(Des Moines, IA) -- This historic Des Moines Fire station Number One, at 900 Mulberry is being sold. The building had been the home of the Des Moines Social Club. Efforts had been underway to transform the space into a year-round indoor market, but those plans have been cancelled. Proceeds of the sale will support an endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines to support arts, culture, and community in Greater Des Moines.
The Des Moines Social Club Transition Board began in 2019 to reimagine the space and model of the Des Moines Social Club. The Social Club’s mission was to provide programming of arts disciplines to all and to use the arts as a catalyst to create community engagement.
“While the campus will be sold, we are grateful to be able to honor the spirit and intent to serve the arts, culture and the community by donating proceeds from the sale to establish the endowment,” said Rob Feeney, Chair of the Des Moines Social Club Transition Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Bottling Company. “We believe this endowment will honor the intent of those who supported this project with the knowledge that the arts strengthen our community in countless ways.”
Paul Rottenberg, member of the Des Moines Social Club Transition Board of Directors and President of Orchestrate Hospitality, which owns Malo, a restaurant located in Historic Firehouse No. 1 shared, “We remain committed to fostering a vibrant arts and cultural sector in our community. We look forward to being part of the evolution of the campus and support the ongoing effort to serve the community in creative ways.”