Heart of America eyes East Village for a new HQ
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
This vacant lot just east of City Hall is where Heart of America is proposing its new headquarters. Photo: Google Maps
Heart of America is proposing a five-story office building in Des Moines' East Village, potentially relocating its Quad Cities-based headquarters to the riverfront area.
Why it matters: The proposal could help activate a prominent yet undeveloped city-owned parcel across from the vacant City Hall as Des Moines seeks to redevelop several former municipal sites.
Driving the news: City Council will consider a resolution today directing the city manager to receive and file the developer-initiated proposal for the site at 401 Robert D. Ray Drive and to negotiate the preliminary terms of a development agreement.
- It would be about 70,000 square feet, with mass timber construction under consideration, according to council documents.
Zoom in: Heart of America Group is a hospitality and real estate company known locally for its restaurants and hotels, including The Iowa Machine Shed, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, The Republic on Grand, and Hotel Renovo.
- It would use between 15,000 and 20,000 square feet for its headquarters.
The intrigue: City documents do not project the total cost of the project or the other possible tenants or uses for the rest of the building.
Flashback: A different five-story residential and commercial building was previously proposed for the site in 2024.
- That plan included about 70 apartments with a first-floor restaurant and retail or commercial space.
Context: City Hall was vacated earlier this year and most city offices relocated to the T.M. Franklin Cownie City Administration Building at 1200 Locust St.
- Attempts to sell or lease the former City Hall for permanent redevelopment have been unsuccessful.
- The City Council recently approved limited special-event rentals there, including a Des Moines Metro Opera gala.
Zoom out: Des Moines is also developing plans for the nearby Argonne Armory, where a mixed-use project featuring apartments, retail and a bar has been proposed.
What's next: If negotiations progress, the city would later return the preliminary terms to the council.
- A competitive disposition process is required, including a hearing and a 30-day window for submitting competing proposals.