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Iowa City Downtown Photo Page Downtown Iowa City is the eclectic and vibrant center of activity for the region. Downtown is intertwined with the University of Iowa Campus to create a walkable destination with shopping, culture, nightlife, dining and many other amenities. Iowa City is one of only a handful of cities in the U.S. that has successfully implemented the idea of a downtown pedestrian mall, with many businesses thriving due to the proximity of 28,000 college students commonly frequenting downtown. The city is currently seeing its tallest high rise under construction at this time, in the 14 story Plaza Towers (pictured below). This gallery showcases the buildings, streetscapes and architecture found throughout downtown Iowa City. Click the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image. Use your browser's Back button to return to this page. |
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View Down Clinton Street-
Clinton Street (pictured here) forms the boundary between the University of
Iowa campus and downtown Iowa City. Some of the businesses located along
Clinton Street are visible in this view to the south. |
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Clinton Street Intersection-
Another view of Clinton Street at the intersection of
Burlington Street. April 2004 |
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Businesses on Clinton Street-
Looking north towards downtown Iowa City along Clinton
Street, south of the University of Iowa campus. April 2004 |
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Starbucks –
The southern portion of
Clinton Street in downtown Iowa City includes the Whiteway 2000 building
(home to Mondo’s in this picture) along with the Breadgarden Bakery and Iowa
City’s first stand-alone Starbucks. |
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Downtown Businesses-
Lorenz Boot Shop and Active Endeavors are two of the many
businesses located in downtown Iowa City near the Pedestrian Mall. April 2004 |
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Pedestrian Mall Entrance-
Downtown Iowa City at the
intersection of Clinton Street with the Ped Mall (College Street) as the sun
fades on an April evening. April 2004 |
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Downtown Ped Mall-
The Pedestrian Mall occupies three blocks in downtown Iowa City and acts as
a community plaza and gathering place. Numerous businesses, restaurants,
and bars line the plaza. This view is looking to the south along Dubuque
Street. September 2003 |
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Downtown Ped Mall-
A view of the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City along College Street,
showcasing some of the public art on display in this community plaza. September 2003 |
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Downtown Ped Mall- A
view of the many businesses operating on the College Street portion of the
Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City. April 2004 |
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Downtown Ped Mall-
A view of the many businesses
operating on the College Street portion of the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa
City. |
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Downtown Ped Mall at Night-
A nighttime view of the College Street portion of the Ped
Mall in downtown Iowa City. September 2004 |
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Martini's Bar-
Martini’s, one of the many bars located on the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa
City, occupies one of the oldest buildings in downtown Iowa City. |
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Tobacco Bowl- Buzz,
Tobacco Bowl, and the Jefferson Building are some of the stores and buildings that line
the Dubuque Street portion of the Ped Mall in downtown. |
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New Downtown Library-
The New Iowa City Public Library stands alongside the Ped
Mall and City Plaza Playground in downtown Iowa City in this July, 2004
photo. July 2004 |
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Plaza Towers Construction-
The new Plaza Towers under construction will be a
mixed use hotel, apartment and condominium project that is currently under
construction in the heart of downtown Iowa City. The base will
incorporate retail, including a downtown grocery store and will be Iowa
City's new tallest highrise when complete. January 2005 |
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Upper Downtown View- An
entrance to the Ped Mall in the foreground with the Plaza Towers under
construction in the background. September 2004 |
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Looking Down Dubuque Street-
A view of the streets of downtown Iowa City towards the Ped
Mall. This photo is looking south along Dubuque Street with the Jefferson
Building visible on the right and the Sheraton Hotel looming in the
background. August 2003 |
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Biology Bridge-
Looking towards the
north along Dubuque Street as the sun fades, traffic is framed by the
Biology Bridge, a skywalk designed by Siah Armajani that connects two
Biology buildings on the University of Iowa campus. |
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Biology Bridge at Night-
A night view of the Biology Bridge, designed by Siah Armajani,
and downtown Iowa City. September 2004 |
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Java House-
Looking towards the west on Washington
Street on a spring evening, the Java House coffee shop is in the
background.
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Englert Theater-
The Englert Theater and other businesses along a section of Washington
Street in downtown Iowa City. The Englert Theater – the last of the old
movie houses in downtown Iowa City – is nearing the completion of a
renovation project that will turn this former Vaudeville Theater into a
performing arts center.
April 2004 |
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Englert Theater at Night- A night
view of the Englert Theater on Washington Street. The neon sign was
recently re-lit to reflect its former glory. November 2004 |
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Washington Street-
Looking towards the west along Washington Street in downtown Iowa City. September 2003 |
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Washington Street-
Washington Street in
downtown Iowa City with many of the businesses that are catering to both
students and non-students alike. September 2003 |
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Takanami Steakhouse-
Several businesses and
newer residential buildings line Iowa Avenue, next to the University of Iowa
campus including the Takanami Japanese Steakhouse. |
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View Down Iowa Avenue- This view shows a couple of modern additions to downtown Iowa City, with the Old Capitol standing tall in the background. September 2003 |
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Linn Avenue- A view
of the intersection of Iowa Avenue and Linn Streets in downtown Iowa City.
The modern, glass Vogel House apartment complex stands in stark contrast to
the older buildings (including an old mortuary) next door to this new
mid-rise. September 2003 |
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Linn and Washington Streets-
Looking north from the intersection of Linn and Washington
Streets in downtown Iowa City. August 2003 |
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Tower Place at Night-
The Tower Place parking ramp and
businesses at the corner of Iowa Ave. and Linn St. in downtown Iowa City.
A pretty good
looking building for a parking garage too. September 2004 |
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Iowa City Senior Center-
The Senior Center occupies the former US
Post Office, with Ecumenical Towers assisted living rising the background in
downtown Iowa City.
April 2004 |
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Masonic Temple-
The corner of Linn
St. and College St. in downtown Iowa City includes a law office, with the
Masonic Temple in the background. August 2004 |
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Old Carnegie Library-
The Old Carnegie Public
Library in downtown Iowa City, Iowa occupies a prominent spot along Linn
Street. The current library moved across the street from this structure in
1981. April 2004 |
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Iowa City Press-Citizen HQ-
The former home of the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper,
bringing you ‘the world. April 2004 |
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Gabe's Oasis-
A relatively ‘quiet’
stretch of Washington Street in the eastern portion of downtown Iowa City.
At the center of this picture is Gabe’s Oasis, the longtime center of Iowa
City’s independent music scene where live music can be heard seven days a
week.
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Quiet View Down Gilbert Street-
A view of Gilbert Street along the eastern edge of downtown
Iowa City on a Spring evening. In the background is the Tower Place
Parking Structure. April 2004 |
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Firestone- A view
of Burlington St., including student apartments and a Firestone tire store,
along the southern edge of downtown Iowa City. April 2004 |
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South Downtown-
Another view of Iowa City from just south of downtown. September 2004 |
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New Pioneer Co-Op-
The New Pioneer Co-Op is an independent grocer on the east side of downtown
Iowa City and provides the community with a source of organic and locally
grown foods. October 2003 |
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Downtown Overview-
The Iowa City Public Library renovation and expansion are clearly visible in
this overview of downtown Iowa City. The parking lot in the foreground is
the last parcel for urban renewal in downtown Iowa City and is where the new
Plaza Towers is being constructed. |
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Downtown Library Construction-
Looking up Linn Street towards the north on a stormy
afternoon, a portion of downtown Iowa City is framed by the University of
Iowa campus in the background. In the foreground, the new Iowa City Public
Library is being constructed in this August, 2003 photo. August 2003 |
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Downtown Eastside-
A bird’s eye view of the eastern portion of downtown Iowa City after a
summer storm. In the foreground is the Carnegie Library, replaced in 1972
by the construction of a new library across the street. August 2003 |
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The South Edge of Downtown-
A bird’s eye view of the southern edge of downtown Iowa City
along Burlington Street after a summer storm. August 2003 |
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Downtown Construction- Looking
past the Johnson County Courthouse into downtown, construction cranes are up
for the Plaza Towers, Iowa City's new tallest high rise. September 2004 |
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Whiteway Building-
An overview of the southern portion of downtown Iowa City with the Whiteway
2000 building and the Sheraton Hotel dominating the southern view. You
might see the Ecumenical Towers assisted living facility peeking out from
behind the Sheraton. August 2003 |
Downtown-Southside
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Johnson County Courthouse-
The Johnson County Courthouse stands guard over the southern
portion of Iowa City on a stormy, May, 2004 afternoon. This view is looking
towards the courthouse from the north. May 2004 |
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Johnson County Courthouse-
Standing on a bluff above the Iowa River and just south of
downtown Iowa City, the Johnson County Courthouse cuts a striking pose. April 2004 |
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Johnson County Courthouse- The
Johnson County Courthouse basks in the last rays of summer sunshine. September 2004 |
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Gilbert Street Looking South-
Looking south along Gilbert Street from the intersection with
Burlington St., we see a number of businesses that populate the area south
of downtown. |
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Seoul Garden- The
Seoul Garden restaurant south of downtown Iowa City is framed by some of the
higher density residential buildings found near downtown. September 2004 |
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St. Patrick's Catholic Church-
St Patrick’s Catholic Church is one of
several Catholic Churches found in Iowa City. This church is located just
south of downtown in Iowa City. |
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Rock Island Depot-
While the old Rock Island Depot no longer sees regularly scheduled passenger
rail service, you can still imagine it in it’s heyday with regular passenger
trains and bustling crowds. The Depot still occupies a prominent place in
the area south of downtown Iowa City. September 2004 |
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Rock Island Depot-
Another view of the Rock Island Depot on
Wright Street, south of downtown Iowa City. August 2004 |
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Old Hotel- One
of the older buildings next to the former Rock Island Railroad tracks (now
the Iowa Interstate Railroad) in the area south of downtown Iowa City. September 2004 |
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Iowa City Mosque-
Houses, old schools and
the Iowa City Mosque are a part of the area immediately south of downtown
Iowa City. September 2004 |
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Iowa City Railroad-
Iowa City is home to the Iowa Interstate Railroad, a small
but very successful railroad company that took over the former Rock Island
line from Chicago, Illinois to Omaha, Nebraska. Pictured here are the small
rail yards located in southern Iowa City. The Johnson County Courthouse
looms over the landscape in the background while buildings on the western
part of the University of Iowa campus dot the horizon. October 2003 |
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Iowa Interstate Railroad Bridge-
Some boxcars along the CRANDIC (Cedar Rapids and Iowa City)
Line and the Iowa Interstate Railroad Bridge across the Iowa River in the
southern portion of Iowa City.
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Miscellaneous Iowa City
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Iowa City Skyline from Afar-
The Iowa City skyline as seen from hills to the southwest of
Iowa City. April 2004 |
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The Lodge Apartments-
The Lodge Apartments are a new student apartment complex
built in southwest Iowa City. September 2004 |