2016 Preservation at its Best, Residential: The Randolph. Exterior view during Farmer’s Market
2016 Preservation at its Best, Residential: The Randolph
The Randolph—previously the Hotel Randolph—combines three historic buildings into one complex. The three buildings—dating back to 1876, 1896 and 1912—had been combined into one hotel with 101 tiny units. Though it was one hotel, the three buildings were different both in their style and in their construction. Part of the project was rehabilitating facades of three different periods of significance. The most visible exterior changes are the reconstruction of projecting cornice on the 1912 building and that building’s open, glass, street level storefront.
The project team took care to create different housing layouts that respond to different downtown demographic needs, including efficient, small apartments to larger two-bedroom/two-bathroom units. The project also includes retail and restaurant space.
2016 Preservation at its Best, Residential: The Randolph. Lobby view.
The location, at the corner of Fourth Street and Court Avenue—provides new housing units in downtown Des Moines and provides a very visible example of high-quality historic rehabilitation.
Preservation Iowa’s two most visible programs are Iowa’s Most Endangered and Preservation at Its Best. These two programs work well together because being listed as Most Endangered often times leads to awareness, a preservation effort, and a high-quality, award winning project.
The full list of Preservation Iowa’s 2016 Preservation at its Best award winners includes:
