The exterior of the building that houses Chuck’s Restaurant will be refreshed as part of a $1.24 million renovation. Architectural rendering by Simonson & Associates Architects LLC

Before a $1.24 million renovation could begin on a building that’s home to a longtime Des Moines Italian-American restaurant, structural repairs were made.

“Immediate life-safety concerns needed to be addressed to stabilize the building,” said Katie Hernandez, an economic development project manager for Des Moines. The building is home to Chuck’s Restaurant, which opened in 1956.

The Polk County assessor’s website describes the two-story structure as being in “poor condition.” The building was constructed in 1910.

A beam in the basement of the building at 3610 Sixth Ave. was failing, causing floors on the second floor to slope and drywall to crack, Stephanie Poole, of Simonson & Associates Architects LLC, told members of Des Moines’ Urban Design Review Board during today’s meeting. Also, a portion of a concrete masonry wall on the north side of the building was in disrepair. The wall was replaced. The building’s roof, which was leaking water, was also replaced, she said.

Plans call for a partial renovation of the first floor and a full renovation of the second floor, which will be converted into four one-bedroom apartments, Poole said. The apartments will have new flooring, wood cabinets and countertops. Windows will be replaced and the building’s exterior refreshed.

The brick on the front of the 11,420-square-foot building will remain. Doors leading into the structure will be painted red, Poole said.

“Our idea with the building was to keep it simple and allow the building to speak for itself,” Poole told board members during today’s virtual meeting. “It is an important, highly recognizable building in the neighborhood.”

The building’s renovation is one of several improvements occurring along a portion of Sixth Avenue in Des Moines’ Highland Park/Oak Park neighborhood, located about 3 miles north of downtown. Slow Down Coffee Co. opened in November in space previously occupied by Highland Park Hardware. The Hiland Bakery, which closed in 2019, reopened in January under new ownership. Des Moines Mercantile opened at 3707 Sixth Ave. and a local developer plans to buy and rehabilitate buildings at 3523 and 3524 Sixth Ave.

The project at 3610 Sixth Ave. is not pursuing historic tax credits because of the lengthy application process, Abbey Gilroy, Neighborhood Development Corp.’s executive director, told the board. 

“The timing just didn’t allow it,” Gilroy said. “We’re trying to get this operator back open and operating.”

The Des Moines board today approved design plans for the project and a financial assistance package that provides up to $166,720 in aid through tax increment finance over 15 years.

The property is currently valued at $155,000, according to the Polk County assessor. The first floor of the building was last remodeled in 1963.

When the renovations are complete, the property is expected to be valued at $778,300, according to city documents. Renovation of the building that houses Chuck’s is expected to be completed by April.

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