A Timeless Masterpiece: The Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Des

In the lively heart of Des Moines, Iowa, a splendid masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture, the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Des Moines Building, shines brightly, a gift from the artistic genius of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in a beguiling year of 1962, this three-story, steel-framed, glass-filled wonder, adorned with a striking granite and travertine marble base, stands 40.25 feet (12.27 meters) high. Two lengthwise trusses frame its roof, a testament to the creative spirit of its design, although this design was eventually abandoned.

Originally built as a home for the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Des Moines, this building once faced challenging times during the savings and loan crisis of the 1990s, resulting in its designation as a local landmark. In a generous act, the building was acquired by philanthropist Ed Ochylski in 1992 and donated to the Diocese of Des Moines. From 2016 to 2017, this timeless treasure underwent a sumptuous $10 million renovation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in a year of new beginnings, 2017.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons