Western Specialty Contractors - Des Moines, Iowa Branch (formerly named Western Waterproofing Company), played an instrumental role in preserving a 136-year-old row house in Des Moines, Iowa that was originally destined for demolition to make way for expansion of the Iowa State Capitol grounds. Instead, the historic building was moved to a new location in the city's popular East Village neighborhood and repurposed as a restaurant.
Originally designed and built in 1880 by prominent business leader Samuel Green for his family, the building, formerly named Norden Hall, has served as a private residence and home to three Scandinavian community groups. Built on the western edge of the Iowa State Capitol grounds, private developer Jake Christensen was determined to save one of the city's oldest historic landmarks. He accomplished this by moving the 440,000-pound building four blocks from 707 E. Locust to a new foundation at 435 E. Grand.