A project to convert Two Ruan Center from a 14-story office hub to an apartment complex is regaining momentum after a two-year wait for a permit, and another commercial-to-residential conversion project has joined the growing number either planned or underway in downtown Des Moines.
The city has given the go-ahead for the Two Ruan project at 601 Locust St. and City Council on Monday, Feb. 23, approved the final terms of a development agreement with JDS Real Estate for the other project: the conversion of the three-story Davidson Warehouse building at 108 Third St.
Is the Two Ruan conversion project still on?
Construction on the Two Ruan project initially was slated to begin in late 2024, with units becoming available in 2025 and 2026. Scott Wells, an associate partner at GastingerWalker& Architecture, said contractors for the project are sorting out a revised timeline.
Once a start date is set, Wells said, the work could take 18 to 20 months to complete…