NEW YORK—Mandelbaum Properties has partnered with 21c Museum Hotels to bring the boutique hotel and contemporary art museum to downtown Des Moines as part of its mixed-use project, The Fifth, slated for completion in 2021.
The Fifth is a 40-story tower located at the corner of 5th and Walnut in downtown Des Moines’ office and entertainment districts. In addition to 21c Museum Hotel, the tower will offer 208 luxury apartments. The mixed-use project also includes a commercial building on Court Avenue with an all-recliner, eight-screen, dine-in movie theater and two floors of creative office space, in addition to a public parking garage with 690 stalls.
“We are thrilled to have 21c as our hotel and restaurant operator at The Fifth,” Justin Mandelbaum, principal at Mandelbaum Properties, says. “We visited all seven of their properties, and found the 21c experience to be unlike anything else in the hotel industry. We’re certain that the 21c Museum Hotel Des Moines will make a lasting impression on travelers and local residents alike.”
21c Museum Hotel will bring a new kind of cultural and travel experience to Des Moines, combining contemporary art and hospitality. A destination that welcomes both locals and travelers from around the world, 21c’s design program includes a contemporary art museum with 7,000 square feet of gallery space and cultural programming, open 24 hours, 7 days a week, free of charge to the public. The museum will have rotating exhibitions curated primarily from the 21c collection which includes painting, sculpture, photography, film, performance, video, and digital art. The collection features works by both emerging and established artists from all over the world, reflecting the global nature of contemporary culture. The property will also have large-scale and often interactive permanent installations in unexpected locations, surrounding visitors with art and ideas.
“We are inspired by the visibly strong commitment that the city of Des Moines has demonstrated in support of its rich and diverse arts and design communities,” Craig Greenberg, president and CEO of 21c Museum Hotels, says. “Our hope is that 21c’s presence will be embraced by visitors and residents, allowing us to be counted among “must see” attractions like the Des Moines Art Center, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and most recently, the Mandelbaum’s development of Mainframe Studios. We look forward to working with the Mandelbaums, as well as other community leaders, with the intention of encouraging and contributing to Des Moines’ exciting cultural landscape.”
The boutique hotel has about 131 rooms, a 2,500 square feet “21c Suite” on the 40th floor of the tower, and amenities that incorporate a 12th-floor terrace with access to bar and lounge areas, a dog run, a full-service spa, fitness area with a dedicated yoga studio, and 5,000 square feet of art-filled meeting and event spaces. A chef-driven restaurant is also planned to complement the 21c dining portfolio.
New York-based architecture and interior design firm Deborah Berke Partners is leading the interior design team with assistance from Chicago-based Solomon Cordwell Buenz, who is also serving as the architect of record for the project.
Top photo: The luxury loft suite at the 21c Museum Hotel in Oklahoma City
