A Revitalized Community Asset
The project completed in summer 2019 and brings to life 45 new workforce and market-rate apartments, a rehabilitated Capitol Theater, a rehabilitated Midtown Cafe and several new retail shops. With vision, hard work, commitment and teamwork, the community of Newton not only saved the Hotel Maytag as a foundational historic and iconic building but also turned it into an attraction that’s re-energizing the community.
The project provides needed affordable housing in the mid-size city of approximately 15,000 residents. Now known as the Hotel Maytag Apartments, 39 of the apartments are reserved for low- to moderate-income tenants. The theater, now known as the Capitol II Theater, has emerged as an essential cultural landmark. Although it still faces competition in nearby Altoona, Iowa, the incorporation of technology-rich, modern upgrades and expanded concession offerings set against its uniquely historic aesthetic, position the independently owned Capitol II Theater as a competitive economic asset and unique experience unachievable by today’s chain theaters. And the restored ballroom, now known as the Maytag Event Complex, has reemerged as a thriving event center. Thanks to a partnership with Des Moines Area Community College, the complex serves as a full-service banquet facility that can accommodate a single large event of up to 250 people or several small groups simultaneously.
The combined efforts to transform the Hotel Maytag from worn-out to wonderful restore a unique piece of Newton’s history. More than that, the renovated building has and will continue to contribute to the city’s economic development and population growth, as well as create enhanced quality-of-life amenities for visitors and residents alike. Ultimately, RDG’s challenge as the architect was the same challenge as the collective team’s—to do whatever it took to make it possible to pass this remarkable historic resource on to future generations, as it was given by those who came before
PHOTOS: Iris22 Productions unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT: RDG Planning & Design
ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANT: D.L. Adams Associates
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER: Estes Construction
DEVELOPER: Hatch Development Group
HISTORIC TAX CREDIT CONSULTANT: History Pays!, (515) 274-3625
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIER: SPECcetera
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Tometich Engineering Inc.
MEP ENGINEER: Twin Rivers Engineering
Materials
CARPET TILE: Shaw Contract
CERAMIC TILE: Daltile
DOOR HARDWARE: ABH Manufacturing Inc., Dorma Door Controls, National Guard and Rockwood
ELECTRIC TRACTION ELEVATOR: Kone
FIXED AUDIENCE SEATING: Irwin Seating Co.
LIGHTING: Hubbell Lighting, Lithonia Lighting and Philips
PAINTS AND COATINGS: Sherwin-Williams
PLEATED WINDOW SHADES: Graber CrystalPleat by SWFContract
PLUMBING FIXTURES: American Standard and Delta
RESIDENTIAL APPLIANCES: Frigidaire and LG
RESIDENTIAL CASEWORK: Moehl Millwork and Smart Cabinetry
RESILIENT FLOORING: Six Degrees Flooring Surfaces
TOILET SHOWER BATH ACCESSORIES: EPCO
TPO ROOF: Versiweld from Versico Roofing Systems
WOOD DOORS: Masonite Architectural
WOOD WINDOWS: Marvin