Des Moines' Butler Mansion could become Italian American museum
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The Butler Mansion sits on a seven-acres hill that overlooks Des Moines. Photo: Courtesy of the Polk County Assessor
The Butler Mansion would be transformed into a museum, café and event center as part of a $13 million project proposed by the Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa.
Why it matters: The renovation would make much of the iconic 1930s art deco modern-style home accessible to the public as a cultural destination.
Catch up fast: The roughly 44,000-square-foot mansion at 2633 Fleur Drive was built as the home of engineer Earl Butler.
- The property had been used as an office building for decades before 2020, when the center purchased it for $3.3 million.
State of play: Center officials have spent years raising money for the long-term plan to transform the site into an Italian American cultural museum.
- More than $7 million has been raised, and center officials "feel pretty good" about $3 million more in other tentative pledges, chairperson Jeff Lamberti tells Axios.
Zoom in: The work includes a two-story addition in the courtyard's interior, which creates a glass atrium to enhance the site's views.
- Event space could accommodate as many as 600 people.
- A full kitchen, cooking classroom, speakeasy and bocce courts are also planned, Lamberti says.
What's next: The Plan and Zoning Commission will consider the plan next month before final council approval.
- Construction is expected to begin this year and be completed in late 2026, Lamberti says.
