How Des Moines Office Users Are Making Decisions in 2026
Interview with Chris Curran, Vice President, R&R Real Estate Advisors, and Adam Kaduce, President, R&R Real Estate Advisors
Q: The Des Moines office market has evolved significantly since 2020. What trends are you seeing today in tenant demand, lease terms, and the types of spaces gaining the most traction?
Chris Curran: Overall, tenant demand has been stable and consistent. What’s encouraging is that much of the activity is coming from existing Des Moines companies that are expanding, relocating, or upgrading their space. These are businesses making deliberate, long-term decisions.
Lease terms reflect that mindset. Looking at my recent larger office transactions, the shortest lease has been six years, with many in the 10- to 15-year range. That signals confidence in both the market and the value of investing in the right space.
In terms of product type, well-located, multi-story buildings that have been thoughtfully repositioned are performing the best. Tenants are gravitating toward properties that offer modern amenities, strong building identity, and a higher overall experience.
Adam Kaduce: I agree completely. Companies are past the short-term uncertainty that followed COVID and are back to making strategic, long-range business decisions. That almost always includes investing in space that supports culture, collaboration, and employee experience.
Those investments typically require meaningful tenant improvement dollars from both landlords and tenants, which in turn drives longer lease commitments. Tenants are willing to commit when they feel confident the building will support their business for the foreseeable future.
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Q: Many companies are still rethinking how much office space they truly need. From a landlord-representation perspective, what strategies have been most effective in attracting and retaining quality tenants?
Chris Curran: Landlord reinvestment has been critical. There’s no shortage of competition, and tenants have choices. Buildings that are well maintained, visually appealing, and updated consistently outperform those that are not.
Equally important is high-quality property management. Tenants want to feel supported and valued. When companies move, it’s often not just about rent—it’s about service, responsiveness, and trust.
Finally, access to strong resources matters. Efficient space planning, current design trends, and construction expertise all help tenants right-size their footprint and make smarter decisions. Having those capabilities readily available can be a differentiator.
Adam Kaduce: At the end of the day, tenants want to focus on running their business—not managing real estate. They rely on landlords and advisors to bring expertise across design, construction, and operations. When those elements work together seamlessly, it creates confidence and long-term tenant loyalty.
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Q: “Flight to quality” has become a major national theme. How is that playing out locally, and which Des Moines submarkets are seeing the most interest?
Adam Kaduce: Flight to quality is very real in Des Moines. Tenants want spaces that help attract people back to the office, which means amenities matter more than ever. We’re seeing strong demand for enhanced coffee concepts, outdoor collaboration areas, green space, fitness amenities, and flexible meeting environments.
Natural light, art, and thoughtful design all contribute to creating spaces where people actually want to spend time. That experience has become a competitive advantage.
Geographically, the Meredith Drive corridor and the Urban Loop in Urbandale have gained real momentum. With strong accessibility across the metro and growing retail development, it’s becoming a compelling destination for office users.
Chris Curran: I’d add that this trend has been building for several years and continues to strengthen. In addition to Urbandale, we’ve seen solid activity in the East Village and throughout West Des Moines, particularly near Jordan Creek Parkway. Access, amenities, and modern building quality continue to drive demand.
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Q: What are landlords doing differently today when repositioning second-generation office space? Can you share a recent example where upgrades made a measurable difference?
Chris Curran: Reinvestment is the starting point—particularly in common areas and shared amenities. Given construction costs today, it’s critical that upgrades are intentional, efficient, and aligned with tenant expectations.
A great example is the Arcadia building and the recent Holmes Murphy lease. They were looking to expand while remaining close to their existing operations. The building’s culture, amenities, and overall environment aligned well with their values and made it an easy decision. Securing a full-floor commitment there was a win not only for the ownership but for the broader market.
Adam Kaduce: What stood out was Holmes Murphy’s desire for the space to feel equivalent to their headquarters—not secondary. The investment in fitness, coffee, and over four acres of outdoor green space made the building feel like a true extension of their brand.
That level of parity matters. When tenants feel their satellite or expansion space matches the quality of their primary location, it reinforces culture and supports long-term retention.
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Q: How have amenities and building experience shifted in importance for tenants?
Chris Curran: Fundamentals like rent and location still matter, but experience now plays a much larger role. Natural light, higher ceilings, and modern finishes create a space that feels open and inviting.
Collaborative areas—both indoor and outdoor—are increasingly important, along with coffee, food, fitness, and flexible meeting spaces. These elements help drive leasing decisions and differentiate buildings.
Adam Kaduce: We also see strong interest in convenience-driven amenities. Quality coffee and proximity to childcare consistently rise to the top of tenant wish lists. These features directly support employees’ daily lives and make coming into the office easier and more appealing.
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Q: What differentiates Des Moines from peer Midwest markets, and why does it remain attractive for office investment?
Adam Kaduce: Des Moines offers access to a highly educated workforce, particularly in finance, insurance, and professional services. That talent base supports strong wages while maintaining a relatively low cost of living.
The result is a city that punches above its weight—supporting a vibrant restaurant scene, strong arts and culture, and national-caliber amenities without the congestion or costs of larger metros. Short commute times, safety, and excellent schools make it especially attractive for families and employers alike.
Chris Curran: I’d echo that. Des Moines is a “small big city” with steady, stable growth. We’re insulated from the extreme market swings seen in some coastal cities, which makes this a resilient and dependable market for long-term investment.
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Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what will define a successful office landlord in Central Iowa?
Chris Curran: Success will come from maintaining a tenant-focused mindset. The market remains competitive, and tenants still have leverage. Buildings must look their best, property management must be strong, and landlords need to remain flexible and creative in deal structures.
Every tenant and prospect matters. Winning today requires excellence across operations, leasing, and service.
Adam Kaduce: It’s about running on all cylinders—design, execution, relationships, and integrity. Landlords who invest consistently and act as true partners to their tenants will continue to outperform.
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Q: To close on a lighter note—what are your thoughts on Iowa State’s new head football coach, and are there parallels to building a successful office portfolio?
Chris Curran: College athletics has changed dramatically, and leadership matters more than ever. The new coach appears to bring strong experience and character. Like any successful organization, surrounding yourself with the right people, having the right resources, and operating with integrity are essential.
Adam Kaduce: The biggest parallel is building from a position of strength. Iowa State has a solid foundation, and momentum matters—just like in real estate. Strong leadership, culture, and long-term vision are what allow both programs and portfolios to keep moving forward.