The Des Moines Embassy Club, on the 34th floor of the Ruan Tower with expansive views of the city, is planning a series of upgrades to prepare the club for the next generation of members.

Michael Bailey, president and CEO of the Des Moines Embassy Club, said the club has a long history in the community.

“A lot of what you see in the skyline was decided in agreements that were made over a martini lunch at the Embassy Club,” he said. “Oftentimes, there weren’t any lengthy contracts. It was done on the back of a cocktail napkin, and all of a sudden, the next large building is going up in Des Moines. So, the club has a really rich cultural and social background with the city of Des Moines.”

Bailey said the club’s 21-member board has approved renovations to the approximately 13,000-square-foot space that has hosted numerous community and philanthropic events over the years.

He said the Embassy Club just signed an extended lease and with a growth in membership, especially among younger professionals, the time was right to make upgrades to the facility.

According to Bailey, planned improvements include opening up the space and taking down some walls and creating a view to the west similar to the view people see when they look to the east toward the state Capitol.

The reception area will be redesigned, the bar will be remodeled with updated furniture and enhanced lighting, Bailey said.

The club’s catering space will be expanded. The dance floor will be replaced and new floor coverings will be installed throughout, he said.

“We’re still analyzing some projects,” Bailey said. “We’re also looking to add a family restroom and remodel our current restroom, but we’re still in the planning processes of some of those large projects, so we’ll see where everything lands.”

What will remain unchanged are the crystal chandeliers, Bailey said.

“I believe they were purchased in 1918 and we’re going to keep them and keep that club feel and some of the shared history,” he said. “So, we’re making changes but still recognizing our ties to the past.”

Bailey said the Embassy Club has more than 1,000 members, who have use of the downtown location and the Embassy Club at 520 Market St. in West Des Moines.

No major improvements are planned to the West Des Moines location.

The Embassy Club was founded in 1946 with its first home in what is now the Hotel Fort Des Moines. It merged with the Des Moines Club in 2002. The Des Moines Club was founded in 1909 in what is now the Des Lux Hotel.

The Des Moines Club moved to the top of the Ruan Center in 1975. The Embassy Club went through several locations until it settled at the top of 801 Grand in 1992.

The merged club operated in two downtown locations until 2010, when it closed the 801 Grand location and moved into a location in West Des Moines to better accommodate the move of its membership to the western suburbs.

Bailey said the club’s membership includes young professionals in their 20s to people in their 90s.

“It is a cross section of business leaders holding every title you can imagine,” he said. “It’s been a place where Des Moines has done business.”

Bailey said improvements are estimated to cost up to $750,000, an expense that will be footed by the membership.

He said work will be done in phases to limit interruptions to the club’s members. The goal is to have the improvements completed by early 2027.

“This is my 26th year with the club and I’ve seen a lot of changes,” he said. “I’m excited for this fresh look for our membership. Our board of directors has very visionary leadership and our members are really excited to see these upgrades and to see what the next 100 years of the Embassy Club is going to bring Des Moines.”