Heart of America eyes East Village for a new HQ
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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.
