An architectural rendering of Apple’s planned data center in Waukee that was released in 2017 when the project was announced.

Building permits were issued in April for 30 new Des Moines-area commercial projects including the much-anticipated Apple Inc. data center development in Waukee, a Costco members-only retail store in Ankeny and a mixed-use project in West Des Moines that will include Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

The value of the 30 new commercial permits totaled more than $203.8 million, a review showed.

Between Jan. 1 and April 30, 63 new commercial building permits valued at more than $496.5 million were issued by 13 area communities and Polk County. In the first four months of 2021, 58 new commercial building permits valued at over $565.8 million were issued.

Highlights from April’s commercial building permit review include:

• A permit valued at $6.7 million issued for the construction of the first data center in Apple Inc.’s campus in Waukee. The Waukee City Council earlier this year approved the site plan for the project, which when completed is expected to be valued at $1.3 billion. Apple, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company behind products like iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, announced in 2017 that it would construct a state-of-the-art data center in Waukee near the intersection of Hickman Road and S Avenue. The project, however, was delayed. Its first phase includes the construction of a 315,773-square-foot data center. The contractor is Turner Construction Co.

• Three permits valued at over $21.8 million for the construction of a Costco retail store and fuel pumps that will be located at 4000 N.E. Spectrum Drive in Ankeny. Last fall, Ankeny’s Plan and Zoning Commission approved a site plan for Costco that includes a 195,000-square-foot facility with a warehouse retail store, tire center and distribution center. The development will also include a free-standing fuel facility. Costco expects to have the store open by this fall, according to city documents.

• A permit valued at $47.8 million for the construction of a four-story mixed-use project that will include a Ruth’s Chris Steak House, apartments and other retail and commercial spaces. The steakhouse, the project’s anchor, is proposed to be located in a 15,000-square-foot, two-story building with three patios. The project, being co-developed by CRG Residential and Great Lakes Capital, was announced in May 2021 and is located at 950 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.

 • A permit valued at $25.5 million for the construc-tion of a five-story, mixed-use project that will include retail, restaurant and office space and owner-occupied condominiums. The project, called Jordan Creek Tower, is located at 595 S. 60th St. in West Des Moines. Construction is expected to take up to 17 months. DRA Properties is the project’s master developer; Keen Project Solutions is the general contractor. The building was designed by Simonson & Associates (rendering above).

• A permit valued at $5.3 million for the construction of an 11,350-square-foot building in which Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant will be located. The building for the restaurant, headquartered in Orland Park, Ill., is being built at 12801 University Ave. in Clive on the site once occupied by Granite City Food & Brewery.

• A permit valued at $4 million for the construction of a 51,355-square-foot production facility at PDM Precast’s campus at 3312 E. Granger Ave. in Des Moines. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall.

April commercial building permits 

Building permits were issued for 30 new commercial projects in April by area communities. The value of the new permits totaled more than $203.8 million, a review shows.

To find out what commercial building permits were issued for new projects as well as others valued at $250,000 or more, click here. To view a spreadsheet that includes the commercial building permit information, click here.

You can also view commercial building permits issued in 2021 by clicking here.