A 116-year-old Des Moines house is getting a second chance at life after a local nonprofit took on the fixer-upper in hopes to maintain the historic property.
Before the renovation, the house located at 3114 Cottage Grove Ave. was divided into three apartment units. Invest DSM, a nonprofit that specializes in community development, took the property under its care and did a full gut and renovation.
The renovation is part of a project established by the neighborhood association and approved by City Council. It aims to save 20 homes that are multi-family but originally built as single-family structures. The entire project is facilitated by Invest DSM, which acquires the property, makes plans for renovations, hires the contractor and funds the entire project.
At the time of acquisition, one of the furnaces didn't work. There were electrical and plumbing problems. The house also was fairly outdated.
Once these historic houses are gone, there is no getting them back, said Christopher Civitate, Invest DSM's neighborhood development manager.
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"We can't put back history," Civitate said. "While we can take steps to design things well and try to build things that are similar, once it is gone, it is gone."
What's new about the 3114 Cottage Grove home?
The layout of the 2,560-square-foot property, which was built in 1908, was completely removed and redone. The house now has five bedrooms with three ½ bathrooms. There is a two car garage. The roof was replaced. All of the plumbing and electrical work was redone. There is new flooring, carpeting and ceilings. The appliances also had a face lift.
The entire lot is 9,100 square feet.
"We really redid the entire structure," Civitate said.
The house is currently for sale and is listed at $575,000 on Zillow.
Keep reading for a Q&A with Sarah Shaffer, the Realtor who is selling the Cottage Grove home:
DMR: Did any of the original features of the house remain?
Shaffer: Two of my favorite parts of this home were retained from the original home. The built-ins around the fireplace are original to the home. The other beautiful original piece is the built-in hutch in the newly built mudroom. It was beautifully restored and given a new location in the home. The colors used throughout the home are drawn from the wood of the original hutch.
DMR: What’s your favorite part of the house?
Shaffer: I really think the size of the home has been taking people by surprise. From the outside it looks spacious and beautiful but you don't fully grasp how much space you have until you are inside. The third level of living space is truly unique. It would be great for many purposes. It could be a guest room and a separate office, a home gym, so many options.
DMR: Why is it important to invest or renovate historic homes such as this one?
Shaffer: Investing in the history of these homes is key to the growth of our city. So many older homes are left to crumble and are lost forever. These unique homes give our neighborhoods the charm and character that all of us that live in them love. These homes have stood for over 100 years and deserve the care and respect Invest DSM puts into them. Not only is it better for the environment to renovate an existing home, it is better for the strength of the neighborhood. These homes are such a great example of staying true to the character of the home, but making it work for people's needs today. They are truly one of a kind.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
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