OWN THE HISTORIC THOMAS I. STONER HOME IN WAVELAND WOODS FOR $925K
Acknowledged by the National Register of Historic Places, and heralded for its original and restored design elements, the Thomas I. Stoner House is for sale at 1030 56th St. in Des Moines, creating a rare opportunity for a “South of Grand” living experience, on the western border of the Waveland Golf Course.
Listed at $925,000, by Sara Hopkins of Re/Max Precision Urban Office, Hopkins described the fourbedroom, four-bathroom home as “iconic and very recognizable.”
She recently hosted an event to introduce the property to local estate agents, “and several who grew up in Waveland said this was always their dream house. This is the house that they drove by as kids and this was their absolute dream mansion to live in sometime,” Hopkins said.
Built in 1931, the 2,802-square-foot property is classified by the National Register of Historic Places as “a rare representation,” of the Spanish eclectic style in Des Moines, a vintage trend once favored in Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills. Creator Thomas Stoner had visited California in the winter of 1929 and taken note of its architectural movements. The house has also been assigned its own Wikipedia page to affirm its local significance.
Much of the original character has been carefully preserved, while adding a plethora of modern amenities, including new kitchen appliances and range, a primary bathroom remodel, and roof replacement.
Local architectural firm Wetherell & Harrison worked closely with the vision of Stoner, and his actress wife, Ruth, and combined motifs of wrought iron, arched windows, heavy wood doors and decorative tile that remain in place today.
The home's historical lore includes stories of Mrs. Stoner hosting drama clubs in the “Venice” sunroom and regaling construction teams with poetry readings while they hand painted the murals that are still preserved throughout the home.
Hopkins cited the sunroom as one of the most attractive features of the house. “Once the weather changes and the trees start to bloom, you can really see what a little private oasis it is,” Hopkins said, and noted the careful consideration of the home's layout. “While you're sitting in the kitchen, it looks straight out onto a statue of Venus,” perfectly aligned with the view from the dining area.
Located close to the convenient intersection of 56th Street and University Avenue, the home's front door greets guests with a plaque announcing the house's placement on the National Register. Inside, the lofted ceiling great room, includes a gas fireplace, Juliet balcony windows, sliding pocket doors that lead to the library and dining room, and paintable wallpaper that resembles limestone.
Each of the four bedrooms are connected to ensuite bathrooms and the upstairs primary bedroom includes an uncommon, vintage double vanity.
Born in 1868, Thomas Isaiah Stoner's lifelong investments and diverse portfolio of business ventures made an impact across the metro, and included building the Roosevelt Shopping Center, Iowa's premiere shopping hub, and his firm being the first to adorn the State Capital dome with gold leaf. His son, Tom, the future philanthropist and billionaire founder of Stoner Broadcasting, grew up on the property, and as a child became stuck in a sinceremoved laundry chute when he attempted to slide down to the lower level.
At the time of its construction, the house was a rare private estate in the area, but Stoner was an automobile advocate, who created his shopping center with suburban drivers in mind, and purposely added a two-car garage to his new home.
When the last of the Stoner family vacated the home in 1965, subsequent owners sold off parcels of the surrounding acreage for development, but the existing site offers unrestricted views of the Waveland Golf Course to the east.
The most recent residents took their role as custodian of a slice of Des Moines heritage to heart, and maintained the interior highlights, and made improvements to the garden, adding plants, trees and the upkeep of the enduring raspberry patch. As a result, Hopkins describes the current residence as a house “that fits a modern lifestyle, while preserving the history.”
The home is listed at $925,000 by Sara Hopkins of RE/MAX Precision Urban Office. Contact Hopkins at 515-710-6030 for more information and a private showing.
Where: 1030 56th St., Des Moines Asking price: $925,000 Year built: 1931 Square footage: 2,802 square feet Lot size: 0.70 acres