I had the opportunity to tour the model unit of the great project The Brownstones on Grand.  What a cool development!

The Brownstones are very unique in that they are designed like the Brownstones out east, much more like a row home or a townhouse than a condo.  This is a very unique project, in that you can live in your own “house” on Grand, just a few blocks from the center of downtown.  I don’t know of many cities where you can find that type of residence in that location.

These units are right on Grand, and offer your own 2 or 3 car garage, depending on your layout.  This is the only project I have seen that has this feature.  Most places have either underground parking, a parking garage, or a parking lot–I haven’t seen any others that offer your very own garage.

When the Principal riverwalk is completed the appeal to the location will be even better than it is now.  At the NW corner of 2nd and Grand is where this property sits, which is pretty cool.  Less than a block from the river, which puts you right in the middle of downtown to you west and the East Village to your east.

Here are my pros and cons to living here.

Pros:

• Great location
• Very luxurious
• Your own garage–yes, 2 or 3 car attached garage of your own
• Tremendous value (again, my opinion)
• 10 year tax abatement.

Quick note about the tax abatement.  Moving downtown is something that the city of Des Moines is encouraging to the tune of a 10 year tax abatement.  On this property if you figure a $500,000 tax value, would be $10,000 per year in property tax.  That means the city is paying  you $100,000 to move downtown!  (estimates are mine, and pricing today of the Brownstones starts below $400,000)

Cons:

•  Lots of steps, then more steps, and then some more
• You’re right on the street, although gated, it feels less secure than a high rise
• Not the cheapest option in town
• A lot of money to have a homeless shelter (YMCA) right across the street

Overall, I can do nothing but highly recommend this property.  The units are all over 2,000 square feet, the views are great, and the location is fantastic.  Not to mention you get your own garage, a gated neighborhood and you’re less than one block from the sky-walks.

I heard the only unit that has been taken is the model unit, so that means you can come in and customize your new home on Grand.

The Brownstones on Grand, one of my favorite places you can live in Downtown Des Moines.