US Bank (Iowa – Des Moines National Bank)

520 Walnut Street

Completed: 1932

Proudfoot Rawson Souers & Thomas

NRHP – 1979

Voted one of the top 50 buildings of the 20th century in Iowa.

Art Deco style building. A good example of machine-made ornamentation at the entrance (made of brass, bronze, nickel, and pewter). This building marked a radical departure from Classical design, which reached its peak in 1925 to 1935.

Exterior materials are Indiana Limestone and Wisconsin Black Granite

The original building name’s logo “IDM” is incorporated into the design of the facade, high over the north entrance.

The building has a 4 story base with a reduced 5th story. The original design of the building called for a 16 to 20 story tower. The additional 12 to 16 floors were intended to be similar to the 5th. The Great Depression and a lack of funds prevented the upper stories from being built, though the structural system was designed to hold them.

The interior is one of the most elegant spaces in Des Moines.