Historic tax credit programs, at both the State and Federal level, are proven tools for the historic rehabilitation of historic properties. Because of the economic advantages offered to property owners by the tax credit programs, communities in Iowa are benefiting from the rehabilitation of historic buildings. Property owners have the potential for a combined (Federal plus State) tax credit of 45% of the qualified rehabilitation expenses. For more information about historic tax credit programs visit the following:
Federal program: www.nps.gov/tps/tax-incentives.htm
Iowa Program: www.iowaeda.com/historic-preservation-tax-credit
The following examples of historic tax credit applications completed by AKAY Consulting illustrate this powerful tool.
Bryn Mawr Apartments Project – Des Moines, Iowa
Photo credit: Joe Kastner, DesLume Photo
Bryn Mawr Apartments was historically rehabilitated in 2018 using State and Federal historic tax credits. The project repaired and re-pointed exterior masonry; rehabilitated the original wood windows; updated mechanical systems; provided accessible access; added and updated units in the basement; added resident amenities; and upgraded kitchens, bathrooms, and interior finishes – all accomplished while retaining original, character-defining features.
In compliance with Federal historic tax credit program requirements, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Located in Des Moines, Iowa and designed by the prominent Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson, the 1918 apartment building is significant as a well-preserved example of a World War I era apartment building of the kitchenette type. With labor and material shortages during the war years impacting construction of all types, builders were forced to find ways to construct more economically. The dual-use living room/bedroom with its space-saving bed (a.k.a., Murphy Bed) and combined dining room/kitchen became known as the “kitchenette apartment.”
Edna M. Griffin Building – Des Moines, Iowa
Historic rehabilitation of the Edna M. Griffin Building was completed in the spring of 2020. The 6-story office building with storefront retail space was constructed in 1885 with a major renovation that included the addition of four upper stories completed by the Des Moines architectural firm of Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson in 1906. Undertaken utilizing State and Federal historic tax credits, the rehabilitation converted the 3rd to 6th floor office spaces to market rate residential units and the 2nd floor office space was rehabilitated in preparation for future tenant development. The storefronts have likewise been rehabilitated. Having been much altered from the 1906 building, the rehabilitation focused on finding an appropriate balance between retention of the remaining character-defining features and the provision of contemporary requirements of the new uses. Replacement of non-historic windows with historically compatible windows was one element of the scope that factored significantly in returning the building to its historic roots.
The Griffin Building is significant in association with Edna M. Griffin, whose sit-in and sidewalk picketing during the summer of 1948 led to an Iowa Supreme Court decision that broadly tested the strength of the 1884 Iowa Civil Rights Act and, more specifically, forced the desegregation of the Des Moines Katz Drug Store, which was located in the building storefront. Originally known as the Flynn Building after Martin Flynn, who was responsible for the building’s construction and expansion, the building was renamed to honor Griffin in 2015. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
First National Bank Building – Davenport, Iowa
Photo credit: ASK Studio http://www.askstudio.com/portfolio/
Historic rehabilitation of the three-story, concrete and steel frame, First National Bank of Davenport was completed in the spring of 2020. This State and Federal historic tax credit project resulted in the adaptive re-use of this 1967 bank and office building to residential units. The building retains its dominant vertical rhythm in the upper story fenestration supported by a cantilevered ground floor structure; interior volume of the first-floor bank lobby with its full span, arched beams and floating staircase; and the upscale office character of the upper floors, which have been translated to contemporary residential units.
The First National Bank Building, now The Brenton, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The building was designed by the Davenport firm of Stewart, Robison & Laffan whose modern design work figures prominently on the Davenport skyline. The building is significant as an important example of modernistic design, specifically representative of the design principles associated with New Formalism.
The project has been recognized by multiple awards including an AIA Iowa design award and the Main Street Iowa Award for Best Residential Historic Rehabilitation.
Monroe Elementary School – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Photo credit: Cameron Campbell http://www.integratedstudio.com/
Historic rehabilitation of the 1961 Monroe Elementary School was completed in 2018. The project involved sensitive modifications of this Baby Boom era school to family housing; the large site and neighborhood location only enhanced the adaptive re-use. The project re-purposed historic classrooms and administrative offices for residential units, modified the combination gymnasium-cafeteria (with stage) to lofted units with a community space, and maintained the wide corridors and abundant windows.
Monroe Elementary (now Monroe Place Lofts) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The school, designed by Cedar Rapids architects Brown & Healy, was one of seven Cedar Rapids elementary schools constructed in response to the post-war population boom.
In 2019, Preservation Iowa awarded Monroe Elementary School with its “Preservation At Its Best” for Adaptive Re-Use. The project was the recipient of the State Historical Society’s 2020 Margaret Keyes Historic Preservation Award.
Plymouth Place – Des Moines, Iowa
Photo credit: Cameron Campbell http://www.integratedstudio.com/
The historic rehabilitation of the 1968, 12-story Plymouth Place was completed in late November 2014, with the project developer utilizing State and Federal historic tax credits. The project involved sensitive modifications of the poured concrete, cylindrical building’s community and living spaces to meet the needs of the 21st century housing market. The building remains low-to-modest-income housing for seniors.
Plymouth Place was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Not then 50 years of age, the building was determined to be of exceptional importance as a representative of mid-20th century Modern architectural design. Because the Modern movement is often dated to the period from about 1900 through the 1970s, the 1968 Plymouth Place is an expression of the era’s fully formed ideologies. The building was designed by Raymond Hueholt of the Des Moines firm, Smith Voorhees Jensen Architects Associated. By his own telling, Hueholt drew on the work of Modern masters, particularly looking to Bertrand Goldberg’s Marina City in Chicago.
In 2015, Preservation Iowa awarded their “Preservation At Its Best” award for the historic rehabilitation of a residential property to Plymouth Place.
Marquette Hall – Dubuque, Iowa
Photo credit: ASK Studio http://www.askstudio.com/portfolio/
Marquette Hall (aka Sacred Heart School), a two-story masonry school building with a raised basement, was historically rehabilitated for use as senior housing in 2018 using State and Federal historic tax credits. Constructed in 1915, Marquette Hall was an excellent property for adaptive re-use; the school’s wide corridors and large classrooms supported conversion to apartments that are comfortably sized and aesthetically pleasing. The primary challenge to adaptive re-use was an auditorium with full stage, portions of which were carefully converted to residential units with the major volume of the space and its beautiful finishes retained for the enjoyment of the residents.
Marquette Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. The former school building is an example of the work of the Dubuque architectural firm Frid. Heer & Son, which was an important force in the design of the Dubuque built environment for nearly 70 years.
The project was the recipient of the Ken Kringle Award from the City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission for the historic rehabilitation and adaptive re-use as senior housing.