The Polk County Historic Courthouse was originally constructed in 1906, known as a piece of Federalist architecture with a clock tower and cupola emerging from its center. As the catalyst of Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines and core historical building to that district, it is of the utmost importance that this building is maintained to serve the community and maintain a pillar for excellence in historical restoration.
Architect
OPN Architects
Delivery
Design Bid Build
Owner
Polk County
Heating and Cooling for Iowa’s Four Seasons
This project was completed in two phases and began with demolition work in the basement to upgrade the entire buildings mechanical systems. The original radiant system that fed from the Criminal Court building across the street was removed and replaced with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, including the largest VRF system in the state of Iowa, and air conditioning to the building for the first time in its history. All restroom facilities and plumbing systems were fully updated. The original historical lighting was renovated and retrofitted utilizing existing and new pathways for power. All the systems updates were completed behind-the-scenes and hidden to maintain the original look and feel of the historical building.
Up, up, and Away
Five new elevators were installed in the building during the project. Three elevators required new shafts to be built through the existing floors, and two elevators were replaced and installed in existing hoistways. Existing floors were opened to make way for a new stair shaft.
Making Old As Good As New
Key historical features and renovations include cleaning, repair, and restoration of marble, terrazzo flooring, plaster, and woodwork. Plaster was repaired and finished with historically accurate paint schemes. Existing historic doors, courtroom seating, and judge’s benches were repaired and refinished in two-story courtrooms that were fully restored back to their original design.
