The Lexington (Des Moines, Iowa)

The Lexington
The Lexington (Des Moines, Iowa) is located in Iowa
The Lexington (Des Moines, Iowa)
The Lexington (Des Moines, Iowa) is located in the United States
The Lexington (Des Moines, Iowa)
Location1721 Pleasant St.
Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates41°35′24.3″N 93°38′27.5″W / 41.590083°N 93.640972°W / 41.590083; -93.640972
Arealess than one acre
Built1908
ArchitectFred Weitz
Part ofSherman Hill Historic District (ID79000926)
NRHP reference No.76000800[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 12, 1976

The Lexington, also known as Lexington Apartments, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The five-story brick structure on a raised basement was completed in 1908 as the city's first high-rise apartment building.[2] It was designed and built by local architect-builder Fred Weitz. The exterior features a Colonial Revival style entrance with a recessed door, arched fanlight, and engaged Doric style columns that support the pediment. Wrought iron balconies are located on the two floors above the entrance. On the interior there are two apartments on every floor, and they originally featured servant's quarters.[2] They have subsequently been converted into other purposes. The upper floors are served by a large, open-cage brass elevator. The building purportedly had paranormal activity involving its elevator.[3] It was renovated between 2012 and 2014. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[1] The building was included as a contributing property in the Sherman Hill Historic District in 1979.[4] It is currently owned by the Allen Family Trust.

References

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Carl Mahnke; Jack C. Porter. "The Lexington". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-09-28. with photo(s)
  3. ^ Melissa Walker (October 2013). "Ghost Stories" (PDF). Downtown Living: 7.
  4. ^ Claudia Cackler. "Sherman Hill Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved 2017-09-28.