801 Grand High Rise Building (referred to as the 801 Grand Building and previously known as The Principal Building) is a 45-story skyscraper in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, operated and managed by JLL Americas and owned by Principal Financial Group (Principal Real Estate). The 801 Grand Building was constructed in 1989 and is the tallest building in Iowa. The building is part of a larger downtown campus run by Principal Financial Group and features a skywalk and an eight-sided copper pyramid at its top.
801 Grand High Rise Building
View of the north-east corner of 801 Grand. 711 High Street, the headquarters of Principal Financial Group, is in the foreground
Formal construction of the 801 Grand Building began in 1989, with Principal Financial Group serving as the developers and owners.[4][5] In February 1989, the foundation, consisting of 38,860 cubic yards (29,710 m3) of concrete, was poured, and 139 caissons were drilled.[6] The building was designed by Hellmuth Obata and Kassabaum.[7] During the design phase of the building, the tower was designed to house office spaces and blend with the architecture of the local area.[8] The tower cost $70 million to construct, with an additional $19 million parking lot being constructed and financed by the city of Des Moines. The building featured 705,000 square feet of office space, with 62 percent having been leased prior to completion of the building.[5] In 1990, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Donald Avenson toured the nearly completed building, specifically visiting the 40th and 41st floors. In total, the project involved approximately 500 workers representing a dozen separate labor unions.[9]
The 45-story 801 Grand Building was completed and opened in 1991.[7][8] The company JLL Americas serves as the buildings' manager.[10] When completed, the 630-foot (190 m) building overtook the Ruan Center as the tallest building in Iowa.[11][7] The building's height was taller than One Kansas City Place (626 feet (191 m) tall) and the Metropolitan Square in St. Louis (591 feet (180 m) tall), making it the tallest building in the Midwest between Chicago and Denver.[5] This record was broken by Omaha'sFirst National Bank Tower in 2002.[12][13]
In 2014, Principal Financial Group refitted their entire downtown campus with diode lights. Originally, the campus featured white lights but these were changed to LEDs due to issues with the white lights attracting and killing corn borer moths. This project was part of a $284 million renovation.[14]
Design
The 801 Grand Building follows a postmodern design. The tower's exterior is built out of granite with the upper levels featuring terraces and setbacks.[7] This was designed to minimize the building's impact on the city's skyline.[8] In total, the building's walls required a total of 3,000,000 pounds (1,400,000 kg) of granite.[9] The granite used in the 801 Grand's exterior is specifically Venetian gold granite, which is known for its distinctive golden color. The stone used for the 801 was originally mined in Brazil, processed in Italy, and imported to Des Moines. Conversely, the windows are framed with a darker variant of granite.[6]
The top of the building is an eight-sided pyramid covered in copper. Originally, the designers intended the copper to turn to a verdigris color via oxidation. Furthermore, the original 1987 designs indicate a light green cap that was designed to blend the building's profile in with the rest of Des Moines's skyline. This was never achieved due to the relatively low levels of sulfur pollution in the atmosphere, which led to the copper pyramid oxidizing to a deep brown color.[15]
The bottom three floors of the 801 Grand are designated for retail stores and restaurants, with the upper levels designated for office space.[7] The third floor connects to a skywalk system and the top two floors serve as a private restaurant.[8][4] The build was named one of the 50 most significant Iowa Buildings of the 20th Century by the Iowan chapter of the American Institute of Architects.[7]
Notable tenants
In 1993, the 801 Chophouse was established on the second floor of the 801 Grand. In 2022, the Des Moines Register listed the 801 Chophouse among the 12 best steakhouses in Des Moines. This restaurant serves as the chain's flagship and features a gallery of cattle-themed artwork.[16][17][18] The steakhouse has been used as a de facto clubhouse during the Iowa caucuses, and it is commonly visited by politicians and news personnel.[19]
In 2010, the First Church of Christ, Scientist relocated from their Des Moines building to the 801 Grand.[20] In 2020, insurance company F&G moved their headquarters to the 801 Grand Building. This move involved a $9.4 million renovation of 83,000 square feet (7,700 m2) of office space.[21]
Gallery
Image of the 801 Grand Building from the base of the tower
Image of the 801 Grand building with its nearby parking garage
Des Moines skyline at dusk, with the 801 Grand Building located in the center
^ ab"801 Grand - SkyscraperPage.com". from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2007.
^ ab. Archived from the original on September 20, 2004. Retrieved June 12, 2007.
^"801 Grand". Skyscraper Center. CTBUH. from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
^ ab"801 Grand, Des Moines - SkyscraperPage.com". skyscraperpage.com. from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
^ abcLester, Chris (June 17, 1990). "Des Moines' growth has concrete symbol". The Kansas City Star. from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022 – via Chicago Tribune.
^ abBurcum, Jill (July 31, 1989). "Office tower remains star of D.M. construction show". Newspapers.com. The Des Moines Register. p. 6S. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
^ abcdef"801 Grand". Iowa Architectural Foundation. from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
^ abcd. Emporis. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015.
^ abChallender, Mary (October 14, 1990). "Here are the workers who built D.M.'s grandest building". Newspapers.com. The Des Moines Register. p. 4P. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
^"Contact Building Management or Security | 801 Grand Building". 801 Grand. from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
^Norvell, Kim (November 16, 2020). "How the landmark Financial Center changed downtown Des Moines forever; National Register status may be next". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^D. Holt, Nancy (September 1, 1999). "Growing Midwestern Skyline Gets Boost From New Tower at First National Center". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
^Jorgensen, Susan (February 2003). "Omaha's First National Bank Tower Using Structural Lightweight Concrete to Build a Landmark" (PDF). ESCSI. (PDF) from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
^Magel, Todd (November 25, 2014). "Have you noticed a change in the Des Moines skyline?". KCCI. from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
^"Green becomes tall order for 801: Here's why: It takes sulfur to turn cap green". The Des Moines Register. July 23, 2005. p. 1D, 5D. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^Acevedo, C. (May 28, 2014). "Love meat tender: 801 Chophouse review". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^Carlson, Brian Taylor (March 4, 2019). "The hottest places in the Des Moines metro where you can eat steak". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^Stapleton, Susan (June 2022). "Here are 12 of the best steakhouses in the Des Moines metro area for prime rib, steak de Burgo and more". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^Martin, Jonathan (January 15, 2016). "Another Reason to Caucus Iowa: The Restaurants". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^Norvell, Kim (October 9, 2019). "Developers plan condos priced at up to $1.6M at historic Grand Avenue church". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^Norvell, Kim. "Des Moines-based Fidelity & Guaranty Life plans to expand downtown corporate headquarters". The Des Moines Register. from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
grand, high, rise, building, referred, building, previously, known, principal, building, story, skyscraper, moines, iowa, united, states, operated, managed, americas, owned, principal, financial, group, principal, real, estate, building, constructed, 1989, tal. 801 Grand High Rise Building referred to as the 801 Grand Building and previously known as The Principal Building is a 45 story skyscraper in Des Moines Iowa United States operated and managed by JLL Americas and owned by Principal Financial Group Principal Real Estate The 801 Grand Building was constructed in 1989 and is the tallest building in Iowa The building is part of a larger downtown campus run by Principal Financial Group and features a skywalk and an eight sided copper pyramid at its top 801 Grand High Rise BuildingView of the north east corner of 801 Grand 711 High Street the headquarters of Principal Financial Group is in the foregroundGeneral informationLocation801 Grand AvenueDes Moines Iowa United StatesConstruction started1989 1 Completed1991 1 2 OwnerPrincipal Financial GroupHeightRoof630 ft 190 m Technical detailsFloor count45Floor area922 467 sq ft 85 700 0 m2 3 Design and constructionArchitect s HOK 2 Website801grand wbr com Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 Notable tenants 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditFormal construction of the 801 Grand Building began in 1989 with Principal Financial Group serving as the developers and owners 4 5 In February 1989 the foundation consisting of 38 860 cubic yards 29 710 m3 of concrete was poured and 139 caissons were drilled 6 The building was designed by Hellmuth Obata and Kassabaum 7 During the design phase of the building the tower was designed to house office spaces and blend with the architecture of the local area 8 The tower cost 70 million to construct with an additional 19 million parking lot being constructed and financed by the city of Des Moines The building featured 705 000 square feet of office space with 62 percent having been leased prior to completion of the building 5 In 1990 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Donald Avenson toured the nearly completed building specifically visiting the 40th and 41st floors In total the project involved approximately 500 workers representing a dozen separate labor unions 9 The 45 story 801 Grand Building was completed and opened in 1991 7 8 The company JLL Americas serves as the buildings manager 10 When completed the 630 foot 190 m building overtook the Ruan Center as the tallest building in Iowa 11 7 The building s height was taller than One Kansas City Place 626 feet 191 m tall and the Metropolitan Square in St Louis 591 feet 180 m tall making it the tallest building in the Midwest between Chicago and Denver 5 This record was broken by Omaha s First National Bank Tower in 2002 12 13 In 2014 Principal Financial Group refitted their entire downtown campus with diode lights Originally the campus featured white lights but these were changed to LEDs due to issues with the white lights attracting and killing corn borer moths This project was part of a 284 million renovation 14 Design EditThe 801 Grand Building follows a postmodern design The tower s exterior is built out of granite with the upper levels featuring terraces and setbacks 7 This was designed to minimize the building s impact on the city s skyline 8 In total the building s walls required a total of 3 000 000 pounds 1 400 000 kg of granite 9 The granite used in the 801 Grand s exterior is specifically Venetian gold granite which is known for its distinctive golden color The stone used for the 801 was originally mined in Brazil processed in Italy and imported to Des Moines Conversely the windows are framed with a darker variant of granite 6 The top of the building is an eight sided pyramid covered in copper Originally the designers intended the copper to turn to a verdigris color via oxidation Furthermore the original 1987 designs indicate a light green cap that was designed to blend the building s profile in with the rest of Des Moines s skyline This was never achieved due to the relatively low levels of sulfur pollution in the atmosphere which led to the copper pyramid oxidizing to a deep brown color 15 The bottom three floors of the 801 Grand are designated for retail stores and restaurants with the upper levels designated for office space 7 The third floor connects to a skywalk system and the top two floors serve as a private restaurant 8 4 The build was named one of the 50 most significant Iowa Buildings of the 20th Century by the Iowan chapter of the American Institute of Architects 7 Notable tenants EditIn 1993 the 801 Chophouse was established on the second floor of the 801 Grand In 2022 the Des Moines Register listed the 801 Chophouse among the 12 best steakhouses in Des Moines This restaurant serves as the chain s flagship and features a gallery of cattle themed artwork 16 17 18 The steakhouse has been used as a de facto clubhouse during the Iowa caucuses and it is commonly visited by politicians and news personnel 19 In 2010 the First Church of Christ Scientist relocated from their Des Moines building to the 801 Grand 20 In 2020 insurance company F amp G moved their headquarters to the 801 Grand Building This move involved a 9 4 million renovation of 83 000 square feet 7 700 m2 of office space 21 Gallery Edit Image of the 801 Grand Building from the base of the tower Image of the 801 Grand building with its nearby parking garage Des Moines skyline at dusk with the 801 Grand Building located in the centerSee also EditList of tallest buildings in Iowa List of tallest buildings by U S stateReferences Edit a b 801 Grand SkyscraperPage com Archived from the original on December 26 2018 Retrieved June 12 2007 a b 801 Grand Des Moines Archived from the original on September 20 2004 Retrieved June 12 2007 801 Grand Skyscraper Center CTBUH Archived from the original on August 5 2017 Retrieved August 4 2017 a b 801 Grand Des Moines SkyscraperPage com skyscraperpage com Archived from the original on September 13 2022 Retrieved September 12 2022 a b c Lester Chris June 17 1990 Des Moines growth has concrete symbol The Kansas City Star Archived from the original on September 13 2022 Retrieved September 12 2022 via Chicago Tribune a b Burcum Jill July 31 1989 Office tower remains star of D M construction show Newspapers com The Des Moines Register p 6S Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved January 15 2023 a b c d e f 801 Grand Iowa Architectural Foundation Archived from the original on September 13 2022 Retrieved September 13 2022 a b c d 801 Grand Emporis Archived from the original on May 14 2015 a b Challender Mary October 14 1990 Here are the workers who built D M s grandest building Newspapers com The Des Moines Register p 4P Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved January 15 2023 Contact Building Management or Security 801 Grand Building 801 Grand Archived from the original on September 29 2022 Retrieved September 13 2022 Norvell Kim November 16 2020 How the landmark Financial Center changed downtown Des Moines forever National Register status may be next The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved December 5 2022 D Holt Nancy September 1 1999 Growing Midwestern Skyline Gets Boost From New Tower at First National Center Wall Street Journal ISSN 0099 9660 Archived from the original on September 4 2022 Retrieved September 3 2022 Jorgensen Susan February 2003 Omaha s First National Bank Tower Using Structural Lightweight Concrete to Build a Landmark PDF ESCSI Archived PDF from the original on September 4 2022 Retrieved September 13 2022 Magel Todd November 25 2014 Have you noticed a change in the Des Moines skyline KCCI Archived from the original on September 13 2022 Retrieved September 13 2022 Green becomes tall order for 801 Here s why It takes sulfur to turn cap green The Des Moines Register July 23 2005 p 1D 5D Retrieved January 15 2023 via Newspapers com Acevedo C May 28 2014 Love meat tender 801 Chophouse review The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved December 5 2022 Carlson Brian Taylor March 4 2019 The hottest places in the Des Moines metro where you can eat steak The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved December 5 2022 Stapleton Susan June 2022 Here are 12 of the best steakhouses in the Des Moines metro area for prime rib steak de Burgo and more The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved December 5 2022 Martin Jonathan January 15 2016 Another Reason to Caucus Iowa The Restaurants The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Archived from the original on December 5 2022 Retrieved December 5 2022 Norvell Kim October 9 2019 Developers plan condos priced at up to 1 6M at historic Grand Avenue church The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved December 5 2022 Norvell Kim Des Moines based Fidelity amp Guaranty Life plans to expand downtown corporate headquarters The Des Moines Register Archived from the original on January 15 2023 Retrieved January 15 2023 External links EditOfficial websitePreceded byRuan Center Tallest Building in Iowa1991 present Succeeded byNone Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 801 Grand amp oldid 1137718178, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
