Polk County Historic Courthouse

OPN Architects

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2024 Design Awards

Project Description

Designed by Proudfoot and Bird, the historic Polk County Courthouse is the anchor of the Historic Court Avenue District in downtown Des Moines. The courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Building, has served the Fifth Judicial District for 117 years. Built between 1900 and 1906, the Beaux Arts Classical courthouse is one of only a handful of buildings representing this style of architecture in the state and region. The restoration of the interior of the courthouse is the final phase of a multi-year reorganization of the Polk County Courts campus in downtown Des Moines. The original solution would have moved all Polk County court functions to a single new building out of downtown, thereby decommissioning the historic courthouse. Our team advocated to re-envision a new master plan preserving the historic courthouse as an iconic anchor in downtown Des Moines. Now complete, the multi-phase Fifth Judicial District Master Plan ultimately included two other major projects: a new Polk County Justice Center (2016) and a new Polk County Criminal Courts (2019). Both projects re-used existing buildings adjacent to the historic courthouse to create a cohesive campus. The restoration and preservation of the historic courthouse brings the century old building back to life by uncovering and restoring much of its original details and architecture. Drop ceilings were removed to reveal ornate plaster ceilings. Each of the six original courtrooms were restored to its original plaster, scagliola, and wood finishes, tapestry, and paint schemes. Most of the historic furniture that was able to be salvaged was fully restored, including the judges benches. The result is an architectural treasure restored to its original grandeur as a celebration of Polk County’s past while also creating a place of dignity, justice and safety for current and future citizens.