Iconic Denver7 Building at 123 Speer Is Gone: A Look Back at Its History

A building that stood in the heart of Denver, Colorado, and served as the headquarters for a major broadcaster has been demolished.

History of Colorado’s KMGH Building

The building, which was home to news station KMGH, better known as Denver7, stood at 123 Speer Boulevard. Known as the Communications Center, the building was five stories tall and had eight sides.

While KMGH officially moved into the building in 1969, the news station began broadcasting in the Mile High City long before that.

History of Colorado’s KMGH News Station

Today, KMGH serves as a television news channel that goes by the name of Denver7.

However, prior to bearing the call letters KMGH, channel 7 in Denver first signed on the air on November 1, 1953, with the call letters KLZ. Launched by the Oklahoma Publishing Company, which was operated by Edward Gaylord, the station was eventually sold to Time Inc., then to McGraw-Hill in 1970.

Presently, KMGH is an ABC affiliate and is owned by the EW Scripps Company.

Colorado’s KMGH Headquarters was a Brutalist Building

The now-demolished building at 123 Speer in Denver was known as a Brutalist building.

This style of architecture originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s and was known for its minimalist style, lacking decorative features in favor of functionality.

Brutalist buildings are traditionally comprised of brick or concrete, typically unpainted, and incorporate geometric shapes.

Prior to demolition, the building was notorious for being a target for vandals and was considered one of the most derelict and neglected buildings in the area.

KMGH currently operates out of a new location just north of Coors Field.

Check out the full story here.