Comments on: Downtown Des Moines Office Market

By: hank

hank — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:52:35 +0000

The Ruan Center was built in the International style. It was built with Cor-Ten Steel. Ever hear of the Daley Center in Chicago, or The Time Life Building in Chicago? They were also built with Cor-Ten steel. Oh, and so was the Picasso scultpure in the Daley Center Plaza.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=117138

http://www.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/D/DaleyCenter.html

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:04:44 +0000

When I think of the Ruan Center I don’t think of “postmodern” I think it looks more “post-apocolyptic.” I really think if you redid the outside in all glass, with a nice blue or silver coloration that property could look awesome. Right now it’s as bad as they get.

Downtown’s old stuff is great, fantastic really. It’s the crap that’s newer that looks terrible. The Hub tower is gonna look real bad when that teal/green color goes even more out of style than it is now.

Will any of my suggestions ever come to pass? Probably not. In the end architecture is art–some will like a design and others will hate it. Your passion and willingness to open debate are commendable!

By: #1 Hater

#1 Hater — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:42:45 +0000

Joeblack,

I agree about lots of the buildings downtown looking better if they were left alone. Although the Ruan is UGLY. I don’t see how you could make it worse. Anything you did to that building could only improve it.

#1 Hater

By: JoeBlack

JoeBlack — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:48:13 +0000

“Are you an idiot? Do you understand how real estate works? Supply and demand?
You must be a freakin artist because you just don’t get it.”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Downtown Des Moines will have higher vacancy rates at times. It will go up and it will go down naturally. I didn’t think I needed to give an Economics 101 lecture (as most understand those key points).

Also, I would recommend you take an architecture or an art history class so you know what your taling about when it comes to architecture. Some never learn from past mistakes (and usually it is done by those who are ignorant).

By: #1 Hater

#1 Hater — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:15:36 +0000

“Yes, 750,000 sq. ft. of office space is a lot to absorb, but hopefully it will lead to more opportunities for other companies to expand or relocate downtown.”
Are you an idiot? Do you understand how real estate works? Supply and demand?
You must be a freakin artist because you just don’t get it.

I sure hope we can keep the “Original” architecture the Ruan has, otherwise years from now we will miss having a rusted upside down trash can to admire.

#1 HATER

By: JoeBlack

JoeBlack — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:51:49 +0000

“Some major employers have decided to move to the suburbs” is a very inaccurate statement. ONE major employer is leaving and it’s not even a “huge” employer with 600 employees (of course it would have been awesome to see them stay downtown). Wellmark is constructing a new 500,000 sq. ft. headquarters building downtown. With a current 2% vacancy rate for class A space, downtown is doing fine in the office market. Yes, 750,000 sq. ft. of office space is a lot to absorb, but hopefully it will lead to more opportunities for other companies to expand or relocate downtown.

About the Ruan Center and the Hub Tower, these buildings are great examples of international and postmodern architecture. It would be AWEFUL to see their exteriors “modernized” to fit today’s tastes. New construction should show showcase current architecture. In most places, the buildings that were defaced in the past 50 years to make them “modern” are being converted back to their original architecture. Just look at the Masonic Temple for an example in Des Moines. Look at pictures of when the Hotel Randolph or the Register building were built to see what “modernization” can do to a building. HORRIBLE!

By: Bethany J

Bethany J — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:12:10 +0000

I know this dates me, but I can remember when they built the Ruan building. We were appalled that the building was just metal, but was supposed to “rust” over the years and look very nice.

Still waiting.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:53:54 +0000

801 Grand is dated….The Ruan is just so much more ugly that it distorts your vision, like beer goggles.

By: #1 Hater

#1 Hater — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:18:07 +0000

You nailed it, the Ruan building is by far the ugliest building downtown. It looks like someone took a rusted trash can, flipped it upside down and cut windows out. Principal building is Des Moines best, while Ruan is Des Moines ugly redheaded step-child.

If you don’t think that building is evil, you need to look up the address.(666 grand ave)

#1 HATER