Ingersoll Theater

The Story: The Ingersoll Theater is a Des Moines icon, and one of the last remaining buildings along “The Avenues” district to be rehabilitated.

Constructed in 1939 by Des Moines businessman and theater operator A.H. Blank (namesake of many Des Moines institutions), the single-screen Ingersoll theater is a rare local example of a Deco-ish style Depression-era movie theater.    It was one of the first theaters in central Iowa to be fitted for movies with sound rather than silent films.  Its iconic green glazed brick has mostly been covered over through various renovations.

In the 1970s, the building was turned into a live theater venue.  It operated as the Ingersoll Dinner theater for decades.  More recent tenants converted the building into an after-hours club and it has been vacant for almost 10 years… until finally being purchased by Sequel’s client.

The building will undergo a complete historic rehabilitation that includes structural and envelope repairs, updating all building systems, accessibility, code compliance, and of course… restoration of the facade (including the FABULOUS marquee)!