Building Materials

PHOTO CREDIT: Elizabeth Carrie Photography

When challenges occur, the wise often realize opportunities found in their midst. After detecting waterproofing issues, remediation was required for the 801 Grand building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The project brought owners a welcome chance to change the site’s landscape design to better meet the current property’s needs and design intent. A complete overhaul of the 801 Grand’s plaza area created a more inviting space – as well as more of the grand exterior one would expect at such a property.

Granite was selected as the main building material for the paving, stair treads, building column base, wall facing, planter curb, planter bowls and the curb.

The choice of granite helped meet two important goals for material selection. Durability of materials was very important to the owner. Also, the quality of exterior materials needed to be consistent with the caliber of interior materials and Class A office space. Granite met both of these requirements.

Coldspring was able to provide the colors, quality and schedule needed for the project. Colors included Cold Spring Black, Kenoran Sage and Baltic Brown.

Complete in December 2013, the revamped plaza and site feels revitalized and welcoming. The addition of contrasting materials in the landscape provides definition between the building and the plaza. The south entrance on Grand Avenue now has the ‘grand’ feel that it was missing in the original design. The reorganization of the plaza space on the east side of the building creates a more open and inviting space for employees and tenants to enjoy the outdoors.

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