$322,415Average Value$247Average Price per Sq Ft48Homes For Sale
A blend of charm and sophistication
Downtown Des Moines combines small-town charm with big-city convenience in a way only an Iowan neighborhood can. A trace of the city’s origins stands just west of the Des Moines River, in the form of a small Midland Traditional-style cabin with a weathered shingle roof. This marks the site where Fort Des Moines No. 2 sprang up in the mid-1840s. Today, it overlooks the bustling city center from between the river and Principal Park, home of Des Moines’s minor-league baseball team. The area has grown from a military outpost in the 1800s to a vibrant district known for its arts and food scene, as well as its outdoor recreation options. But for those who live here, Downtown Des Moines is as much about the small joys of everyday life as it is about catching Broadway shows at the Des Moines Civic Center or bar hopping through the Historic Court District. “Residents enjoy getting out for evening walks with their dogs along the Riverwalk, and on Saturday mornings you can pick up locally grown food at the Farmers’ Market,” says eXp Realty Iowa’s Corah Webber, a Realtor with going on five years of local experience.
Downtown Des Moines living
“Homes in the area are typically condos or multi-level townhouses in a wide range of price points from $150,000 to $700,000,” Webber says. Most townhomes downtown are Contemporary-style new builds with clean lines, high-contrast exterior color palettes and modern interiors. Condos here can range from industrial chic lofts with exposed brick in fully renovated 1920s-era office buildings, to sunny interiors within 1980s skyrises, to sleek units in multi-building, master-planned condo communities.
There are tons of new construction townhomes and condos in Downtown Des Moines.
The inventory of downtown Des Moines apartments is extensive.
1/2
Indoor and outdoor recreation galore
There are parks aplenty in Downtown Des Moines, including Rotary Riverwalk Park, an accessible playground on the banks of the Des Moines River. The biggest public skatepark in the country, Lauridsen Skatepark, is just a few blocks north. Locals can stroll across the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge — especially beautiful at night when it’s lit up — to visit the pond and pagoda at the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden. Principal Park, home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, hosts not just baseball games, but concerts and fireworks shows from its spot on the west side of the river. Western Gateway Park, off Grand Avenue farther inland, is an outdoor art museum teeming with sculptures. The Central branch of the Des Moines Public Library is just two blocks east of the Western Gateway’s Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Next door, the Temple for the Performing Arts, a Masonic Temple built in 1913, offers live theatre, office space, eateries and the Des Moines Symphony Academy. Broadway shows often stop at the nearly 3,000-set Des Moines Civic Center, which hosts ballets and concerts, too.
Ancient forests and Juno sculptures in downtown Des Moines.
Rotary Riverwalk Park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
Lauridsen Skate Park, the nation's largest, is Des Moines' newest standout attraction.
Lauridsen Skate Park is a well-liked spot in Downtown Des Moines.
1/4
Retail and restaurants around the corner
Fresh, locally sourced groceries are within easy reach at Gateway Market, off Woodland Avenue on the neighborhood’s west side. On Saturday mornings from May-October, the Downtown Farmers’ Market overtakes Court Avenue from the courthouse to the river, offering everything from seasonal produce to artisan food. When dining out is on the menu, the Historic Court District offers an array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The city’s first sports bar, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, has been a game-day favorite since the 1960s. Down the street, 300 Craft & Rooftop is popular for its industrial chic atmosphere and rooftop bar, with its striking view of the city skyline.
Visit Johnny's Hall of Fame and dine in Downtown Des Moines.
Rooftop bars abound in downtown Des Moines.
1/2
Never a dull moment downtown
There’s always something going on downtown, from the IMT Des Moines Marathon every October to the Des Moines Arts Festival each June. Every summer, there’s City Sounds: painted pianos scattered around the neighborhood, played by pros and amateurs alike. The World Food & Music Festival, which takes place at Western Gateway Park, features international cuisine and cooking demonstrations against a background of live music every August. Locals, employees and visitors all enjoy the food trucks and live music that appear on Wednesdays every week from May to June.
Overview of the downtown Des Moines local farmers' market.
The farmers' market is a popular spot to spend a Saturday morning in Downtown Des Moines.
1/2
Des Moines Public Schools
Many neighborhood students attend Walnut Street School between preschool and fifth grade, Callanan Middle between sixth and eighth and Roosevelt High for ninth through 12th. In 2024, Walnut Street earned a C grade from Niche. Callanan Middle earned a C-minus that same year. Roosevelt’s grand architecture landed it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, but the school is more than its pretty façade. It earned a B-minus from Niche for academics in early 2024 and an A-plus for diversity; students, teachers and staff collectively speak more than 30 languages.
Convenient city center commuting
In true urban style, with retail, restaurants and employers all close at hand, it’s easy to walk or bike around Downtown Des Moines. The city showcases its Midwestern practicality with a 4-mile web of covered, temperature-controlled skywalks that make walking an option year-round, regardless of weather. Stops along the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus line are also close by, positioned at regular intervals. DART Central Station, the system’s primary transfer hub, is on Cherry Street, within a mile of most homes.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines sell after 103 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $316,500, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your pet-friendly community downtown escape. This spacious one-bedroom, two-bath condo spans an impressive 1,270sqft and resides in the vibrant heart of Downtown Des Moines. Immerse yourself in a neighborhood brimming with premier dining establishments, captivating live music venues or taking the Skywalk on a sunny day.Step into this remarkable abode to discover expansive ceilings,
Welcome to the downtown condo you've been waiting for in the beautiful SOCO Building! Nearly 1,200 square feet of stunning, spacious living in the heart of Des Moines, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath dream space will impress you with it's enormous windows, open concept and sublimely convenient living! The kitchen greets you with gorgeous granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a roomy island
**FIRST THREE MONTHS OF HOA DUES PAID BY SELLER** Experience Vibrant Downtown Living! Welcome to this stunning exposed brick condo located in the heart of downtown Des Moines. This beautifully designed loft offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Step inside to discover custom window treatments, sleek stainless steel appliances, and elegant granite countertops that
EXPLORE OUR BRAND NEW WALK-UP APARTMENT HOMES!We are excited to announce that the construction of 18 brand-new walk-up apartment homes is nearing completion, and pre-leasing has commenced! These new homes will begin to be available May 1st, 2025, and offer direct access and today’s top-of-the-line modern finishes.With quick access to popular downtown amenities like Gray’s Lake,
The Meridian is now open and accepting applications. Nestled in the Gray's Landing neighborhood, our meticulously crafted community is tailored to elevate your lifestyle with the ideal canvas for your urban oasis. Experience a synthesis of downtown energy and connection, while enjoying the tranquility of the Gray's Landing landscape. The Meridian presents an expansive array of flexible living
Welcome home to Vue! Our apartments in Des Moines, Iowa allow you to reside in comfort and sophistication while exploring the unique and dynamic culture of downtown Des Moines. Superior amenities, desirable services, and a well-connected address allow you to indulge in all the urban conveniences you want without giving up on the peace and quiet you deserve.Offering a selection of one, two,
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
