Responding to the westward expansion of downtown Des Moines at the dawn of Prohibition Era, the Hotel Fort Des Moines served as the city’s westernmost and state’s largest hotel upon opening in 1919. Totaling 241,000 square feet over 11 stories, the hotel has undergone a $50-million-dollar renovation using state and federal historic tax credits. New canopies denote both main building entrances. The street level facades have been reopened to provide light and views into the public spaces.
In 1962, the historic two-story lobby was infilled to provide additional meeting space on the second floor. The openings that once overlooked the lobby have been reconstructed to their original proportions. New wood balustrade railings, inspired by the original, were placed to meet current code. Installed as close as possible to its original location, a new, modern coffered ceiling takes cues from the historic, ornate plaster ceiling.
The second level Grand Ballroom has been completely renovated including new flooring in the same species and configuration as it was historically. A new ceiling was constructed similarly to the original curved plaster ceiling. Painted wooden trim was added to match the original ballroom character and new custom light fixtures are suspended from the ceiling.
On the second floor, new custom carpet in a similar pattern as the historic flooring highlights the historic wood wrapped columns. New arched framed openings reengage the second floor with the two-story lobby space below. Historic plaster ceilings, molding and rosettes are highlighted with new light fixtures to compliment the pre-function space.
