Luxury, Designer Downtown Des Moines Apartment Listed at $849,000
A rare opportunity for admirers of upscale city living is for sale inside the historic Liberty Building, one of 16 condominiums hidden within the nearly century-old downtown structure.
Located at 418 6th St., right at the intersection with Grand Ave., the 2,085-square-foot ninth-floor apartment is listed at $849,000.
Completely renovated since its purchase in 2012, apartment 905 features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms and an outdoor balcony built on the west side of the building.
The Liberty Building’s condo conversion was completed in 2006, overhauling floors 9 through 11.
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Fathom Realty’s Stefanie Running Anderson represents salespeople Kevin Schnell and Josh Garrett and describes the spacious apartment as “a fusion of modern and mid-century design.”
Years of interior space upgrades have created “little touches that catch the eye,” she said, including flecks of amber mixed into the terrazzo flooring.
Natural light is provided by an abundance of large windows on three sides of the apartment, and the interior shares a single wall with its neighbour.
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The streamlined kitchen was designed in partnership with East Village’s Projects Contemporary Furniture and added a built-in espresso machine, quartz countertops, and cabinetry crafted without external handles to create a smooth finish.
While entertaining guests, the open-plan dining area sits under a chandelier imported from Canadian design firm Bocci.
The master bath features heated tile flooring, a walk-in shower, and a freestanding tub. Running Anderson said, “These are things you don’t find in most other units. This is a very unique property.
Select furniture, like the floor-to-ceiling bookcase credenza, will be included with a full-price offer on the space.
Outside the front door of the condo are two walk-in type storage units, one of which is installed with a window. “Some people use them for an office or a kid’s room,” she said.
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Owners can access the building’s cinema room equipped with a mini-kitchen and theater-style seating, as well as a bicycle storage area with a private exit to the street.
Residents of the Liberty Building have access to the gym and pool at the nearby Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown hotel and receive a discount if they choose to book a room for friends or family.
Access to the Skywalk is located on the second floor, and tenant-only parking has been assigned to the garage across 6th Street. But Running Anderson says, “It’s so conveniently located that you can walk to Wells Fargo and you can walk to the Farmers’ Market. You really don’t need a car. There are so few places here in Des Moines that you don’t have.”
Limiting the number of residential tenants has also resulted in “a much closer community. They all know each other,” she said.
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Other than replacing the original windows, the exterior has changed little since the Liberty Building opened in 1924 and the property has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2010.
The Historic Record notes that the exterior retains “a powerful impression of strength and stability, exactly the qualities that the insurance company, which originally occupied the building, wished to convey to the public”.
Between 1924 and 1940, Bankers Life Insurance Company, a predecessor of the Principal Financial Group, was the main tenant, eventually occupying a total of six floors. The OMS radio station broadcast from the 11th floor until 1932, an area since emptied and replaced by six apartments.
Running Anderson observed, “It looks a bit rough on the outside of the building. Sounds a bit simple, maybe. But then you walk in and you think, this is beautiful.
“Overall, it’s an idyllic lifestyle,” she said.
The condominium is listed at $849,000. Dial (515) 689-1985 to view this home or similar properties.
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Richard Lane is the real estate reporter for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at rlane@registermedia.com.
