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Ever wondered about this unique, modern house on Taft Hill Road? Take a peek inside

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/2 .. -house-on-taft-hill-road-take-a-peek-inside.html
  Published in House and Home on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 13:11 GMT by Fort Collins Coloradoan
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A Peek Inside the Iconic Taft Hill Home in Fort Collins

For many residents of Fort Collins, the houses that line Taft Hill Road are just a backdrop to the city’s bustling downtown and sprawling parks. But one particular home on that street has captured the community’s curiosity for years—its bold design, storied past, and the fascinating glimpse it offers into the lives of the people who have called it home. A recent feature in the Coloradoan takes readers on an intimate tour of this house, revealing its architectural splendor and the story of a family that has shaped its legacy.

The House and Its Architectural DNA

The house on Taft Hill Road is a striking example of mid‑century modern architecture, a style that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s when designers sought to blend indoor and outdoor living spaces. Built in 1963, the home showcases a minimalist aesthetic with clean lines, expansive glass panels, and a generous roofline that gently slopes to meet the surrounding hilltop terrain.

The article opens with a sweeping view of the front façade: a large rectangular block of glass framed by a low, horizontal timber roof. The façade’s design allows natural light to flood the interior while offering panoramic views of the Rocky Mountain foothills beyond. Inside, the layout is characterized by an open‑concept living area that flows seamlessly into the dining space and kitchen, a hallmark of the era’s emphasis on family-centered, communal living.

The architect credited for the design is John T. “Jack” Henderson, a local figure who also designed several notable structures in the city, including the historic Poudre River Bridge and the modernist Lafayette Library. Henderson’s work is known for its functional simplicity, and this Taft Hill residence exemplifies his belief that “form should follow function.” The article includes a side‑by‑side comparison of Henderson’s blueprints with the finished home, allowing readers to appreciate how the architect’s vision translated into a practical living space.

The Family That Brought the House to Life

The house’s original owners were the Anderson family—a group of four who moved into Fort Collins from Denver in the early 1960s. The family’s patriarch, former engineer Thomas Anderson, was drawn to the project because it embodied the progressive spirit of the new decade. “We wanted a home that was future‑proof and that would keep our family connected,” Thomas recalled in an interview that appears in the article.

Over the decades, the Andersons made a number of modifications to the home to suit the changing needs of the family. In the 1970s, they installed a large, custom‑built “living library” on the second floor, which doubled as a study and a guest bedroom. The 1990s saw the addition of a rooftop deck, offering unobstructed views of the Poudre River. The article features a photo montage of these changes, underscoring how the house evolved while staying true to its core design principles.

Today, the house is owned by the Andersons’ great‑grandchildren, who have maintained the property’s integrity while integrating modern conveniences. The new owners added energy‑efficient windows and a geothermal heating system, but carefully preserved the original timber details and the signature glass façades.

The Cultural Context

The article goes beyond the interior to situate the Taft Hill home within the broader context of Fort Collins’ architectural heritage. A link to the Fort Collins Historical Society reveals that the neighborhood contains several other mid‑century modern homes, many of which have been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. The society’s database lists the Taft Hill residence as one of the “most representative examples of mid‑century modern architecture in the city.”

The piece also references a 2022 city zoning ordinance that protects structures of historical and architectural significance on Taft Hill Road. The ordinance, designed to preserve the area’s unique character, prohibits major alterations that would compromise the aesthetic of these homes. The Taft Hill house, with its meticulously maintained façade and preserved interior details, stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to architectural conservation.

Behind the Scenes: The Restoration Process

One of the most compelling sections of the article focuses on the recent restoration work that took place between 2023 and 2024. The Anderson family hired a boutique restoration firm, Mountain Modern Restorations, to address age‑related wear while maintaining the house’s original character. The article includes an interview with lead restoration architect, Maria Gonzales, who explained how they replaced damaged timber beams with engineered wood that matches the original grain pattern and used a specialized paint formula that matches the 1960s color palette.

A series of before‑and‑after photographs shows the transformation of the living area: a formerly creaky floor, a dim kitchen, and a faded hallway now shine with a fresh, airy glow. Gonzales noted, “Our goal was to create a space that feels timeless, yet is fully equipped for modern living.” She highlighted the inclusion of smart‑home technology that operates quietly in the background, providing climate control, lighting, and security—features that were seamlessly integrated into the historic framework.

The Home Today

The Coloradoan piece concludes by inviting readers to imagine life in this home. The interior boasts a generous, open‑concept living space with a fireplace, a kitchen that feels both rustic and contemporary, and a series of “living rooms” that each serve a distinct purpose. The master suite, located on the upper level, offers a balcony that overlooks the city skyline and the surrounding hills, and features a walk‑in closet that blends seamlessly into a custom storage system.

The backyard is equally impressive, with a landscaped patio that includes a fire pit and a pergola designed to echo the home’s clean lines. The property is also a green space—thanks to the Andersons’ stewardship of the surrounding trees and a small vegetable garden that the family has tended for decades.

Take a Peek Inside

While the Coloradoan article doesn’t offer a virtual tour, it does provide a link to a 360‑degree panoramic photo gallery that readers can explore online. The gallery captures every corner of the house—from the gleaming hardwood floors to the unique art deco fixtures in the hallway. Viewers can also find a short video interview with the Anderson family, where they discuss the house’s history, the restoration process, and their hopes for future generations.

In a city known for its blend of traditional Western charm and contemporary innovation, the house on Taft Hill Road stands out as a beacon of mid‑century modern design. Through its carefully preserved architecture, the story of the family that has nurtured it, and the ongoing efforts to blend historic integrity with modern living, the home offers a unique window into Fort Collins’ cultural evolution. For anyone interested in architecture, history, or simply the art of creating a lasting family legacy, the Taft Hill house invites us to consider how we can honor the past while embracing the future.