16) HEART OF AMERICA:

This brick four story post and beam constructed building was built in 1900 as a warehouse for Moline Plow Company. It later became a part of Moline Consumers Sand and Gravel Company which vacated the building in the 1980’s leaving the windows boarded up which helped to keep this sizeable building from deteriorating.

Mike Whalen purchased the building in 1997 with plans to convert it into headquarters for his growing Heart of America Restaurants and Inns Corporation. Extensive work was done to the exterior of the building including installation of green framed replacement windows with decorative green awnings at the street level.  All the interior first-growth yellow pine support beams were cleaned and left exposed.  A central open stairway leading from the third to fourth floor was cut into the floor plan creating an attractive atrium.  Beams that were removed during this renovation were cut and polished and made into stair treads.  Paint was removed from all the brick walls returning them to their natural tan color.  The outstanding adaptive reuse of this former factory building converting it into an upscale business headquarters added considerably to the rebirth of Moline’s historic commercial district. 

Click   Here   to view the entire City of Moline Historic Tour with over 70 points of interest!