East Village News

[dogbo]

Drove down Locust in the East Village today towards the Capital. Constructin workers were ripping down the former "false fronts" from the two buildings that used to house US Bank.

I almost felt like stopping my truck and cheering them on. Sorry my digital camara isn't working. Maybe someone else can capture this monumental event?

[DMRyan]

I can get a picture up sometime tomorrow or Tuesday.

Here's what's behind the rehab of this building. Another design firm with a headquarters in downtown, and potentially a Tapas restaurant/bar on the ground floor.

From the DSM Business Record:

Durrant will move to East Village

The venerable Scandia Building at 510 E. Locust St. is being remodeled to serve as the Des Moines office of The Durrant Group Inc., a Dubuque-based architectural and engineering company.

Durrant’s two local offices will combine and occupy the second floor of the Scandia Building beginning next January. The move will bring together the company’s architectural staff, currently at 303 Locust St., and the Pulley Durrant engineering team, now located at 1105 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines.

Durrant acquired Pulley & Associates Inc -- founded in 1951 by Frank Pulley -- in 2001 and added an architectural office shortly after that. Pulley & Associates was renamed a year ago, and last week the name was shortened to Durrant. The parent company has 13 locations and more than 300 employees nationwide.

The former Pulley Durrant office provides engineering services to other Durrant locations and is currently working on projects in 12 states, China and South Korea. Those projects include the Lotte II Tower in Busan, South Korea, which will be the tallest building in the world when it tops out at 107 stories in 2009.

Durrant’s combined office in the East Village will house 30 employees, a 30 percent increase from the two existing offices’ staffing at the start of 2005.

The renovation plan calls for adding windows and replacing the building facade with materials that suit the evolving character of the area.

Ladco Development Inc. has gutted the building and is removing the materials from several facades that were installed over the years. Ladco is negotiating with a possible restaurant tenant for the ground-floor space.

MPI Corp. owns the building, having purchased it in 1990.

[DMRyan]

Here's a photo of the ugly 1960's facade coming down from the building. Also, there's a rendering up in the window of the building. I took a photo of it, but it didn't come out the best. Anyway, you might be able to tell from the rendering that this will include a mix of brick and modern looking glass portions. This should really light up this end of East Locust if they leave the lights on at night in the glass-enclosed portion.

The only negative thing is that the small surface parking lot/former drive-thru bank window will remain to provide parking to this development. I know we were hoping this would someday be an infill project, but maybe not until the city puts up a parking garage in East Village.

[Ingersoll1978]

An amazing transformation from what was there before:



I personally liked the style of the bank...but wow...this is a huge improvement, especially to the building next to the bank (I've always hated that ugly 80's fascade).

[mistertwister]

This is a remarkable renovation and will definitely add some character to the East village, but the renovation that intrigued me the most was the small building next to the Continental. The lower level has the vinyl record store. It looks like they removed a false front to reveal a glass front on the second floor. It looks AWESOME, and really reminds me of walking down some of the NY neighborhoods, looking up and see all these businesses above street level. It would be great if a resturant and maybe a nice little nightclub could open up up there.

[dogbo]

This definitely goes under the heading of gossip/rumor, but found this comment from the DSM Music Coalition's forums interesting if in fact there's any truth to it:

on a side note, I was told that Blues on Grand is moving East to the Village next to Olypic Flame...

The space they must be referring to is the old Aamco (sp?) Transmission spot. This hasn't been vacant long and I've often wondered who might gobble up this value space.

Personally I hope either this move happens or Blues finally does some work to the exterior of their current location. Legendary or not, their current spot needs some major TLC. Mistertwister, you must get tired off looking at that poop brown building each day from work.

[DMRyan]

What better location for Blues on Grand than East Village, and they wouldn't even have to change their name.

As Gateway West matures, it'll become an increasingly sterile place for a blues club. I suppose the same could be said for Lucky's and what ever the name is of the porn shop on the north side of Grand as well. With the exception of the Jefferson apartments, I wouldn't expect any of the current north of grand buildings to be standing in Gateway West within the next 10 or so years. That's prime land for some 6 or 7 story residential with street level retail developments.

[NOG]

Wow, very cool rumor dogbo. I hope it turns out to more than a rumor. The East Village is really starting to become a place where you can park the car and bar hop from place to place.

[mistertwister]

Dogbo-You are absolutely correct in your assumption that I tire of looking at the poop brown building that the Blues on Grand occupies, as well as the gravel lot across from the transmission shop, and the transmission shop, and the little white building tucked in between the Blues on Grand and the apartment building on the corner, and the post office, and the former Ostrem Imports...and on and on......well at least we finally got rid of the Meadow Gold building.

I wouldn't be suprised to see the Blues on Grand move. The spot they are in isn't really a good venue for live music. No parking. Hard for musicians to load/unload thier equipment, no real stage or acoustics. It would definitely be a loss for that end of town.

Doesn't it seem funny to any of you that in the beginning of the Gateway projects, the East side was complaining about the lack of money and attention and now it seems it is the West side that is lacking money and attention. I'm sure that will change in a few years, but I don't believe the West Gateway will be as lively as the East half.

[Ingersoll1978]

The East Village is definately leading right now. And all they got was a streetscape makeover! LOL If Blues on Grand moved...wow...what a diverse mix of businesses in the area.

I would expect to see condo development to the north of the Gateway Park. With that will come more activity. The plans of the park look great in my opinion, especially with places to play frisbee and other things.

[dmluvr]

Yeah---that is straight up sexual chocloate if they move!!!

Dogbo--buddy!! good to see someone on here other than me that checks out the dmmcs forums. They've got some good things on there!!

and there is this guy on there--boombot---he is such a bright and beautiful person. good guy.


quick p.s.
Is the village square going to have first floor retail.
And mister--the name of the vynl store is ZZZ records. Great place!!

NO question that east village and the 10th street district......
as I like to call it: District 10
are the happening places.
no question that east village has stolen alot of the thunder with gateway west, but I'm telling you what gang---the minute those buildings in the west go down and the park and stuff is in motion, your going to see a big change in vibe in that area. I think luckey's is in a good spot, and actually--if BOG could rehab their building, they'd be a good spot as well.

[Ingersoll1978]

I love the name you came up with luvr--- District 10. That's hot!

I'll talk to you all later...I gotta catch a plane to Minneapolis.

[mistertwister]

this is just a rumour as I've been unable to substantiate it as originating from a source that would know, but the BOG building will be coming down. No idea what, if any, plans are for the spot. But this rumour dovetails nicely with the BOG moving.

[DMRyan]

Here I go again with that whole old building/preservation rant.

This building has some potential, and would fit in well with the historic Jefferson Apartments next door. There's plenty of surface lots and crap to tear down north of Grand. I don't consider this one of them, although it wouldn't surprise me to see it get the wrecking ball. If it gets knocked down, it had better be something bigger and better to replace it.

[audiored]

The "East Village" area is the most exciting to me. To me that has always been the area of downtown that offered the best prospects for an urban village and increased residential densities. It is such a great location between the CBD and the Capitol building. And of course the Iowa capitol building is such a wonderful landmark. One of the nicest state houses in the country.

It is so unfortunately that so many buildings in that area have been lost over the years.

Also, that ugly a** parking lot in front of the capitol. That has to go. Anyone know any plans for that area?

How about putting the parking underground maybe. With an entrance at the top of Locust. And create a landscaped capitol mini mall or square infront of the capitol. Could than do away with "East Village" name. Which I don't care for. Call it Capitol Square or Capitol Mall or Capitol Village (which I think was suggested elsewhere on this forum).

[DMRyan]

The new parking garage near the statehouse on Grand Avenue was built to provide parking, so that the lot to the west of the capitol could be made into a landscaped plaza. That's actually exactly what's in the long range plans for the capitol ground, but has probably been hard to justify over the past few years with major budget cutbacks.

[GRAMOS]

I just read a few comments about this new shop, it sounds truly exciting, as ingersol1978 knows i love to shop so having another new place to shop at would be great when I come home to make visits. It is things like this that really make me wonder if I should move back home, then again I dont really care for snow!

[Ingersoll1978]

I hear the East Village could use a cutting edge salon!!!

[dmluvr]

then again I dont really care for snow!

This is true Gramos, thankfully, dm is starting to really liv'n up in the winter. Typically dm is---ok , i feel myself goin on a long rant that doesn't apply to this thread-----ha ha ha ha ha ha

ok ok ok---well anyways, I hope BOG makes it to the Village. and I'd agree ryan--that building could be saved. it has potential that's for sure. Unless a hot a** row of mid to high rises were to be built along the gateway park

I love the name you came up with luvr--- District 10. That's hot!

Thanks buddy---It's been suggested that I email that to the partnership and see what can be done, like the court ave district sign, give the 10th street corridor some actual reconition and a name...espically as that area develops--ok-sorry!! wrong thread!!!

[Young DSM Social Club]

One of the vacant spaces next to Eden now has a "Drama Workshop" sign in the window -- so they must also be making the move. That will be a nice addition to have over there ...

[dogbo]

That's cool! Drama Workshop fits nicely into the EV.

[dogbo]

Young DSM writes:

One of the vacant spaces next to Eden now has a "Drama Workshop" sign in the window -- so they must also be making the move. That will be a nice addition to have over there ...

I hope that is permanent but now I'm wondering if it only temporary until the space is sold or leased. I drove by today and I see the Drama Workshop sign in the window but they haven't removed the real estate "For Sale" sign yet. It think this might just be temporary. Beside, I think several of us were hoping this would be the new home for Blues on Grand.
.

[DMRyan]

A developer is looking to renovate this rather bland building on East 5th in East Village into a mix of retail and housing. It's only at the feasibility study, so details are few at this time.

Here's a piece from the DSM Council Agenda:

The Developer is proposing to renovate the vacant and dilapidated building for a mixed-use project with possible basement and first floor retail/commercial and 2nd floor residential or commercial.

[dogbo]

That would be nice. There's absoluting nothing interesting about this building in it's current state.

BTW, does anyone know what's going in the last remaining retail space in the building that houses the Capital Lofts (space just south of Projects )? They've really done some nice work to it, but so far no signs present.

[dogbo]

Remember a couple months ago when the Register did the big story on the Royal Mile guys buying the Locust Tap? This must have fallen through as I've now read a couple times that Kirk Blunk (sp?) now owns it (there was a small blurb in last week's Business Record). Be interesting to see what an architect does to this place (I think he pretty much now owns the entire block...less Soho).

[DMRyan]

Didn't that same article elude to Blunck leaving the East Locust Tap just as it is, except for adding a drink or two, and a piece of artwork on the walls?

[dogbo]

I don't recall Blunck being mentioned at all, but I do remember the Royal Mile guys saying that the place wouldn't change. Obviously, it will because the Business Record story mentioned how Blunck has discovered the original tin ceiling. Hopefully that means some much needed updates will be taking place soon.

[conquistador2]

The Royal Mile owners backed out because the total cost of the project was too prohibitive. There are a lot of problems with the interior of the building, mostly due to neglect over the past few decades.

By the way, despite what the Register may have reported last week, Kirk Blunck does not come close to owning the entire block on which the Locust Tap is located. By my calculations, Kirk owns 2 of the 11 buildings there.

Finally, to answer the question about the empty space just south of Projects Furniture: there will be another architect moving in to that space this fall. Yes, this is another case of prime ground-floor retail space being used as an office.

[dmluvr]

yeah--that sucks--it's great though to see those kind of business moving into east village---but we need to have retail and funky shops on first floor, make 2nd floor office and third floors and above residential....jesus--when is the city/building owner's going to get this right??

[DMRyan]

There's still plenty of space to develop, and plenty of lots to build on in East Village, even if they all don't front Locust Street. Sure, an architecture firm isn't as nice of a 1st floor tenant as an new shop/restuarant/bar, but it's nice to have a district with plenty of design firms and creative workers locating in it. There needs to be some kind of daytime employement base to help out the shops and restaurants in the area. This would make at least the 3rd or 4th design firm that has committed to locating in East Village this year.