CEDAR RAPIDS - One of the biggest post-flood investments in Czech Village will open Friday, in time for the historic neighborhood’s biggest annual event.

The Red Baron Bar & Dance Club, 62 16th Ave. SW, opens at 10 a.m. to help kick off the three-day Houby Days festival.

“It’s been a pretty big job,” said Barbara Kilpatrick of Stark Real Estate in Fairfax, which owns the bar. “From what I’ve seen it’s well worth it.”

In the nearly two years since 8 feet of floodwaters raged through the building, the former Czech Quarters Pub has been transformed into a European castle-style club.

Baron Stark, owner of Stark Real Estate and Stark Enterprises, purchased about a dozen Czech Village properties in the aftermath of the June 2008 flood.

Stark, who has spent many sleepless nights getting the bar finished, has said his Czech Village investments will have an estimated $1.8 million value upon completion.

The Red Baron represents his largest job in the village so far, in time and expense, Kilpatrick said.

Kelly Mooney, Stark Enterprises office manager, said stamped concrete was brought in from Chicago for the stone-like walls and floors.

The restored pressed-tin ceiling and torch lighting add to the European castle ambience inside.

Food, including brats, will be available.

The bar features a dance floor, pool tables and dart machines, with seating for nearly 150.

An additional 10 tables dot an outdoor beer garden. Up to a dozen people will be on the payroll, including bartenders, servers and a manager.

Brick red paint on the exterior makes the building easy to find, next to the Kosek Bandstand.

Stark battled rumors early on that the Red Baron would be a strip club or skinhead bar.

World War II memorabilia and Iron cross symbols decorate the interior, but Stark has said the symbols just reflect his interests as a history buff.

The building itself holds historical interest: the two-story portion of the bar was built in the early 20th century and housed various businesses, including a cigar shop and a potato chip factory.

Other Czech Village business owners are eager for the bar to open.

Deb Christensen, owner of Art 2 M Broidery, 92 16th Ave. SW, and vice president of the Czech Village Association, discussed Houby Days with Kilpatrick in the bar.

Morel mushrooms arrived in time for the egg and houby breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Christensen kept her fingers crossed for good weather.

The Red Baron will be another draw for the village, Christensen said.

“People are curious to see the transformation,” she said. “It’s amazing.”