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The Mansion completed in 1893 was designed by Fuller and Wheeler, New York architects, and was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style that was extremely popular on the east coast. The architects were noted for the numerous educational buildings they designed both in the United States and overseas. Constructed of red stone, the Mansion is large - three floors, a full basement, a carriage house and had running water.
It also had several unusual features for a home in those days - an elevator, a central vacuum system and an air cooling system for the first and second floors as well as a refrigeration system in the basement for meat and other perishable items. Many of the original furnishings and decorative pieces acquired by Mrs. Iliff in the U.S. and abroad, such as chandeliers, tapestries, paintings and other artifacts, still enhance the interior beauty of the Mansion.
The Mansion was commissioned by Elizabeth Iliff Warren, widow of John Wesley Iliff, a successful cattle baron and Denver philanthropist. He died in 1878 of a gall bladder obstruction, leaving Elizabeth Warren, at 34, with four children and cattle and a land empire. Mrs. Warren assumed the family responsibilities and successfully ran her husband’s business as well as continued support of various charities.
Mrs. Warren used the family wealth to fulfill her deceased husband's wished - the endowment of two educational institution - a vocational facility to provide education in the mechanical arts and the other dedicated to educating men interested in training for the Methodist Ministry. The latter became the Iliff School of Theology, which still stands today. After Mrs. Elizabeth Ifliff married Henry White Warren, Methodist Bishop, both continued to support education through the support of the University of Denver, the Iliff School of Theology, as well as other efforts.
While the Bishop and now Mrs. Elizabeth Iliff Warren relocated to other home for vacations and other business, they returned to reside at the Mansion until their deaths. In 1910 a fire, which started in the basement, caused considerable damage and it took several years to restore the home. Mrs. Warren returned to the home and lived there until her death in 1920. Her daughter, Louise Iliff, lived in the Mansion until her death in 1966.
The Mansion became the Randel-Moore School. In 1977 the founder of Accelerated Schools was requested to combine its unique teaching system with the Randell-Moore School curriculum. The incorporation of this successful teaching method resulted in changing the name to Accelerated Schools in 1984 to more appropriately reflect its goals.
The Fitzroy Mansion holds the distinction of being named to the National Historical and the Denver Historical Society.
The Mansion’s fate and its residents, perhaps without intention at first, were destined to play an integral role in education for more than 100 years - as it continues today.