The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Best Place to Live in Downtown Des Moines

We put together the ultimate guide to finding YOUR best place to live in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). Whether you’re looking to rent or own — ranging from apartments to condos and housing, too, we found lots of options for you to consider!

With amenities to floor plans, pet-friendly properties and nearby local favorite dining and entertainment options, all the details are in the list below:

Gray’s Lake Area

• Gray’s Station – combining everything you love about living in Downtown Des Moines with being accessible to nearby amazing trailways and nature. Gray’s Station offers options to buy or rent, making it a perfect place to call home! They also offer free outdoor live music during the summer months, too.
• Slate & The Edge – located in the Gray’s Landing development, both rental properties are conveniently located to area parks, walking and biking trails, Gray’s Lake and Downtown Des Moines restaurants, entertainment and attractions. The Edge is made up of 90 mixed-income apartment homes, offering one, two and three-bedroom options. Slate is a luxury 55+ community, offering a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Historic Court District

• Confluence on 3rd Apartments – a resort-style apartment complex in Downtown Des Moines, Confluence on 3rd Apartments features luxury living and high-end community amenities. Residents enjoy the complex’s convenient location to Riverwalk pedestrian trails, Court Avenue, Principal Park and the business district.
• Court Avenue & Market Place Lofts – experience modern living, combined with comfort and affordability at Court Avenue and Market Place Lofts. Offering one and two-bedroom apartments, this pet-friendly community provides amazing living spaces in the heart of Downtown.
• Fourth + Court Apartments – tucked within the Historic Court District which is chock-full of entertainment options, Fourth + Court Apartments provides affordable living in proximity to everywhere you want to be. These apartment units offer some of the best amenities in town, including a Hy-Vee grocery store on the first floor of the building.
• Rumely Lofts – originally built as a branch office for the M. Rumely Company, a producer of agriculture machinery, the building is now home to Rumely Lofts. Offering reasonable rent, modern units and a primo location, what more can you ask for in an urban living space?
• Whiteline Lofts – the Whiteline Lofts building has been a fixture of Downtown for nearly 100 years. Formerly a tire factory, the building was transformed into the gorgeous condominium it is today. Featuring 57 units ranging in sizes from 500 to 5,000 square feet, the nine-story building is within walking distance of all of Downtown’s local favorites. 

Historic East Village

• The Lyon Apartments – towering over the East Village neighborhood, The Lyon Apartments include elegant layouts, spacious living and amazing views. Providing all the luxuries and amenities, as well as proximity to everything the city has to offer, this property allows residents to create the life they desire (with great views, too!).
• The Scott – featuring cozy studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, The Scott offers the best of urban living near the vibrant and artful Historic East Village. Conveniently located to some of the best dining, shopping, entertainment, nightlife and more, you’ll be happy to call this premier apartment community home.

Market District

• The District at 6th – become a resident at The District at 6th and experience high-end living in Downtown Des Moines at this prime location. Conveniently located to countless Downtown attractions, such as the shopping in the Historic East Village, Principal Park, entertainment in the Historic Court District and the future MidAmerican Energy Company Two Rivers Park, this is a modern living space you must see for yourself!
• Eagle View Lofts – boasting a variety of modern layouts, Eagle View Lofts is the perfect, spacious living space you’ve been looking for. Offering competitive community amenities and a supreme location, these spacious Downtown Des Moines apartment homes are designed with you in mind.
• Rowat Lofts – located on the former site of the Rowat Cut Stone and Marble Factory, the Rowat Lofts have a special history. Experience luxurious urban living with open-concept apartments and a variety of floor plans and stylish finishes to choose from. Bonus: They also offer furnished apartments to make your move even easier. 

Sherman Hill

• High Street Brickstone – featuring a beautiful brick exterior and elegant architecture, these apartments offer modern, urban living in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Downtown Des Moines. Choose from generously sized one and two-bedroom floor plans and enjoy a variety of amenities, as well as proximity to an array of dining, shopping, entertainment and transportation hubs. Nearby Gateway Market is conveniently located for easy trips for groceries and essentials! Pro Tip: Apartments here don’t pop up often, so snatch them quickly if you see one is available.
• High Street Lofts – enjoy the benefits of living close to Downtown combined with the peaceful, relaxing feel of the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. Located right across the street from Big Grove and Lua Breweries, these apartments are a great fit for those looking for the perfect blend of quiet yet urban living.
• Historic Wellsport Portwell Flats – these “twin” buildings have a unique history combining historical, character-defining elements with modern living amenities. The 1902 buildings located in the Sherman Hill neighborhood were recently renovated, offering two-bedroom apartments featuring generous living, dining and kitchen areas, as well as off-street private parking and secure entry.
• Sherman Hill Homes – as one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Downtown Des Moines, you’ll find a rich history and unique architecture featuring an array of historic homes, notable design aspects and quaint street lighting. Keep an eye out for available home listings for sale in this charming, urban neighborhood!

 

Western Gateway

• 1440 Locust – an ideal living location in Downtown Des Moines, 1440 Locust has spacious one and two-bedroom floor plans and a plethora of unit and community amenities. Designed for comfort and style, you won’t find any other apartments for rent in Des Moines quite like those available at 1440 Locust.
• The Argonne Building – a historic building in Des Moines, The Argonne was originally built in 1919 as a house for workers at the Ford plant across the street. The newly renovated building maintains its unique, vintage charm. The first floor houses a mixture of retail businesses and residential units and the upper floors are all residential.
• Crane Artist Lofts – the perfect home for any local artisan, the Crane Artist Lofts feature many unique amenities, including a pottery room with kiln, music practice room, performance/community display space, computer room, media room and more. Conventional and affordable housing units are offered.
• The Fitch Building – also home to an array of talented artists, The Fitch Building boasts both living and studio spaces for local painters, printmakers, sculptors, photographers, graphic designers and more. The property is also conveniently located to many local businesses, including Exile, The Cave DSM, The Walnut and Horizon Line Coffee.
• Gateway Lofts – offering open floor plans with incredible high ceilings up to 20’ and floor-to-ceiling windows, Gateway Lofts is a beautiful, modern living space in Downtown Des Moines. Minutes from city center nightlife and your favorites shops and restaurants along Ingersoll Avenue, Gateway Lofts is an amazing place to live.

 

Downtown Core

• The Equitable Building – history and luxury combine at The Equitable Building, a vibrant, premier apartment community right in the core of Downtown DSM. Just five blocks from the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park to the west, three blocks to Des Moines’ Downtown Farmers’ Market to the east and less than one mile to Principal Park to the south, there is so much to explore within walking distance. It’s also located near many of the major employers Downtown, too!
• The Fleming Building – located at Sixth and Walnut in the center of Downtown, The Fleming Building is an 11-story property commonly referred to as Iowa’s first skyscraper. This residence offers expansive apartment floor plans, gorgeous cityscape views, as well as easy access to grocery stores, fine dining, entertainment and more.
• Wilkins Building – noteworthy as the only structure left of the May 2014 Younkers Department store fire, The Wilkins Building offers one and two-bedroom, pet-friendly apartments on Walnut Street. Both income restricted and market-rate units are offered by the property. The Wilkins Building is also home of the iconic Tea Room, the perfect venue for any special occasion. 

The Bridge District

• The Banks – overlooking the Des Moines River, this sought-after residence in The Bridge District is one-of-a-kind. Just steps away from the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge, you’ll find a variety of easily accessible dining, entertainment and recreation options close by.
• LEVEL – live your best life in a pet-friendly one, two, three or four-bedroom apartment at LEVEL. Conventional and income-restricted units are offered making it easy for anyone to experience the luxury and convenience of Downtown urban living. You’ll never run out of things to do nearby with Ernie’s Boondock, Republic on Grand and so many local shops to choose from.
• Velocity – these upscale, contemporary apartments are available in a range of floor plans for studio, one, two and three-bedroom options. Velocity is full of comfortable amenities, including indoor heated parking, 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor pool, the largest dog park in the East Village and a community club room. Find your new home at Velocity in The Bridge District 

Find tips on Downtown Des Moines (DSM) parking and navigation and learn more about living in Downtown’s various neighborhoods. Plus, follow @downtownDSMUSA on Instagram for more epic, things-you-just-can’t-miss happening around Downtown.