A reality TV makeover and $325K in renovations highlight this $750K Grand Avenue home
Occupying a corner lot in the desirable Westwood neighborhood in Des Moines, a century old, three-story home for sale on Grand Avenue combines an abundance of vintage charm, with an upgraded interior designed to appeal to modern tastes.
Realtor Julie Moore of RE/MAX Concepts has listed the property at $750,000 and is an admirer of the surrounding district she described as “storybook” in atmosphere.
“It’s just kind of nostalgic,” Moore said, “Very friendly and very social,” and a neighborhood where she noted children aged “from kindergarten to 8th grade” can safely walk to local schools.
Set back from Grand Avenue and partially hidden by mature oak trees that predate the building by at least a quarter of a century, the entrance to a two-car garage is positioned on 26th Street, leaving a long stretch of open lawn in front of the house. The 2,870-square-foot home fills five bedrooms, and three bathrooms. The homeowners added a deck on the eastern side, providing extra privacy from the roads and sidewalk.
The current owners have spent $325,000 on home improvements during their residency, including a makeover of their comfortable living area that was filmed for Season One of the HGTV show, "West End Salvage." The homeowners married in downtown Des Moines’ West End Architectural Salvage event space and held their wedding reception on the first floor, surrounded by the eclectic and unique inventory.
When it was time to make property upgrades, the owners turned to the store’s design team, sharing a creative vision inspired by 1920s-era hotel lobbies and speakeasies and a willingness to appear on the TV show.
Improvements included new color schemes, changes to the lighting and furniture, plus the addition of an Art Deco bar that had coincidentally been part of the furnishings during the couple’s wedding day.
The company’s resident designer, Hal Davis, also sourced an Art Deco grate to stand in front of the working gas fireplace.
Remodels to the living spaces and modernized kitchen were carefully planned to enhance the welcoming environment for entertaining guests and visitors.
“Their house was definitely the center of everything for their family, for kids getting ready for prom, or for the holidays, just because there is so much space to spread out,” Moore explained.
A large island has become a focal point for the spacious kitchen, now upgraded with a heated floor, custom cabinetry, new appliances, and quartz countertops. It connects to a pantry, a dining area, a solarium, and a sliding doorway recycled from the home’s original front entrance.
An additional solarium-style room sits on the floor above, next to four bedrooms, and all with the potential to be adapted for use as a playroom, office, or dressing rooms. “I would just say it's incredibly versatile,” Moore added.
Under the gable roof at the top of the house, the floorplan now showcases a primary bedroom, walk-in closet, and a bathroom equipped with a separate shower and bathtub.
“It's truly a little oasis up there”, Moore said. “They truly have honored the house, so it's very much in pristine move-in condition.”
The home is listed at $750,000 by Julie Moore of RE/MAX Concepts. Contact Moore at 515-279-6700 for more information and a private showing.
Where: 5518 Grand Ave., Des Moines
Asking price: $750,000
Year built: 1923
Square footage: 2,870 square feet
Lot size: 0.65 acres
Richard Lane is a freelance writer for the Des Moines Register. If you have a home we should feature, reach out to Susan Stapleton at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: $750K house for sale on Grand Avenue appeared on 'West End Salvage'
