Nestled in Des Moines’ historic South of Grand neighborhood, 3750 on Grand thoughtfully balances historic and contemporary design in one of the city’s most prestigious locations. For 10 years, a stone church constructed in 1931 sat empty and fell into disrepair. The site was reimagined by the design team at Hartman Spiller, who saw immense potential in the structure’s Gothic Revival roofs, limestone facades, grand timber beams and surrounding mature oak trees.
The structure was listed by the State Historic Society as one of Architectural Significance, having been designed by Proudfoot, Rawson, Souers, & Thomas Architects, whose compendium of works designed from 1885 to 1940 represent more the 50 contributions to the National Register of Historic Places. When the Church of Christ Scientist congregation vacated the building in 2010, it was already in significant disrepair. After more than 10 years of vacancy, the steeple and sanctuary had deteriorated beyond repair, but when Hartman Spiller’s clients purchased the property, their paramount goal was to save whatever they could.
Hartman Spiller proposed an adaptive-reuse strategy, restoring the church’s two wings and inner courtyard to create vibrant amenity spaces for residents while incorporating a new modern residential tower. The building’s location provides unparalleled views from all floors, revealing sweeping vistas of downtown Des Moines, forested bluffs along the river and the neighborhood—home to a wide variety of shops and restaurants. The design thoughtfully integrates materials, scale, and context to ensure that the building feels timeless and contemporary, offering residents a unique blend of history, luxury and modern living.
Through careful preservation, the design team was able to integrate significant elements of the church’s original architecture into the building’s new life. The wings of the church were transformed into a library and lounge, a large event room, fitness facility, and two well-appointed guest suites all complete with original stained-glass windows and exposed timber beams. The restored wings not only preserve the historic character of the site, but offer pathways to a new outdoor swimming pool and 2 acres of landscaped gardens with many mature trees original to the site. The church’s rich limestone façade was restored with special attention given to preserving the life of the courtyard with its arched arcades. Six-foot-tall chandeliers salvaged from the sanctuary hall were refinished and installed in the main concourse, ensuring a piece of history would continue to shine within the newly crafted spaces.
The core vision for 3750 on Grand was to provide beautiful living spaces in a neighborhood that offers historic charm and easy access to the amenities of modern urban life. A critical design strategy in crafting 3750 on Grand was ensuring the condominium tower complemented the historic church without competing with it. The limestone-clad tower sits atop a slate-colored podium, which houses sheltered parking spaces. This 24-foot-tall parking structure serves to elevate the residential tower above the tree line, allowing every unit—ranging from 1,200 to 7,000 square feet—to capture breathtaking views. The high-rise is designed with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, echoing the varying window styles of the church, while allowing ample natural light to diffuse into the living spaces. Large balconies extend the use of outdoor areas, inviting residents to enjoy seasonal changes in comfort.
The choice of materials was equally important in establishing harmony between the new and the old. The limestone aggregate used in the tower mirrors the color and texture of the historic church, ensuring that the new structure blends seamlessly into the neighborhood’s aesthetic. More than 50 percent of the limestone from demolition was salvaged and pulverized for use in the building aggregate while 100 percent of all steel was recycled. Adaptive reuse, particularly when employing coordinated efforts to salvage materials, can be one of the most sustainable building strategies, protecting the neighborhood and its environment for years to come.
The developers were committed to maintaining the architectural integrity of the site and chose this location specifically because it allowed the tower to integrate with the existing streetscape. While other developers interested in the site proposed complete demolition, Hartman Spiller and its clients were committed to preserving the site’s existing historic features. Woven into the neighborhood through material and form, 3750 on Grand is situated near existing condominium towers along Grand Avenue. Throughout the design process, Hartman Spiller prioritized creating a condominium tower connected to its surroundings rather than one which stood apart. By restoring and reimagining the church and its grounds, 3750 on Grand honors the architectural legacy of the site while introducing a new chapter to this historic neighborhood.
PHOTOS: Ben Easter Photography and Chris Boeke Photography
Retrofit Team
Owner: 3750 Grand LLC
Architect: Hartman Spiller
General Contractor: Neumann Brothers
Structural Engineer: Raker Rhodes Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Waldinger Corporation
Electrical Designer: Bluestone Engineering
Electrical Installer: Tesdell Electric
