The Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion is one of those gorgeous old mansions that makes my heart beat a little bit faster when I drive by. Located at 2160 South Cook Street, the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion was built in 1893 in the historic Observatory Park neighborhood of Denver, close to the famous Chamberlins Observatory and just east of the University of Denver.
Designed by an architectural firm from New York, the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion was commissioned by Elizabeth Iliff who was the widow of John Wesley Iliff, a wealthy Cattle Baron and Denver Philanthropist. John Iliff died in 1878 from gall bladder complications leaving 34 year old Elizabeth behind with 4 children to raise. Elizabeth named the Mansion Fitzroy after her hometown of Fitzroy, Ontario. 
After her husband's death, Elizabeth moved forward and successfully ran her late husband's business and eventually built Fitzroy Place. Built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the large Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion was built with red stone, three story's and conveniences that were uncommon for the time. Such inclusions were an elevator, indoor plumbing, a central vacuum system, an air cooling system and a refrigeration system in the basement for food preservation. Elaborate fireplaces were installed in most of the rooms and the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion was meticulously furnished by Elizabeth Iliff with many items still present today. There was also a story and a half carriage house built on the property.
Eventually, Elizabeth Iliff re-married. Her new husband was Henry White Warren, the Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1910, a fire started in the basement and damaged much of the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion. The restoration of the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion took several years to complete and Elizabeth Iliff Warren did return to the Mansion and lived there until her death in 1920.
Mrs. Iliff's daughter, Louise Iliff, lived at The Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion until her death in 1966. After Louise Iliff's death, the Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion became home to the Randell-Moore School.
In 1977, the Randel-Moore School merged with Accelerated Schools. In 1984, the name of the school was formally changed to Accelerated Schools.
The Fitzroy Place/Warren-Iliff Mansion has been inducted into the National Historical and the Denver Historical Society.
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