Developments we're watching in 2026
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Valley West Mall food court. Photo: Linh Ta/Axios
There's a lot of movement happening across the Des Moines metro this year, including pickleball courts, medical spaces and a second life for downtown buildings.
- Below are the developments we're excited about.
Waukee's new food hall
A new indoor-outdoor food and entertainment hub is headed to Kettlestone Central, a growing mixed-use development in Waukee along Grand Prairie and Westown Parkway.
Driving the news: Kettlestone Social will be a new year-round venue that includes a food hall for six vendors, according to Caliber Company, the developer.
Zoom in: The two-story facility includes arcade games, duckpin bowling, outdoor pickleball courts and a rooftop bar.
New life for U.S. Courthouse annex
The U.S. Courthouse Annex is getting new life this year with new tenants. Mission Cancer and Blood moved into the building in late December and more are expected to open this year.
Flashback: The annex was vacated as part of the plans to build the new federal courthouse at 101 Locust St.
State of play: A portion of the annex will also be leased this year by RSM McGladrey, which is moving out of Capital Square, per the Register.
- Developer Riverview DSM owns the building and plans to turn the remaining commercial space into a restaurant and offices.
- A nearby parking garage is also planned east of the building.
Valley West Mall
West Des Moines officials have been hush-hush about who is buying the aging mall space, but economic development director Ryan Moffatt told Axios we can expect to see some action happening soon after the city approved rezoning the site in November.
Our thought bubble: Bring back the McDonald's with the carousel! And Suncoast and the Disney Store!