Moline, Ill. – Quad City Bank & Trust is putting the historic Velie Mansion on the market, hoping to find a buyer who will honor its rich heritage. The 115‑year‑old property has long been a landmark in the Quad Cities, linked to the Velie family—descendants of John Deere—and the early Velie automobile.
Bank’s Perspective on the Sale
Dave Ford, vice president and facilities manager for Quad City Bank & Trust, said the mansion’s history makes it a unique asset. “You walk in the building and you know it’s different. You would absolutely know there’s something special about this place,” Ford explained.
Ford highlighted the mansion’s connection to the Velie automobile, noting that the cars built in the early 1900s are now rare collectibles. “Between the history of the vehicle and the connection to John Deere, it becomes very prominent,” he said.
From Restaurant to Bank Headquarters
Over the decades, the mansion has served many roles. In its later years it operated as a high‑end restaurant where locals celebrated proms, anniversaries and other milestones. It later became known as The Plantation, a restaurant and nightclub that hosted community gatherings.
In the early 2000s, Quad City Bank & Trust moved its offices into the mansion as part of a strategy to increase its presence in Illinois. Ford described the experience as “not the standard cube farms and four‑square walls” of a typical office. Employees work in rooms that retain original details such as chandeliers, fireplaces, built‑in bookshelves and period wallpaper.
Preserving History While Planning for the Future
The bank has taken a careful approach to maintenance, emphasizing investigation, repair and preservation. “We take the approach of investigate, fix it, preserve it, prevent any further damage, fix any internal damage, and then put things back the way they were because we do care about the history of this,” Ford said.
Ford noted that the lessons learned maintaining the mansion are informing the design of a new headquarters and a future Moline branch, including considerations for HVAC, lighting, plumbing and customer flow.
Looking Ahead
Quad City Bank & Trust plans to remain in the mansion until its new Moline branch opens. The bank expects to move its headquarters to Bettendorf in the final months of 2027, after which the mansion will likely be vacated.
Ford expressed hope that the next owner will continue to cherish the building. “My best hope for this building is that someone loves it as much as Quad City Bank & Trust does,” he said. “We hold this building very near and dear. It is a rich piece of our history.”
The bank is seeking a buyer who will preserve the mansion’s historic character while making it their own. As the property transitions to a new chapter, the community looks forward to seeing how this iconic landmark will continue to serve Moline and the Quad Cities.
Original reporting: KWQC TV6 Davenport (local) — read the source article.
