214 Fifth Street

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Evaluation:

This is a non-contributing Fifth Street building within the historic district. While very early in date it has been remodeled so as to be completely unrecognizable.

District Characteristic	Yes	No	Findings/Recommendations
Two-story brick with narrow mass		X
Larger, broader massing		X
Other key façade features		X
Architectural style		X
Prominent location		X	Save for its location adjacent to a pedestrian alleyway.
Original façade materials		X
Upper fenestration pattern		X
Sympathetic Storefront Infill		X	Already remodeled by 1999, need historical photo.
Brick corbelled parapet		X
Cornice/coping (not metal)		X

Physical Description:

This is a single-story brick building with a frame storefront veneer. The core measures 24 feet by 71 feet. A concrete block addition (1976) adds 68 feet to the depth. The 1968 storefront had a metal or asphalt front covering, a structural glass infilled transom and an off-centered recessed entry that largely matches the present one. A key difference is the incorporation of a separate (structural glass filled) window into the entryway.

Documented Alterations:

A new structural glass and an ivory and green Carrara storefront was installed in 1940 and has been lost. Garmer and Stiles were the contractor (Express, April 25, 1940). Permits note heating work and a remodeled storefront in 1968, electrical work in 1969 and 1974, interior partitions and electrical work 1975 and a 24 feet by 37 feet rear concrete block addition by contractor M. A. Knutsen in November 1976.

Commercial History:

Business	Owner	Start	Stop	Notes of Interest
Two Oaks Wealth	Daniel Porter	2021	current
Eye Beads and Gemstones	Brent and Mary Jane Long	2003	2013
Dressings on 5th	Mary Kirke	1985	2003
			1980?	Morey Knutsen guts building on the cheap, gets AIA award (Tribune, November 6, 1981).
M. A. Knutsen Inc.	Morey Knutsen	1970	1980
West Des Moines Drug Mart	Phil Vandenberg	1969	1974	Remodels (Register, March 30, 1969).
P.D.Q. Drug Store
Carmody Drug Store			1969	To Euclid Street shopping center
PDQ Drug		1969
Midwest Buying Services		1968
West Side Recreation		1965
Ward’s Food Mart		1953		Likely an error***
New Valley Tire Shop		1928		Leases Carmody Bldg., Register, June 17, 1928
Carmody Drugs		1919	1969
Pollard Hardware	F. C. Pollard	1909	1917
Construction	H. L. Seyfert	1897		H. L. Seyfert, owner as of July 27 who breaks ground days later for new one-story brick drug store-an unidentified Des Moines contractor built the building. John F. Crosby is contractor for the interior woodwork(Express, July 30, August 6, 20, 1897). The Register-Leader (July 24, 1897) printed a picture and said the new building would cost $1,300 and would house the drug store.