DREAM HOMES by Dan Greeson
207
Ninth Street
Built to Last
STEP INSIDE 207 Ninth Street and you’re not just crossing a threshold—you’re traveling through time. This structure is a love letter to meticulous craftsmanship and a gateway to a bygone era. Each cobblestone and pane of glass speaks of a community rich in history and eager to preserve it. 78
Winter 2023
Also known as the Cloverdale House, 207 Ninth Street was built in 1918 by Art Gumprecht, a German-born, Nebraska-raised builder renowned for his craftsmanship. “Art Gumprecht built many, many buildings of all different kinds in Steamboat Springs,” says Arianthe Stettner, board member emeritus for Historic Routt County. “He was a fabulous craftsman —a master builder.” Gumprecht’s other works include the chapel of the Steamboat Springs Episcopal Church, the Mesa Schoolhouse, and the cabinetry at FM Light & Sons. “We know that we’ve got a historic structure that’s well-built if Art Gumprecht was involved,” Stettner says. “He built to last.” At the Cloverdale House, the use of local river cobble lends a timeless character to the property. Joel Anderson, a stonemason of Swedish descent, played a crucial role in crafting the river cobble elements adorning the building’s exterior. “River cobble was a very common material in the early days of Steamboat Springs, because of proximity to the Yampa River,” Stettner says. Because of the property’s historic designation, its owners have been required to reconstruct and repair cobblestone elements with each renovation. Over the decades, 207 Ninth Street has taken on various identities without losing its essence. Originally a private residence, it evolved into the Cloverdale Restaurant, and now houses the Yampa Valley Kitchen, owned by Hannah Hopkins. The current iteration of the property seamlessly blends past with present through the meticulous work of Jeremy MacGray and the team at JSM Builders. “It’s all about sustainability,” Stettner says. “It’s all about reusing the historic materials in a sensitive configuration to work for the future. And I think that JSM did a great job of being sensitive to the historic character of that building—restoring the floor, keeping the room configuration, and keeping the original windows.” 207 Ninth Street is not just a building; it is a witness to the passage of time, the growth and transformation of Steamboat Springs, and the craftsmanship and dedication of its builders and renovators. It is a true window to the past. Art with Altitude