104-year-old Des Moines landmark to become city’s newest hotel

DES MOINES, Iowa — A 104-year-old downtown landmark office building will soon be the city’s newest hotel.

The Midland building, located on 6th Avenue and Mulberry Street next to the Polk County Courthouse, will receive a $37.7 million transformation.

The Chicago- based Aparium Hotel Group plans to convert the office building into a four-star, 138-room boutique hotel with a new restaurant, 200-person ballroom and an outdoor courtyard.

The Des Moines City Council is voting on development agreements Monday night.

“Everything will be a higher end, boutique nature and we don't have a lot of that in Des Moines,” Des Moines assistant city manager Matt Anderson said.

The Midland project is set to be complete in 2019.

A few blocks away, the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel is nearing the end of its 3.5-year renovations. The $20 million project will give new life to the 99-year-old hotel.

“Everything inside has been touched,” said Matt Kiernan, of the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel. “It's just a very exciting time for the hotel -- all new events space, new lighting, carpet, chairs, beds and the list goes on and on.”

The Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel will have a limited opening in November. Meanwhile, the Hotel Fort Des Moines prepares for its $37 million rebuild.

Developer Raj Patel said work on the 100-year-old landmark, which has been closed for more than two years, is on hold while his company, Hawkeye Hotels, waits for state and federal tax credit approval.

Patel said the company has not announced which national brand the Fort Des Moines would be affiliated with, but the Hilton brand is one company that might fit the bill.

Source:  KCCI.com