Ashton and Ross Clemens, who were brothers, had the building built in 1913 to house their company, which was said to be the largest glass and paint business west of Chicago.

Established by the Clemens brothers, Standard Glass and Paint Company was in existence from 1903 to 1979.

It was Des Moines' leading wholesale and retail supplier of a variety of building and remodeling supplies.

Along with the neighboring Herring Motor Car Company Building it has been converted into loft apartments.

This article about a property in Polk County, Iowa on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.