TIME LINE
March 6, 1911 The Des Moines Masons decide to increase the new Temple's size to a quarter block, increasing the cost of the project by about $100,000.
March 13, 1911 The first spade of dirt is turned to begin construction on the first Masonic Temple to be built in Des Moines. Cost for completion estimated between $180,000 and $190,000. Designed by the firm Proudfoot Bird & Rawson, known as Iowa's premier architecture firm of the early 20th century.
May 22, 1912 The ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone draws throngs of people to witness The Temple cavalry and commanders in a lavish display of pomp and circumstance.
July 1912 Placement of a temporary roof is completed.
May 26, 1913 Construction is completed at a cost of approximately $190,000. The Temple lodge room is dedicated. The Brown Motor Company, a Maxwell Flanders automobile dealer, will become one of the building's first tenants. Another early tenant is the home office of a national life insurance company.
June 28, 1913 Plans are laid by Des Moines Masons for the addition of two stories to The Temple, intended to house the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa, in a recommendation to move the state Masonic headquarters from Cedar Rapids. However, these plans never come to fruition, and the Temple remains a five-story building.
January 1917 Des Moines Water Co., a private firm, becomes a tenant. The firm becomes a public utility known as Des Moines Waterworks in 1921.
1981 Des Moines Waterworks occupies nearly all of The Temple's leased office space.
August 1985 The Temple loses its largest tenant, as Des Moines Waterworks vacates for its new headquarters on Valley Drive.
April 1987 Environmental Engineers moves in, occupying about 40 percent of the space formerly occupied by Des Moines Waterworks. In an effort to make the space more energy efficient, they lower the 15-foot ceilings in a remodeling that chips away at the building's rich, historic legacy.
August 1997 The Temple is added to the National Historic Register.
1998 Embassy Hotel Management of Kansas City suggests that The Temple has potential as an historic hotel and pays for a study, but the project does not materialize.
October 2000 After a failed attempt earlier in the year, The City of Des Moines issues a second request for proposal (RFP) in hopes of identifying a developer to take ownership of The Temple building and renovate it to its original grandeur.
April, 2001 Real Estate developer Harry Bookey proposes a restoration plan for The Temple to the Des Moines City Council.
May 7, 2001 The Des Moines City Council selects Harry Bookey's group, Downtown Preservation Partners, LLC, as the project developer for The Temple restoration, which will be part of the city's Western Gateway Plan.
June 21, 2001 The Greater Des Moines Partnership Board of Directors votes unanimously to approve a $250,000 investment in The Temple renovation project. The investment in the project will be made in the form of a subordinated note to Downtown Preservation Partners, LLC, the ownership entity of The Temple building.
June 2001- Downtown Preservation Partners, LLC, secures sources of funds that include 17 grants, Feb. 2002 contributions and loans. In addition, the group raises $1 million in equity investment.
Oct. 17, 2001 Downtown Preservation Partners, LLC takes possession of The Temple building with the right to sell the building back to the city if the appropriate conditions are not achieved.
November 2001 Masons vacate previously occupied fourth floor space in The Temple.
January 2002 The Temple project secures crucial support from the city of Des Moines in the form of $1.7 million in taxpayer money and moves toward a September 2002 opening date. The Temple building is designated a local landmark by the Des Moines Planning & Zoning Commission.
March 2002 Restoration begins. The Iowa Youth Chorus and Des Moines Symphony Academy sign on as tenants for The Temple.
March 2002 The Temple signs a letter of intent with Starbucks Coffee for first floor shop.
May 2002 The Civic Center signs a letter of intent to present "Triple Espresso" at The Temple.
June 2002 The Temple for Performing Arts unveils new logo and tenant line-up.
