This is a two-part article, you’ll see the second part tomorrow. Both articles are entirely about this article in the Register highlighting Hubbell’s conversion of the Mitchell Transmission building into downtown’s newest place to live. This new place will be The West End Lofts, and the location (in my opinion) is pretty good….

As some downtown Des Moines developers are shifting from condos to apartments, Hubbell Realty says it will spend nearly $6 million to turn the former Mitchell Transmission building into 31 condominiums.

Jarad Bernstein, a Hubbell spokesman, said the company knows the downtown market - it has condo and townhouse projects on Court and Grand avenues - and expects the West End Lofts to sell well.

Here’s more specific details on the project.

The West End Lofts, across the street from the city’s $30 million Western Gateway Park, will cost between $145,000 and $300,000 and range in size from 660 to 1,825 square feet, Bernstein said.

The one-, two- and three-bedroom condos will be on the second and third floors. Hubbell will develop 3,400 square feet for retail use on the first floor, with the remaining space used for 55 heated parking spaces.

Some third-floor lofts will have rooftop patios, Bernstein said.

Other features include original wood ceilings, some as high as 17 feet, and exposed brick walls. Buyers also have the option of making the third bedroom a loft.

Redevelopment is expected to be completed in fall 2008.

Bernstein said FM Hubbell, Son & Co. built the original building in 1916. It was an auto dealership. Hubbell Realty purchased the 67,600-square-foot building at 1440 Locust St. for $800,000 in 2005.

This isn’t something people didn’t know was coming, but it is interesting to see them stick to this direction of selling lofts with the current trending of the market.