Aug 30, 2021 - Real Estate

Drake University to relocate historic Victorian house in Des Moines

A drawing next to a photo of a historic Victorian house in Des Moines.

2915 Brattleboro Ave. Historic drawing courtesy of Vermont Syndicate, photo courtesy of Invest DSM

Starting just after midnight, construction crews will move a historic Victorian home at 2915 Brattleboro Ave. to a new location two blocks away.

Why it matters: Preserving historic buildings is a longtime goal of local and state officials.

  • This home, built in 1890, was part of the first developments associated with the Kingman Place District.

What's happening: Drake University, which has owned the property since 1977 and used it as apartments, partnered with neighborhood representatives and nonprofit Invest DSM to move the home to a new location at 3102 Cottage Grove Ave. It should be completed Tuesday by dawn and have minimal impact on traffic.

  • A full renovation will turn the property into a 4-bedroom, 2,045-square-foot house. It'll then be put up for sale in the coming months.

The intrigue: The university hasn't officially finalized or made public its plans for the Brattleboro site, Christopher Civitate of Invest DSM told Axios.

  • University officials didn't immediately respond to Axios' inquiry.

Of note: Multiple other Drake-owned homes in the area have been relocated in recent years as part of an $8 million expansion of its Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement.

avatar

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Des Moines.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more

More Des Moines stories

No stories could be found

Des Moinespostcard

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Des Moines.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more