Historic Ruan space revived for Sips in the City
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Ruan Pavilion owners anticipate the space will become a hub for local events. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
Sips in the City, one of Winefest Des Moines' most anticipated events, is returning downtown this year with a fresh twist — it's happening inside the newly renovated Ruan Pavilion at the Ruan Center.
Why it matters: This is the first time the Ruan Pavilion — a former bank lobby turned office space — is being used for Sips, marking a new chapter for the used downtown venue.
- Ruan Center officials aim to transform the 11,000-square-foot space into a regular events destination.
Catch up quick: The Ruan Center, added to the National Register of Historic Places this year, encompasses the 600 block of Grand and Locust avenues.
- The 36-story office building includes the Pavilion and the adjacent 14-story Two Ruan, which is under residential redevelopment.
Flashback: The pavilion space was once a bustling public area with bank tellers.
- Over the decades, it was sectioned off for private offices until 2021, when those offices were relocated and the open space was mainly used for Ruan Center employee activities, building manager Jona Schmidt tells Axios.
State of play: Ruan officials recognized the potential for an events space following a Des Moines Metro Opera gala there last year.
- Sips will help them assess possible future enhancements, Schmidt said.
Zoom in: Sips was at Smash Park in West Des Moines in recent years and is moving downtown partly in response to guest feedback, Winefest board member Chris Diebel tells Axios.
- "It's a big, open blank canvas with floor-to-ceiling windows and a vintage mid-century feel," he said.
If you go: 6-9pm June 13.
- Tickets, including access to 150 wines, start at $50.