Reliance Building (University Club)

  • Developer/Project Proponent: Perry Stewart
  • Project Address: 1526-5th Avenue
  • Renew Moline Role: Design review, development agreement/lease negotiation/support
  • Completion Date: 2011
  • Economic Incentives:   Tax abatement
  • Project/website link: Home – The University Club (universityclubqc.com)

Rich with Moline history and originally known as the Reliance Building, the structure was constructed 1912 at 1526-5th Avenue in the heart of Downtown Moline. The five-story Chicago School style building, considered to the city’s first modern fireproof commercial building, was designed by local architect Olaf Z. Cervin and built by Henry W. Horst CO for Businessmen C.I. Josephson, Edwin Coryn, and Dr. J.W. Seids.  Josephson Jewelers had a store front on the lower west side of the building and added an 18-foot Seth Thomas post street clock on the sidewalk outside his store.  Today the clock is mounted on a smaller pole and located on the south side of 5th Avenue at 15th Street.  In 2008, Perry Stewart along with his wife and business partners purchased the building and started renovating the space into The University Club. They First developed the 2nd floor and then opened the first floor in 2011. Today the building retains its historic character and hosts special events, weddings and parties.

Reliance Building (University Club)