1717 Ingersoll
The City of Des Moines has begun to see increased efforts to incorporate sustainability and green design elements
into the planning, construction, and use of buildings in the community. A project demonstrating strong commitment to
these principles is the adaptive reuse of a former automobile dealership into professional office space and a restaurant.
The project, titled 1717 Ingersoll, is under design and development by Michael Simonson, Simonson & Associates Architects,
and his partners, Ron Daniels and Opomodo, LLC. more ...
1717 Ingersoll consists of an existing building that formerly housed car dealership offices and auto showroom space. The building
will be adapted in a manner that will re-utilize the space and maximize the opportunities to efficiently use water, energy and building
materials during the construction process and the life of the reused space. The anticipated construction schedule is to have the
renovations completed by November 31, 2008.
The proposed project consists of 25,887 square feet of space to be crafted into a 3,932 square foot restaurant and 20,481 square feet
of office space. The tenants will be the professional offices of both Simonsen & Associates Architects and Gilmor & Doyle Engineering.
The restaurant space will be developed to allow for outside seating to engage the pedestrian elements planned for Ingersoll and 17th
Street, as well as opportunities for a rooftop dining area. The project will provide adaptation of the former car lot to provide
parking for the offices and restaurant.
The project will incorporate numerous elements that have earned the building reuse a Silver LEED certified design status. Reduced light
pollution and impact to surrounding properties, landscape irrigation through a rainwater collection system, low flow water features that
will significantly reduce potable water consumption, high energy efficient HVAC, lighting and building components, a retention of over
75% of the existing walls and floors, use of recycled new construction materials and indoor environmental quality enhancements are several
of the green design elements planned.
The owner’s commitment to maximize the existing site translates into the addition of streetscape enhancements in the form of wide sidewalks
and planters along Ingersoll and 17th Street. The intent is to provide for connectivity through the full neighborhood and also allow for a
variety of means by which to commute to work in the renovated spaces.
"One component of sustainability is to utilize as much of the urban fabric as possible. This includes existing infrastructure, such as roads
and utilities, and utilizing existing buildings where possible. We are very much looking forward to our new office space, where the principal
lighting source will be day lighting, and rather than allowing rain water to run into the storm sewers, we will be collecting some of this
water from the existing roof drains for the purposes of flushing toilets and irrigating landscaping. It never made sense to me to use
purified drinking water for either of these functions."
–Michael Simonson, AIA
simonson & associates architects LLC
800 19th Street in the Sherman Hill Historic District
The City of Des Moines has identified the goal to be a leader in setting policies and practicing service delivery innovations
that promote environmental sustainability. The City has actively pursued policies, programs and initiatives to realize this goal. Working with
builders, developers and business owners to achieve reuse of existing buildings in the community furthers this goal.
The Green & Main adaptive building reuse involves a 6,000 square foot structure in the Sherman Hill Historic District. The building was constructed
in 1933, and formerly served the neighborhood as a corner grocery store. The building is proposed for mixed use, with retail on the lower level and
residential on the second floor.
The Green & Main adaptive building reuse will embody numerous elements of sustainability and best management practices. The project is being
introduced as a demonstration site to educate the public as to how to reuse and adapt an existing building into a model of energy efficiency and
low impact storm water management. It will provide a prototype for preservation of existing buildings, and include enhanced air quality, system
efficiencies, material recycling, and ongoing public education.
Additional information:
a) Council Communication - Resolution Approving Preliminary Terms of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization Loan Agreement with Indigo Dawn, LLC, for development of 800 19th Street as a Platinum
LEED adaptive building reuse.
b) Platinum LEED Renovation & Development Project - A Sponsorship Invitation