Ruan Center

Ruan Center is a 460-foot office tower in Des Moines featuring a steel and glass construction that exemplifies International Style design. The building spans 36 floors of office space with connections to the city's downtown skywalk network.

The building was completed in 1975 and stood as Iowa's tallest structure for 16 years before being surpassed in 1991. Its construction represented a significant moment in Des Moines' downtown modernization and expansion.

The Des Moines Club on the upper floors serves as a private gathering place for the city's business leaders and professionals. It functions as a hub where local executives and decision-makers conduct meetings and socialize.

The building is easily accessible via Des Moines' downtown skywalk system for convenient navigation. With 13 elevators serving the 36 floors, moving through the building is straightforward.

The exterior uses a special steel that naturally develops a distinctive rust-colored coating over time. This material weathers beautifully and gives the building its evolving appearance.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1975

Architectural style: International Style

Floors above the ground: 36

Elevators: 13

GPS coordinates: 41.58700,-93.62600

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:46