Residences at Two Ruan transforms a 14-story historic office building in downtown Des Moines into 221 market-rate apartments, extending the life of an established downtown landmark through adaptive reuse. Resident amenities and leasing offices are integrated throughout the building, while penthouse and rooftop spaces take advantage of expansive views of the city. Existing retail and restaurant spaces at the ground level are preserved, maintaining the building’s connection to the surrounding downtown environment.
Balancing contemporary residential needs with the building’s historic character, the design preserves the exterior and significant interior finishes while thoughtfully integrating new residences within the existing structure. Public retail spaces and elevated second-floor walkways remain part of the building’s complex program, requiring careful coordination between residential and public uses. The result preserves the character of the original building while introducing a new use that supports its continued role in downtown Des Moines.
