What Is the Des Moines Building?
The Des Moines Building is a 14-story, Art Deco commercial building in downtown Des Moines!
What Makes It Historical?
The Des Moines Building got its start in 1931 as the Burton Building, a 14-story skyscraper that added to a line of tall buildings called the Sixth Avenue Canyon! It was built for Arthur Sanford & Company on land leased from the Trostel Family of Fort Collins and designed by the firm of Proudfoot, Rawson, Souers & Thomas. It’s considered the best example of Art Deco architecture in Des Moines, which dabbled in Art Deco very, very briefly.
The building has two main facades and is divided into a base, tower, and capital, with a unique Art Deco-style main entrance made of black granite and marble with bronze revolving doors. Inside, the lobby features exotic architectural decoration with a terrazzo floor, polished black marble walls, chrome door frames and plaster cornice! It was designed with a mix of retail and professional offices and was in such high demand that it was almost completely occupied the moment it was completed! There were retail stores, medical offices, architect offices, and government offices at both the state and federal level!
This building had a wild custody battle in 1993, when the heirs of the Trostels demanded back payment from the newer owners of the building, and they would accept nothing but gold, as was the original agreement in the ’30s! After a lengthy court battle and the flight of many tenants, the City of Des Moines acquired ownership of the building, which nullified the gold deal!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Become a member of the Des Moines Historical Society!
- Donate to the Des Moines Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
405 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
This is a multi-use building, so hours vary by business!