Waukee's Kettlestone area could be its next downtown
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A rendering of Kettlestone Social and the greater Kettlestone Central area. Photo: Courtesy of Caliber
Waukee developers are pitching the growing Kettlestone Central district as the city's future "Main Street" area.
Why it matters: Waukee has never had a traditional Main Street, but developers hope the 164-acre mixed-use district will become the town center, complete with restaurants, housing, entertainment and walkable streets, says Justin Washburn, realty director for local developer Caliber.
Flashback: The Waukee Triangle has historically been considered the suburb's downtown area, housing local businesses and a weekly farmers market.
- But the fastest-growing city in Iowa is also rapidly growing west and southwest, changing the makeup of the once sleepy suburb and also prompting some growing pains.
The big picture: Kettlestone Central is part of the city's larger, 1,500-acre Kettlestone corridor that it unveiled in 2014 along Alice's Road.
- The central district is expected to have 1,200 residential units, with at least 1,800 residents, Washburn says.
- It sits east of Grand Prairie Parkway and south of Southeast Pleasant View Drive.
How it started: Kettlestone has been in Waukee's long-term vision for years, but momentum has finally picked up, Washburn says.
- In 2019, the interchange opened for Interstate 80 at Alice's Road.
- Nearby development has also boomed, including Vibrant Music Hall, Holmes Murphy and Target.
Zoom in: Kettlestone Social, a two-story family-friendly entertainment space with a food hall, was announced by Caliber last month, with an opening date expected in 2026.
- Caliber expects it to be popular with families, especially people looking for food to eat after attending a game at the nearby Kettlestone Central Sports Complex, Washburn says.
What's next: Kettlestone Lofts, with one- and two-bedroom apartments, opened this month.
- Caliber is seeking residents for the Kettlestone Townhomes that are under construction. They're for sale and for rent.
- Washburn says Caliber is also planning a large, 220-unit mixed-use building that will have residential and commercial space.
What they're saying: "We really believe that this will be, in the future, what people envision as the downtown for Waukee," Washburn says.