Des Moines leads the way in statewide historic preservation projects, Iowa agency says

Restoration of the iconic gold dome of the Iowa State Capitol, a Woodland Heights home built in 1913 and the Younkers Tea Room are among the Des Moines projects that won the state's highest awards for historic preservation. 

The State Historical Society of Iowa and the nonprofit group Preservation Iowa presented the awards last week. They recognize projects that show the best practice of historic preservation and use of state historic tax credits. 

Six of the 14 awards were given to historic rehab projects in Des Moines. 

The winners were:

William H. Meek House

The William H. Meek House, built in 1913 in Des Moines' Woodland Heights Historic District, was rehabilitated by Rally Cap Properties, a local company that rehabs distressed, dilapidated and vacant homes in neighborhoods near downtown Des Moines. 

►More:Meet the team working to turn around Des Moines' urban neighborhoods

William H. Meek was a housing developer who built and sold homes in the city in the early 1900s. He and his wife lived in the cottage-style home on 27th Street. 

The house was on the verge of demolition when Rally Cap Properties began rehabilitation work on it in 2017. Rally Cap's restoration included restoring cedar clapboard and shakes, opening the front porch, refinishing the hardwood floors and an antique claw-foot tub, and rebuilding an original built-in bookshelf.

"The project's success has already spurred additional preservation work in the neighborhood by Rally Cap and private homeowners nearby," the State Historical Society of Iowa said in a news release. 

Rally Cap won the Judith A. McClure Award, which recognizes outstanding preservation of a residential property.

Iowa State Capitol Dome

One of the most iconic landmarks in Des Moines, the gold dome of the Iowa State Capitol underwent a $10 million repair project over the past two years. 

Significant deterioration over the course of the capitol's 130-year history threatened the dome's integrity. The project involved replacing more than 12,000 interior bricks, building a barrier to protect the structure from moisture and restoring interior and exterior limestone. The project was approved and paid for by the Iowa Legislature. 

"This project is a cause for statewide celebration," the State Historical Society of Iowa said in a news release. 

The Iowa State Capitol Dome won in the public structure category. 

Fort Des Moines

A historic military base that played key roles in the advancement of black and female soldiers was renovated into apartments last year.

Blackbird Investments and James Spiller converted four army barracks and two horse stables into 142 one- and two-bedroom apartments for low-income renters. 

The $40 million project was one of the largest uses of tax credits in Iowa, using a mix of historic tax credits, low-income housing tax credits, enterprise zone tax credits and incentives from the city of Des Moines. 

Fort Des Moines was home of the first African American officer training program in 1917 and the nation’s first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II.

It won in the sustainability in preservation category.

Harbach Lofts

Originally built in 1906, the Harbach Lofts once operated as the L. Harbach & Sons furniture company. The $26 million project turned two five-story brick buildings into 103 market-rate apartments. 

Separated by a paved courtyard, the buildings at 300 Southwest Fifth St. are part of a rare surviving warehouse-factory complex from early 20th century Des Moines. The location is known for its ground-floor restaurant, St. Kilda. 

Harbach Lofts won in the residential multi-family category. 

Daniels Brothers Super Service Station

The Daniel Brothers Super Service Station, 440 E. Grand Ave., was once a full-service station in Des Moines' East Village. Built in 1929, the station had gas pumps, a car wash and a repair shop. 

Local development team RE3 re-purposed the space for a small bar and restaurant, three or four retail or office bays, and one market-rate apartment on the top floor. 

Ernie's Boondock, a vintage dive bar, and Bellhop, a tropical tiki bar, have opened there. Edward Jones and LendTrade both have offices in the building. 

The Daniels Brothers Super Service Station won in the small commercial category.

Wilkins Building

The Wilkins Building, which was once part of the iconic Younkers department store in downtown Des Moines, was converted into 60 apartments and 20,000-square-feet of commercial space. 

Built in 1909, the department store was the first reinforced concrete building in Des Moines. It survived the 2014 fire that ravaged the eastern half of the Younkers building. 

►More:5 years after the fire: What will become of the former Younkers site?

Blackbird Investments completed the rehab in fall 2017. It included the restoration of the Younkers Tea Room, the iconic restaurant once known for its rarebit burgers, chicken salad and cinnamon rolls. The Tea Room is now an event venue for groups of up to 430 people. 

"The reinvigorated Wilkins Building now serves as a vital landmark for downtown Des Moines," the State Historical Society of Iowa said in a news release. 

The Wilkins Building won in the large commercial category.