Former Des Moines opera house faces demolition

Driving the news: City staff say the buildings meet the criteria for landmark designation, which could delay demolition and force a closer look at preservation options.

Catch up quick: Graham Investment Company is seeking permission to demolish the Brown Garage complex at 401 and 411 Grand Ave. and 516 Fourth St.

• That includes the former Des Moines Auditorium, a 3,000-seat theater that was said at the time to be the second-largest opera house in the country, behind only Chicago's Auditorium Theater.

Zoom in: The auditorium was later converted into Brown Garage, which once housed 1,250 vehicles and was, at one point, the third-largest parking garage in the world, according to city documents.

Behind the scenes: Graham president Doug Den Adel told the Business Record earlier this month that the company wants to clear the property and market the site for redevelopment.

• City leaders were not aware of redevelopment plans, per the Record.

The intrigue: The complex is just across the street from the former Koch Office Group building at 325 Grand Ave., which was demolished in 2024.

• That lot, owned by Knapp Properties, is still undeveloped.

What's next: If the council refers the request to the Historic Preservation Commission, the panel would have up to 90 days to work with the owner on alternatives to demolition.