Huntington Central Park Bandshell and Central Park

1212 Canyon Boulevard/ Glen Huntington architect / Art Deco style/ built 1938/ gifted to the city and erected by the Boulder Lions Club/ Historic Landmark

While this structure predates the MCM era, it is an iconic early Modernist design that expresses the progressive spirit of Boulder. The bandshell's strong form of six concentric arches that taper toward the back of the stage is derived from 1930s-era theaters in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. This geometric design was also used by the architect for the Boulder High School auditorium. The front arch is anchored by two thick buttresses at the ground, and the elevated stage can be reached by steps on either side. The primary materials are a concrete base supporting painted acoustic panels that are framed in wood.

The concept for the bandshell and the associated seating first appeared in the masterplan that was created by Saco De Boer, a well-known landscape architect and planner. It was declared a city landmark in 1995.

Status: Even after achieving landmark protection there have been proposals to demolish the bandshell as a part of an overall re-imagining of Central Park.