Avery Building

One of Downtown’s Most Iconic Landmarks

The Avery Building was constructed in 1901 by Franklin C. Avery as the home of First National Bank. Over more than a century, it became one of the most recognized structures in Fort Collins — one of only three flat-iron style buildings that bookend the Old Town triangle. The 33,379 square foot building occupies a prominent corner at College Avenue and Mountain Avenue, with a third façade facing Old Town Square.

By the mid-2000s, the building’s exterior had deteriorated significantly. Crumbling brick and stone, inconsistent storefront features, and dated finishes had accumulated over decades of layered renovations. In 2007, the building changed hands for just the third time since its construction, and the new ownership group committed to a full exterior restoration.

Three Façades, One Comprehensive Restoration

The rehabilitation addressed all three street-facing facades simultaneously — a scope that reflected both the building’s visibility and its importance to the pedestrian environment of downtown. The work followed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, which guided decisions on materials, proportions, and detailing throughout.

Key elements of the restoration included:

• Masonry repointing and selective replacement using materials matched to the originals through physical analysis
• Storefront reconstruction guided by historic photographs and remaining original fabric
• A glass-reinforced concrete cornice replicating the original sheet metal design
• Dual-pane glazing integrated for energy efficiency while maintaining historic proportions
• Full restoration of the prominent corner entrance at College and Mountain, removing later infill and false stone to reveal and repair the original opening

How the DDA Façade Grant Program Works

The DDA’s Façade Grant Program provides matching funds — up to 50% of eligible exterior improvement costs — for buildings that face a public right-of-way. When owners invest in restoring their buildings’ exteriors, the DDA participates as a co-investor and secures a facade easement in return.

A facade easement is a legal interest in the property that requires the owner to maintain the restored exterior in good condition for a defined term. The easement term scales with the size of the investment — larger contributions carry longer commitments. This structure allows the DDA to leverage private capital toward public benefit without taking on ongoing management responsibilities.

For the Avery Building, the DDA approved grants across all three facades, with the actual investment matching the original commitment exactly: no change orders, no variance.

A Cornerstone of the Old Town Triangle

The Avery Building sits at one of the most trafficked intersections in Fort Collins — the corner of College and Mountain, steps from Old Town Square. Its restoration set a visible standard for what historic rehabilitation can accomplish when public and private investment work together.

The building continues to anchor the commercial heart of downtown, its restored facades reflecting the character and quality of a district that has invested steadily in its own longevity.