The Carey “Holiday Homes” are a set of nicely designed 2-4 bedroom modern homes built on the north side of Harvey Park, across the street from Riviera Lake. The homes feature post-and-beam construction, floor-to-ceiling glass, vaulted ceilings, clerestory windows, brick exteriors, integrated carports, and optional basements.

The homes were designed by the Denver-based architecture firm Baume & Polivnick, and were part of the 1954 & 1955 Parade of Homes. The developer, Lou Carey proved very effective at promoting these homes, with large illustrated advertisements and newspaper articles about the development. In 2007, a Carey Holiday Home was featured in an issue of Atomic Ranch Magazine.

The houses were built in two phases, the first being on Vrain and Utica between Evans and Jewell in 1954, and the second phase being on the hill south of Riviera Lake stretching east to Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy (formerly Kunsmiller Middle School) in 1955. The second phase homes were referred to as the “Executive Models.” Marketed toward “young executives” (and their wives), these homes are larger and better appointed than their counterparts down the hill.

The Denver Public Library Western History archive has photos of the Carey Holiday Homes from the 1954 Parade of Homes, when they were brand new. We can't post the photos here without paying a hefty fee - but here are links to the photos! Enjoy - they are really fabulous!

• Modest home—View of a brick and frame house in the Holiday subdivision, in Denver, Colorado; the California bungalow style residence has a car port.
• Modest home—View of a brick and frame California bungalow style house in the Holiday subdivision, in Denver, Colorado. Fence label reads: “Elgar Fence.”
• Modest home interior—Interior view of a Holiday subdivision home, in Denver, Colorado; decor includes lamps, chairs, potted plants, chairs, couches, a fireplace and ash trays.
• Modest home interior—Interior view of a Holiday subdivision home in Denver, Colorado; kitchen decor includes a stove, oven, refrigerator, dresser, wallpaper, and linoleum. Signs read: “Holiday Features Komac Paints, No. 1 Oak Flooring, Formica Counter Tops, Garbage Disposer Sudspray." ”
• Holiday subdivision—View of Holiday subdivision homes in Denver, Colorado; shows California bungalow style residences with carports, lawns, and flower beds of iris.
• Modest home—View of a Holiday subdivision home, in Denver, Colorado; the California bungalow style residence has a carport and a Buick automobile.
• Modest home interior—Interior view of a Holiday subdivision home in Denver, Colorado; the California bungalow style residence has decor including couches, chairs, a fireplace, lamps, a painting, Buddha sculptures, and a plant alcove.
• Modest home interior—Interior view of a Holiday subdivision home bedroom in Denver, Colorado; the California bungalow style residence has decor including fiberglass lamp shades, drapes, ashtrays, a striped bed cover, and ceramic donkey planters.
• Modest home interior—Interior view of a Holiday subdivision home kitchen in Denver, Colorado; the California bungalow style residence has decor including an oven, porcelain sink, ceiling lamps, a table, chairs, potted plant, and wire fish sculptures.
• Carey Construction—People tour Carey Construction model homes in Denver, Colorado; one is in the California Bungalow style.

Joe Average Gets Modern: Denver’s Midcentury American Dream

Bromley Davenport; Atomic Ranch Magazine; Fall 2007

Atomic Ranch tours a well renovated Carey Holiday Home on Utica.

www.atomic-ranch.com