Wall In
The move exposed the fact that the building’s masonry and stucco facade was in need of repair. The Des Moines office of Western Specialty Contractors, who had been involved in waterproofing the building’s new foundation prior to backfilling, was brought in to help restore the fac?ade and make it watertight.
To restore and preserve the fac?ade, Western Specialty Contractors’ crews replaced all the building’s joint sealants and then undertook the process of resealing the structure by cleaning the entire surface and removing residue that had accumulated over the many years the building had been in use.
Tuckpointing was done throughout the building’s three masonry walls. It was important to maintain the historical integrity of the structure, so special attention was given to make sure the mortar color and joint profile used in the original construction of the row house was matched in the restoration project.
In its old location, the row house had butted up to another building. Since it
had to stand alone in its new home, some additional structural integrity was needed on that wall. To achieve this, spray-applied concrete was used on the entire western elevation. A textured acrylic coating was also applied to this elevation to add waterproofing and help protect the historic appearance of the building.
Location, Location
The tenant build-out of the rehabilitated row house took place in the fall and winter of 2014. The original intent was to have a restaurant on the first floor and offices on the second, but this plan changed when a single tenant stepped in to take over the building.
Gerald “JJ” Caligiuri, who had already opened a Della Viti wine bar in Ames, Iowa, was drawn to the location and the historic building. The East Village is a growing neighborhood in Des Moines with an active nightlife and plenty of foot traffic. This special building in a hip neighborhood was ideal for the unique wine bar that now resides there.
Della Viti takes pride in the relaxed atmosphere that it built in its historic surroundings. Self-service wine stations create a fun, unique environment that is accented by jazz, excellent food and an extensive craft beer menu. It’s a place that local residents can take pride in, and visitors to Des Moines can enjoy for its epicurean delights and its connection to the city’s proud past.
The rehabbed Samuel Green Row House/Norden Hall is thriving in its new location and garnering new appreciation in its modern role. Its renovation saved a piece of city history while adding to the fabric of Des Moines today.
Once on the verge of demolition, the row house demonstrates now that even buildings can improve with time. As Thomas Moore once said, “What though youth gave love and roses, age still leaves us friends and wine.”
Retrofit Team
Developer: Christensen Development, Des Moines, Iowa
Architect: Slingshot Architecture, Des Moines
General Contractor: Beal Derkenne Construction, Des Moines
Masonry Restoration: Western Specialty Contractors, Des Moines
PHOTOS: Jared Heideman