Image courtesy of Neumann Monson Architects

By KERRY SMITH

DES MOINES, Iowa – Downtown Des Moines developers are bullish on apartment projects, driven by a huge increase in downtown residents.

Downtown Des Moines has experienced an 82 percent population increase since 2010 – with a media age of 30.2 – according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics. More than 9,100 people live downtown today, prompting developers to launch high-rise apartment communities of all shapes and sizes.

Among them is the 202-unit Falcon Apartments currently under construction on Mulberry Street, across the street from Central Iowa Shelter and Services.

Further eastward along Mulberry Street is the site of what will be a 78-unit apartment destination.

Plans for Iowa’s third-largest high-rise apartment development are progressing. Neumann Monson Architects has designed plans for a $140 million project on the site of the former Kaleidoscope at the Hub mall at 515 Walnut Street downtown. Demolition has already concluded and the project will soon move from planning into construction of a 33-story, 360-unit apartment community.

On the edge of downtown Des Moines in Sherman Hill, a 47-unit multifamily building is under construction across from Big Grove taproom on High Street.

Developer Ruan Transportation is joining with two Kansas City, Mo.-based companies to reimagine its 250,000-square-foot Two Juan Center on Locust Street into apartments.