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219 East Grand

This 6-story mixed-use building represents the first phase of a 1.5 block development in the downtown’s eastern neighborhood. The design employs a brick and weathered steel palette to provide a modern, durable complement to the district’s historic building fabric.

Dark brick faces the building’s primary street facades. Weathering steel clads the building’s south elevation. Residents enjoy access to the upper level terrace and amenity spaces for small group gatherings. The courtyard introduces a semi-public green space at grade. Retention chambers harbor storm water beneath the lawn.

17,000-sf of retail space extend pedestrian shopping and dining from the neighborhood’s core toward downtown. The building’s 98 apartments include a mix of unit types, including an optional loft configuration for the 5th and 6th floors. These lofts, with private terraces, modulate the building’s northern mass. Perforated galvanized steel balconies populate the remainder of the street side façade.

A parking structure across the street provides dedicated spaces for residents to maximize street parking that supports the building’s ground level retail.

Project Type: Mixed-Use, Housing

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Size: 106,585 SF

Completed: 2017

Awards: 2021 AIA Iowa Design Award (Merit)

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