Kahl Building
The Kahl Building is a historic ten-story commercial building in downtown Davenport, Iowa, incorporating the Capitol Theatre and later converted into apartments.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Kahl Building is a ten-story historic commercial building in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Rising approximately 146 feet, it was designed by Davenport architect Arthur Ebeling and completed in 1920 for Henry Kahl and Walsh-Kahl Construction. Its design reflects the influence of the Chicago School and, particularly, Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building in St. Louis. The lower stories feature comparatively elaborate ornament, while the upper elevations are more restrained, using recessed spandrel panels, strong vertical piers, paired round-arch windows, and a prominent cornice to emphasize the building's height. Constructed for approximately $1.5 million, the steel-frame building was marketed as high-quality office space and was fully leased before construction was finished. Historically, it contained 184 office suites, retail shops, a restaurant, and the Capitol Theatre. Interior details included Alabama marble in the lobby, with pink veining, as well as bronze and copper doors. The property became an important example of early twentieth-century commercial architecture in the city and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In 2020 it was recognized as a contributing property within the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District. The Capitol Theatre forms the building's most prominent entertainment component. It opened on December 25, 1920, as a 2,500-seat movie palace commissioned by Henry C. Kahl. Designed internally by the Chicago firm Rapp & Rapp, the theatre originally featured gold-leaf decoration, chandeliers, grand pianos, and a large pipe organ. Its original organ was later replaced by a Wicks theatre organ with 700 pipes. The venue hosted films, vaudeville, touring performers, and the 1959 Winter Dance Party featuring Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. It joined the RKO circuit in 1927 and ceased regular operation as a movie theatre in 1977. In 1994, the family of Davenport banker V. O. Figge and his wife Elizabeth, Henry Kahl's daughter, donated the building to the Scott Community College Foundation. The Eastern Iowa Community College District subsequently used the property for educational purposes. The district announced in 2014 that it planned to relocate, and its replacement campus opened in January 2018. The Kahl Building was sold that year to Jim Bergman of JNB Capitol Building for $2 million. A later redevelopment converted much of the property into 65 market-rate apartments while retaining significant historic elements, including the original gold elevators, marble floors, plasterwork, and decorative artwork. The building renovation was completed in 2023. The Capitol Theatre was also restored as part of a separate $24 million project completed in 2023. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on July 12, 2023, and the venue was planned for concerts, plays, comedy, and film screenings. The theatre's restoration preserves one of Davenport's major surviving historic entertainment interiors while giving the wider Kahl Building a mixed residential, cultural, and heritage role.
History
The Kahl Building was constructed in 1920 in downtown Davenport, Iowa, by Henry Kahl and Walsh-Kahl Construction. Designed by local architect Arthur Ebeling, the ten-story structure was conceived as a major office building at a time when demand for high-quality commercial space was strong. It was reportedly fully leased before construction was completed. The building used a steel frame with stone and decorative terra-cotta facing, and its architectural language drew heavily from the Chicago School. Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building is identified as a principal model, particularly in the contrast between richly ornamented lower levels and more restrained upper stories. The building's exterior uses recessed spandrel panels and vertical piers to create a pronounced sense of height. Its upper portion is capped by paired round-arch windows and an elaborate cornice. Inside, the lobby was finished with pink-swirled Alabama marble, bronze, and copper. The original program included 184 office suites, retail premises, a restaurant, and the Capitol Theatre, making the property both a commercial address and a major public destination. The Capitol Theatre opened on Christmas Day in 1920 as a 2,500-seat palace-style cinema. Henry C. Kahl intended it to be an exceptionally luxurious theatre for Davenport and Iowa. Rapp & Rapp of Chicago designed the interior, which included chandeliers and gold-leaf decoration. The original M. P. Moller pipe organ was later replaced by a Wicks organ costing $30,000. The Wicks instrument has 700 pipes and received a $75,000 restoration in 2000; it is described as the only Wicks theatre organ still in its original home. A seven-story stage house and stage expansion were added in 1925 by Clausen & Kruse, with Priester Construction Company serving as general contractor. The theatre joined the RKO circuit in 1927. The venue hosted motion pictures, vaudeville, and live performers. One notable event was the 1959 Winter Dance Party, which included Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens shortly before their deaths in an airplane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. The theatre stopped operating as a regular movie house in 1977 and was then the last of Davenport's movie palaces still in operation. The Kahl family connection continued through Elizabeth Figge, Henry Kahl's daughter. In 1994, Elizabeth and her husband, Davenport banker V. O. Figge, donated the property to the Scott Community College Foundation. The Eastern Iowa Community College District used the building for academic purposes until its planned departure. In August 2014, the district announced its intention to relocate, and its new campus opened in January 2018. The Kahl Building was sold in June of that year to Jim Bergman of JNB Capitol Building. The subsequent redevelopment adapted the building into 65 market-rate apartments while retaining original gold elevators, marble floors, handcrafted plasterwork, and detailed artwork. The apartment renovation was completed in 2023. The Capitol Theatre was restored through a separate $24 million project completed the same year. Although it had reportedly gone fourteen years without hosting a performance by 2023, the restored venue was intended for concerts, plays, comedians, and movies. Its planned reopening represented a renewed cultural role for a landmark that had served commercial, educational, cinematic, and residential purposes across more than a century.
- 2023
Apartment conversion and theatre restoration completed
[1]The building's conversion into 65 apartments and the Capitol Theatre restoration were completed.
- 2020
Recognized as a contributing property
[1]The building was included as a contributing property in the Davenport Downtown Commercial Historic District.
- 2018
Ownership changes and adaptive-reuse plan
[1]The building was sold to JNB Capitol Building after the community college opened its replacement campus.
- 2000
Wicks organ restored
[1]The Capitol Theatre's historic Wicks pipe organ underwent a major restoration.
- 1994
Donated to Scott Community College Foundation
[1]The Figge family donated the building to the Scott Community College Foundation.
- 1983
National Register listing
[1]The Kahl Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1977
Regular movie-theatre operation ends
[1]The Capitol Theatre discontinued operation as a working movie theatre.
- 1959
Winter Dance Party appearance
[1]The theatre hosted a Winter Dance Party program featuring Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.
- 1927
Capitol Theatre joins RKO circuit
[1]The theatre became part of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum circuit.
- 1925
Stage house and stage expanded
[1]A seven-story stage house and stage expansion were added to the theatre.
Products and positioning
A preserved downtown landmark combining historic commercial architecture, adaptive residential reuse, and a restored theatre venue.
Historic commercial real estate · 1920
Kahl Building offices and commercial premises
The original building was developed as a high-quality downtown office address with 184 office suites, retail shops, and a restaurant. Its steel-frame construction, stone and terra-cotta exterior, marble lobby, and Chicago School design made it one of Davenport's notable early twentieth-century commercial buildings.
Residential real estate · 2023
Kahl Building apartments
The adaptive-reuse project converted the former commercial building into 65 market-rate apartments. The renovation retained historic features including gold elevators, marble floors, handcrafted plasterwork, and detailed artwork.
Theatre and entertainment venue · 1920
Capitol Theatre
Opened in 1920 as a 2,500-seat movie palace, the Capitol Theatre has hosted films, vaudeville, concerts, and touring performers. Its restored facilities are intended for concerts, plays, comedy, and movies, with capacity described at approximately 2,000 seats.
Brand decisions
2023
Capitol Theatre restoration and cultural reuseOtherBackground
The theatre had not been used for a performance for approximately fourteen years by 2023, despite its historic importance.
Action taken
A restoration project was completed and the venue was prepared for concerts, plays, comedy performances, and movies.
Aftermath
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 12, 2023, with renewed live entertainment use planned.
Restoration project cost. $24 million (2023)
2018
Adaptive reuse into market-rate apartmentsStrategyBackground
After the community college's departure, the historic commercial property required a new long-term use.
Action taken
JNB Capitol Building acquired the property and pursued a conversion into 65 market-rate apartments while retaining significant historic interior features.
Aftermath
The apartment redevelopment was completed in 2023.
Purchase price. $2 million (June 2018)
2014
Eastern Iowa Community College plans relocationStrategyBackground
The Eastern Iowa Community College District had been using the Kahl Building for academic purposes and announced that it intended to move to a new downtown campus.
Action taken
The district proceeded with relocation to former First Federal Savings and Loan Association and First Midwest Bank buildings on West Third Street.
Aftermath
The replacement campus opened in January 2018, enabling the Kahl Building to be sold and redeveloped.
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