Midland Savings & Loan (1969) - Boulder 'Atrium' government office building

From the plaza between the Midland Savings / Atrium building and the Dushanbe teahouse you get a good view of this unique building. It has had two different uses over its 54-year life. The first, as a savings & loan, provided low-cost home mortgages for the working class in the 1970’s. Affordable housing spurred the rapid population growth of Boulder in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80's.

The second use has been as a government office and policy center. The city government had to expand to meet the needs of the growing city. The former bank building was repurposed for government use and continues to this day.

Also of importance is the unique architectural design. This unusual pyramidal-shaped building was a progressive and dramatic expression of the innovative nature that Boulder had been developing since the 1950’s. It was designed by the firm of Hobart Wagener, the most successful of the modern era architecture companies in Boulder. Some of their other designs include the Ball Aerospace headquarters, several churches, dormitories at CU, and schools, including Centennial, Southern Hills and Fairview.

The final stop on the tour is the Dushanbe Teahouse. Walk to the plaza in front of the building.