Wells Fargo will move a large number of its downtown Des Moines workers to its 160-acre Jordan Creek campus in West Des Moines, the company told employees on Friday.

The company will vacate its downtown office buildings at 800 Walnut St. and 206 Eighth St., according to a spokesperson. The company is “evaluating our option for these properties, including sale,” according to Michael Slusark, a Wells Fargo spokesperson.

In the email to employees, Kristy Fercho, Wells Fargo’s head of home lending, wrote that “over the course of 2023, we will move the majority of Wells Fargo’s non-customer facing employees in the Des Moines area to our premier Jordan Creek Campus.” The campus, located at 800 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, “offers upgraded flexible workspaces, an onsite fitness center, a better variety of food options, beautiful outdoor space, and ample free parking,” she wrote.

Slusark said he did not know how many Wells Fargo employees work in downtown Des Moines. Fercho, in her email to employees, wrote that the legal department and corporate and investment banking team would remain downtown, working out of the company’s Northstar building at 801 Walnut St.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie issued a statement Friday about Wells Fargo’s announcement:

“The decision by Wells Fargo to relocate the majority of downtown positions to their Jordan Creek location is disappointing and frustrating. We believe downtown offers amenities that exemplify the benefits of working in an urban core and matches a national trend that other employers experience in locating their workers downtown.

“We are unsure how many workers would be affected; however, this decision follows Wells Fargo’s announcement earlier this month that they were reducing their position as a home mortgage lender. I am confident their decision does not reflect on the quality of workforce or economic environment provided in our city.

“As we move forward, the city will rely on its Development Services team and their years of demonstrated and successful collaboration with our community partners to fill this void and to encourage new development and business growth within one of the country’s most vibrant downtowns.”