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Real Estate and Development

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Urbandale hotel acquired by bank in foreclosure proceedings

A South Dakota bank has acquired the Ramada Inn at 5000 Merle Hay Road in Urbandale through foreclosure proceedings. Photo by Polk County assessor

A hotel at 5000 Merle Hay Road in Urbandale has been acquired …

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Argonne Building’s $7.25 million renovation nearing completion; tenants will begin moving in soon

A worker fixes a hinge on a door in the entryway of  the Argonne Building at 1723 Grand Ave. in downtown Des Moines. The $7.25 million historic renovation of the structure is nearly complete. Photo by …

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High-profile Highland Park building underwent structural repairs before start of renovation

The exterior of the building that houses Chuck’s Restaurant will be refreshed as part of a $1.24 million renovation. Architectural rendering by Simonson & Associates Architects LLC

Before a $1.24 million renovation could begin on a …

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Houses for sale in Des Moines area selling quickly

Houses were on the market in the Greater Des Moines area an average of 43 days in October, the smallest number of days since July 2018 when homes were sold on average in 44 days, …

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NOTABLE TRANSACTIONS: Former Fitness World West property in West Des Moines sold

A medical claim auditing and advocacy company, now with offices in downtown Des Moines, has purchased the property at 3200 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines that for two decades was home to a fitness center.

ClaimDoc …

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Caldwell, Reiland join JLL’s Des Moines office

Eric Caldwell and Abi Reiland have joined JLL’s Des Moines office, the real estate and investment management firm announced. Caldwell is a designated member of the Appraisal Institute and comes to Des Moines after nearly …

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Ankeny’s Prairie Trail development continues to thrive, even during a pandemic

Construction is nearing completion on a three-story mixed-use building at 1355 S.W. Park Square Drive in the District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Photo by Kathy A. Bolten

During the past eight months, the nation’s retail …

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$40 million renovation of Hippee Building complete

Before a $40 million restoration project could begin on a century-plus-old historic downtown Des Moines building, its interior had to be gutted.  


The demolition uncovered numerous surprises.


Hardwood maple floors were discovered underneath carpeting on …

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BREAKING: Merle Hay Mall to become home of Buccaneers hockey team

The former Younkers department store space at Merle Hay Mall will be transformed into an arena for the Des Moines Buccaneers and an event center, the mall’s owner said. Also planned is a 150-room hotel. …

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A look back: Hippee Building billed as ‘absolutely fireproof’ when it opened in 1913 in downtown Des Moines

The Hippee Building, which recently underwent a $40 million renovation, was among the first in Des Moines to employ steel framing, according to Alexa McDowell, an architectural historian. The Surety Hotel and Mulberry Street Tavern…