building has been revived into a stunning architectural and design masterpiece.

The sleek, black double doors still hang on their original hinges. As one enters, the vestibule has been transformed into a foyer, with low ceilings and inviting accents. Stepping into the Sanctuary conjures all the usual images of warmth, stillness, comfort; this is immediately a place where one is welcome. Casting an eye about, the details are difficult to miss. The doors to the study are beautiful hand-carved wood from Italy, circa 1880. The travertine floors are polished to a subtle luster, and the soaring archway just inside the door draws the eye upward.

It is then the true magnificence of this space is brought forth. Just past the textured walls of the entryway, the ceilings soar to 35 feet and the entire great room displays its grand presence. The stunning wood ceilings and crossbeams are complemented by walnut floors. Holding court on one wall is a solid travertine marble fireplace, magnificently extending from floor to ceiling. On the other side of the room a custom staircase, in the same travertine, gracefully connects the upper and lower floors. The entire space is alive with warmth and elegance.

The knave has been transformed into an exquisite gourmet kitchen. Separated from the great room by a towering gothic archway, this sacred space, once the heart of the church, has become the living, breathing center of the home itself. Elaborately carved early-American antiques have been integrated into the island and the mantle above the stove. A custom, hand-laid tile mosaic accents the space under the mantle, again paying tribute to the Old World feel of this beautiful space. Gleaming modern appliances complement the wood and brick environment, combining old and new with incomparable style.

It is from this vantage point that the home's crown jewel is visible in its entire splendor. High above the master suite, a spectacular stained glass window catches the Colorado sunlight and filters it into multihued glory, bathing the space with sparkling light. The window, which is nearly as old as the Sanctuary itself, was once at home in a church in the Midwest. However, considering that its dimensions were nearly identical to the original opening, and the beauty of its seamless integration into this space, it seems perhaps it was made for exactly this purpose all along.

Each and every detail of the Sanctuary, from the rose window to the antiques to the marble for the staircase, was carefully selected to help balance the original purpose of the building with its position as a grand residence. Architects from D.H. Ruggles took their inspiration from the building's existing form and combined the details with European images and modern living concepts. The entire project was meant to maintain the integrity of the original construction while creating a livable space. "The church was an amazing structure with historic value and great bones," says architect Melissa Mabe-Sabanosh. "It was a wonderful challenge to work to retain those soaring ceilings and majestic windows while creating intimate spaces."

It is this combination that developer Tandem Destin/Big Hill hoped to accomplish when it purchased the Sanctuary in 2007 as the focal point of a new residential project. Tandem Destin had been searching for property in Cherry Creek North and happened upon the parcel of land containing the Sanctuary and the rectory house. Because the property had not been designated a historic landmark, and because of the desirability of location, the beautiful building was a vulnerable target for developers. Tandem Destin purchased the parcel, not with the idea of razing it to the ground, but in the hope of restoring it to grandeur and creating a magnificent residence that would respect its history while ushering in a new era.

In the quest to combine the old and new, the company extensively researched antiques to incorporate into the building. Hand-carved doors and cabinets were considered, while stone columns were planned for use in the garden. As the search continued, the general idea was to find pieces that would fit into the overall design and maintain the feel of the project. Many antiques that have not been incorporated into the Sanctuary will be used in the other planned residences within the project.

The integration of antiques provided a unique challenge for designer Diann Sill, but the end result was precisely what the space required. The design was developed to include the antique elements as if they had been part of the structure, and they contributed greatly to the details. "We used them to continue the use of embellishments that could never be accomplished in any other way," says Sill. "New details were blended to accent the antiques."

From grand spaces to religious connotations to form and function, the ultimate goal of the Sanctuary was to create a warm, inviting space. The integrity of the original building was maintained as much as possible, as in the master suite where the original wood beams crisscross through the drywall that was necessary to create the master bath and closet areas. In other cases, dramatic changes were pursued, such as the excavation of the crawl space below the stairs, to create a third level, which houses the wine cellar, media room and flexible space. Whether large renovations or small accents, everything was carefully considered for its contribution toward the overall livable elegance.

The entire St. John's Gardens project is focused on this same goal: creating a comfortable, graceful residential environment with an Old World European feel. The project, upon completion, will encompass the existing rectory house and the surrounding property into five other residences, as well as private and community gardens, and parking. The same attention to details and architectural elements will carry throughout the project.

The Sanctuary's transformation is nearly complete. While some areas have been left as a blank slate, the only real need now is for someone to live in it and continue its metamorphosis. This graceful residence presents a piece of history, a stylish home and a perfect place for entertaining. According to Mabe-Sabanosh, the owners will have the opportunity to "add to the building's history by living an inspired, comfortable and elegant life within its walls." In doing so, perhaps they will find that it truly is a sanctuary.