Murillo Flats facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Murillo Flats
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 611 16th St. Des Moines, Iowa |
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| Built | 1905 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000404 |
| Added to NRHP | June 9, 2009 |
The Murillo Flats is a three-story brick apartment building in Des Moines, Iowa. It was built in 1903 and used to be in a different part of the city. On March 1, 2008, something incredible happened: this huge 705-ton building was moved to a new spot! This was a very big project, and many people watched it. The building was moved so it could be saved and used again. In 2009, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
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Why Was Murillo Flats Moved?
In 2007, a company called Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield wanted to build a new main office. They bought a large area in downtown Des Moines. This land had several old buildings on it, including Murillo Flats. Wellmark decided they wanted to save some of these historic buildings instead of tearing them down.
They offered to give away the buildings if someone would move them. A person named Phil Kaser agreed to pay for moving Murillo Flats. Wellmark gave him the building and some money they saved by not having to demolish it.
How Was the Building Prepared for Moving?
Getting Murillo Flats ready to move took 17 days. First, workers used special saws to cut the building away from its old foundation. Then, they used powerful hydraulic machines to lift the entire building up. After that, they placed it onto many dollies.
These dollies had a total of 192 wheels! Each wheel could move on its own and even turn 90 degrees. This meant the building could change direction without the whole structure needing to turn. Power lines along the route also had to be moved to make space for the tall building.
The Big Move Day
The plan was to move the building three blocks along High Street. City officials wanted the move to happen during the day on a Saturday. This was because they were worried the building's weight might damage sewer pipes underground. March 1 was the very last day the move could happen, or Wellmark would have torn the building down.
The move started early in the morning. But it was a bit tricky because the weather was warming up, and melting snow made the ground muddy. The wheels got stuck! It took a long time, but with the help of two big tow trucks, the building finally started rolling onto High Street. This part took more than four hours, much longer than expected.
By Saturday evening, the building was next to its new home. On March 2, it was carefully placed over a new hole where its new foundation would be built. This amazing event was filmed by nine cameras for a TV show called Monster Moves. You might have seen it on the Discovery Channel or National Geographic Channel.
What Will Happen to Murillo Flats Now?
Phil Kaser, the person who helped move the building, plans to rent out the apartments. He might even sell them as condominiums in the future. This way, the historic Murillo Flats building will continue to be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
