What happened to the marquee on the Ingersoll Theater?
Its sudden absence from the front of the landmark building may seem alarming to those who’ve watched the long deterioration of the historic structure, empty for more than 10 years.
But it’s actually an encouraging sign, so to speak. The theater is undergoing a $4.7 million renovation to return it to its longtime role as a dinner theater by late this fall. and VenuWorks, the Ames-based theater-restoration company that’s leading the project. says the marquee was removed so it can be restored to its former glory.
The marquee dates back to the opening of the former cinema in 1939. The restoration will revive its “sidewalk-illuminating lights” and “Iconic comma shaped swirl,” VenuWorks said in a news release Friday, June 27. It also will add an LED display,
“The marquee isn’t just a sign—it’s a cherished piece of our city’s story,” developer Connor Delaney, who purchased the building in 2022 for $550,000, said in the news release. “This project ensures it continues to shine brightly for generations to come.”
Philip Joens covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184 or pjoens@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: The Ingersoll Theater’s signature marquee is gone. What’s going on?
Reporting by Philip Joens, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
