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Another century, another life for Harbach

The history of the Harbach buildings spans 110 years. Originally, furniture was manufactured in the south building, then warehousedSteel, brick, wood - There’s evidence of the historic Harbach Furniture Warehouse all over. From the elevator shaft doors to the beams in each unit. and shipped from the north building. The south building was acquired in 1989 by local architect Davis Sanders and converted into the ART 316 artist’s studios. In 2014 Kent Mauck, a longtime friend of Sanders, bought the north building with the goal of converting it into loft housing. The idea of reuniting the two structures led Mauck and Sanders to join forces in 2015 to realize their vision of Harbach Lofts.
Steel, brick, wood - There’s evidence of the historic Harbach Furniture Warehouse all over. From the elevator shaft doors to the beams in each unit.

Harbach: A Brief History

1906

L. Harbach & Sons Co. constructed their new factory and warehouse to manufacture parlor furniture, couches, and mattresses.

1921

The company was sold to Davidson Building Co., which continued to sell L. Harbach & Sons furniture.

1928

Davidson Building Co. leased the Harbach factory and warehouse to Way- Helms Co. and Red Cross Mattress Co. for their upholstered furniture and mattress business.

1930

The Great Depression took its toll, and the now-vacant factory and warehouse were leased to Ginsberg & Sons, one of the largest furniture firms in Iowa.

1952

Ginsberg family members purchased the factory and warehouse complex.

1986

Ahern-Pershing, an office supply and equipment company, purchased the north building for use as a showroom, offices, and a warehouse. Today, a 9- foot-long pencil that was once mounted to the top of one of their delivery vehicles is displayed over the mailboxes in the north building lobby.

1989

The south building was acquired by local architect Davis Sanders who converted it into artist’s studios, taking advantage of the building’s expansive windows, concrete floors and high ceilings. The building became known as ART 316, and for 25 years it was a popular gathering spot and hub for Des Moines artists.

2014

The north building was purchased by Kent Mauck with the intention of converting the structure into residential loft apartments.

2015

Davis Sanders and Kent Mauck entered into a partnership to reunite the original Harbach factory and warehouse and develop Harbach Lofts, a 103- apartment residential loft complex. During the design process, the buildings were named to The National Register of Historic Places.

2017

Harbach Lofts opens following a $22,000,000 transformation into 103 apartments.

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