U.S. courthouse annex in Des Moines expects restaurants, fitness club, other new tenants

The now-vacant U.S. Courthouse Annex on the banks of the Des Moines River is trading courtrooms for coffee shops.

With the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. Attorney's Office relocating to the new federal courthouse on the other side of the river, the government building will welcome new, commercial tenants. The 109,513-square-foot structure at 210 E. Court Ave., now renamed the Riverview, would house a coffee shop, boutique and upscale restaurants, a creative studio and a gym, all on the first floor.

The plans are an early step in a string of renovations and new uses that are expected to transform the east bank of the Des Moines River downtown.

Douglas Wells, Riverview co-owner and president of architectural firm Wells + Associates, told the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment he's also seen interest from two potential tenants — an accounting firm and law office — for the second floor. And he said he has a letter of intent from a single user for the office space on the third and fourth floors.

Mandelbaum Properties designed the Class A office building in 1994. Wells, along with John Mandelbaum, were listed as the initial members of the building's ownership group in 1992.

Though the downtown office market is "soft," Wells said, the owners expect to bring 450 employees to the East Village location.

"The challenge we have, is we're competing against West Des Moines," he told the board.

Work is underway on the building's conversion. The interior was demolished earlier this year, and, according to city records, a permit application was filed in May for construction of the tenant spaces on the first floor.

Wells did not respond to inquiries about when the work will be completed.

New uses for government buildings could reshape Des Moines' riverfront

As commercial space, the former U.S. Courthouse Annex is poised to join a string of other government buildings on the east bank of the Des Moines River slated for new uses.

The occupants of the former U.S. Courthouse just to the north of the Riverview also will transfer to the new courthouse. And the city long has planned to sell two of its riverfront properties — Des Moines Police Headquarters, which neighbors the Riverview at 25 E. First St., and the Argonne Armory at 602 Robert D. Ray Drive — when staff move to the city's new offices in a former Nationwide Mutual Insurance building at 1200 Locust St. in 2025 .

Des Moines Economic Development Administrator Carrie Kruse previously indicated the city would consider business proposals that allow for community gatherings , like a maker's market, and Des Moines Performing Arts has said it will seek to purchase the armory to house a performing arts school.

The historic City Hall, at 400 Robert D. Ray Drive, also will be available, per a resolution passed by the City Council in May . But unlike the city's other properties, it will be leased, not sold.

“Many cities have what is called Old City Hall as they grow out of facilities, and a lot of times those are turned into museums, performance spaces or art gallery uses that are open to the public six or seven days a week," Deputy City Manager Matt Anderson said in a statement to the Des Moines Register. "That is the reuse and the type of partner we are looking for."

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 or alathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on X at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: U.S. courthouse annex in Des Moines expects restaurants, fitness club, other new tenants