Historic Warren Hotel undergoing major rehab

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After standing empty for the past 13 years, a historic structure a few buildings east of the downtown square in Indianola is undergoing a renovation that will provide commercial spaces and apartments.


Business partners Greg Johansen and Mike Ohnemus, both Indianola natives, bought the 115-year-old Warren Hotel in July, renamed it Brickstone Place and launched a nearly $1 million renovation that should be completed by the end of February.


The project adds up to the largest renovation of a private property in the memories of many observers of development efforts in this seat of Warren County government, located south of Des Moines on U.S. Highways 65/69.


Johansen and Ohnemus might be better known as developers, owners and operators of Medicap pharmacies, including the one in Indianola where Johansen got his start, then brought Ohnemus in as a partner. Together, they own 19 pharmacies and much of the real estate under them across Iowa.


At Brickstone Place, plans call for four two-bedroom apartments on the second floor and nearly 2,106 square feet of available commercial space on the first floor. Mishmash Bake Shoppe plans to relocate from its Indianola location and reopen as Mishmash on the first floor early next year.


After confounding previous owners who sought to rehab the old hotel, crews have installed a new roof, replaced windows and repaired and replaced masonry at the rear of the building. Upstairs, walls were taken back to the framing to open up the area for apartments.


A new entry for the residential tenants, enhanced parking for the building, including a handicap entrance, and a patio for Mishmash will be installed at the back of the building.


Information on the project and floor plans can be found at www.thebrickstoneplace.com.