Merrill H. Hoyt


Merrill H. Hoyt was a prominent American architect, business man and leader in the building design community of Denver, Colorado from 1910 to 1933.

Early years 1881 - 1899

Born in North Denver on May 18th, 1881, Merrill H. Hoyt grew up in the house located at . He was the eldest son of Lydia Tompkins Hoyt and Wallace Hoyt, a carriage designer who emigrated from New Brunswick, Canada. He is the eldest brother of Architect Burnham F. Hoyt. As a boy, Merrill earned money delivering newspapers and working in the fields of local farms. After graduating from Denver's North High School, he decided to train for a career in architecture.

Later years 1899 - 1933

In 1899, he was hired by the prestigious firm of William Fisher, Architect where he learned the trade as a draftsman at first and later as a superintendent. On October 4, 1907, he married Ethel Fowler in Silver Bow, Montana. The couple and daughter Grace lived in his boyhood neighborhood at . In 1915, he started his own architectural practice, which later became M.H. and B. Hoyt, Architects when his brother Burnham joined the firm in 1919. The firm prospered in the 1920s and is credited with the design of many of Denver's iconic buildings of the era. Their designs embraced various historical styles including Greek revival, Romanesque and Spanish revival. Together they designed residential, commercial, academic and religious buildings. On February 11,1933, Architect Merrill H. Hoyt suffered a sudden heart attack at a dinner party and died at age 52.

Civic and professional engagement

Merrill H Hoyt was an active and respected member of Denver design, business and cultural community. He served as a President and vice president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the secretary of the Allied Architects Association who designed the City and County Building of Denver, and vice president of the Denver Building and Loan Association. He was active in his Masonic Lodge, the Denver Art Museum, Motor Club of Colorado, , and a member of the Denver Athletic Club.

Credited buildings (partial list)