frederick ross
Frederick Ross founded Frederick Ross & Co. in 1888 – a real estate company that touched almost every corner of Colorado. The company, now called Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, has built Denver’s skyline for over 125 years.
At 22 years old, Ross moved to Colorado to help alleviate symptoms of his tuberculosis. Under his leadership and partnership with other business leaders at the time, Ross worked to secure water rights for the city and oversaw the planning of the Moffat Tunnel, which provided a way for water to travel through the Continental Divide. He worked alongside elected officials to transform what was once a slum into what we now know as Civic Center Park. He improved the Denver Public Library and was instrumental in helping build the library’s first permanent facility at Colfax and Bannock in 1910.
Ross also envisioned housing beyond the central business district. He helped develop the Country Club Place subdivision near the Denver Country Club, as well as the Park Hill subdivision. Ross’ impact extends decades – Frederick Ross & Co is one of the only real estate companies to span from the 20th to the 21st century.
Ross served as President of the Denver Board of Water Commissioners, charter member of Denver’s Planning Commission, and a member of the Denver Parks Committee appointed by the Mayor, which oversaw the acquisition of Red Rocks, Evergreen, Summit, and Echo Lake parks. In 1915, he worked hand-in-hand with the Joint Committee of the Real Estate Exchange and Chamber of Commerce who persuaded Congress to create one of Colorado’s most iconic parks – Rocky Mountain National Park. When he passed away in 1938, his will outlined the formation of the Ross Library Trust, securing funds for the building of branch libraries across the state.
At 22 years old, Ross moved to Colorado to help alleviate symptoms of his tuberculosis. Under his leadership and partnership with other business leaders at the time, Ross worked to secure water rights for the city and oversaw the planning of the Moffat Tunnel, which provided a way for water to travel through the Continental Divide. He worked alongside elected officials to transform what was once a slum into what we now know as Civic Center Park. He improved the Denver Public Library and was instrumental in helping build the library’s first permanent facility at Colfax and Bannock in 1910.
Ross also envisioned housing beyond the central business district. He helped develop the Country Club Place subdivision near the Denver Country Club, as well as the Park Hill subdivision. Ross’ impact extends decades – Frederick Ross & Co is one of the only real estate companies to span from the 20th to the 21st century.
Ross served as President of the Denver Board of Water Commissioners, charter member of Denver’s Planning Commission, and a member of the Denver Parks Committee appointed by the Mayor, which oversaw the acquisition of Red Rocks, Evergreen, Summit, and Echo Lake parks. In 1915, he worked hand-in-hand with the Joint Committee of the Real Estate Exchange and Chamber of Commerce who persuaded Congress to create one of Colorado’s most iconic parks – Rocky Mountain National Park. When he passed away in 1938, his will outlined the formation of the Ross Library Trust, securing funds for the building of branch libraries across the state.