T
he office landscape in Des Moines has undergone significant changes since 2020, particularly with the shift to remote work prompting some companies to consolidate their campuses. Local expert Justin Lossner, a broker with JLL, shares his insights on the current state of offices in the metro and three key trends he's watching.

    Vacancy rates have increased across the metro this year, largely due to Wells Fargo's office consolidations, including the sale of its massive home mortgage department at 7001 Westown Parkway. However, the building's new owner, WB Realty Co., is finding success by repurposing the space into smaller units and retail areas.

    In West Des Moines, older office buildings between 22nd and 50th streets are losing appeal as businesses seek newer developments near Jordan Creek and Grand Prairie parkways. While these buildings' dated exteriors may be a turn-off, modernizing their interior spaces has proven successful in attracting tenants. For instance, Lifespace Communities was able to sell its 30,000-square-foot campus at 4201 Corporate Drive after making significant interior improvements.

    The shift to remote work is not a permanent trend, but rather an evolution towards hybrid work arrangements. Lossner notes that interest in office space has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with landlords focusing on renovating existing spaces instead of building new construction to save costs.