234 Fifth Street

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Evaluation:

This is a contributing Fifth Street building within the historic district. This Art Deco style design occupies a key corner location towards the north end of the district.

District Characteristic	Yes	No	Findings/Recommendations
Two-story brick with narrow mass		X	Single story narrow massing.
Larger, broader massing	X
Other key façade features	X
Architectural style		X	Art Deco style
Prominent location	X		Corner location plus its own design impact.
Original façade materials	X
Upper fenestration pattern		X
Sympathetic Storefront Infill	X
Brick corbelled parapet	X
Cornice/coping (not metal)	X

Physical Description:

This is a corner single story Moderne style glazed enamel tile veneered drugstore design with an angled corner entry. Square cream colored tile covers the east bay (main facade) and a rear north-facing Maple Street storefront. Rectangular tile covers the parapet fronts (presumably on the Maple Street front as well which is obscured by a metal slip screen), save for over the angled entry where square tile and a light green rectangular tile form alternating horizontal bands. The same green tile is run vertically between stacks of rectangular tile. The double storefront effect results from the inclusion of a brick north sidewall that separates the two storefronts. Two sets of three elevated windows are on this wall. A rear Elm Street store area measured 12 feet by 25 feet. The foundation is of concrete block (Express, March 28, 1949).

Documented Alterations:

Building permit for a $10,000 building (Express, December 31, 1939). The 1968 storefront is still intact apart from the loss of a presumed aluminum cornice and flat square cut hood that wrapped around the main facade, also an angled raised wing (its shadow in the tile has left a white cover over the gap) that was used for signage. The north elevated windows, originally infilled with structural glass, have been replaced and the Maple Street parapet covered as noted. Permits note the repair of a wall and the closing up of an opening, with door jamb repair in May 1965, electrical work in 1975 and 1984, with the addition of an awning in early 1984.

Commercial History:

Business	Owner	Start	Stop	Notes of Interest
Wines of Iowa		2014	current
Floral Touch	Nancy and Jim Nelson	2011	2014	Closes in February 2014, in five locations in VJ over 19 years
234 Digs	Ron Choate, Lyn Gibson		2011	Gibson had 7 Elements at 233-35 Fifth, combined and her firm went to Back Alley Bargains.
Painting show and sale	Jamie Bowers		2010	Likely a one-time event
Pinups & Punks	B J. Shorter, Josiah Fink	2009	2009	Opened in spring.
Artistic Beads [and Fibers]	Cheryl Erikson		2009	To 219 Fifth
Junktiques, Shirley’s Antiques, Woodshed Gifts		2000
Signature Interior Accents		1998		Finalist in 100 Retailers of America, Niche Magazine, Register, June 24, 1998
Christmas on Elm		1980		Opens in July-the only tenant found for 508 Elm
Donna’s Dolls & Country Collection	Donna Martin	1986	2006	Had store at 220 Fifth, both flooded in 1993 with loss
The Bavarian Boutique	Elke Langweg and Elke Urbanski	1984	1985	German gifts theme
The Corner Arcade	Meredith Dogood	1979	1984
The Creperie Restaurant		1970	1979	From 23^rd & Forest in DM
Marion Tuttle's beauty shop.				508?***
Vandenburg Drug		1940	1968	Moving here from 132 Fifth Street (Express, February 15, 1940)
Construction	Chelious Vandenburg	1939		Chelious Vandenburg acquired this property in January 1931 and built this building in 1939. The architects were Wetherell and Harrison of Des Moines. Garmer and Stiles were the general contractor. The glazed enamel tile and structural glass came from Carr Glass and Paint. Building permit for a $10,000 building (Express, December 31, 1939).