EMC Insurance Building, Office skyscraper in downtown Des Moines, United States
The EMC Insurance Building is an office skyscraper on Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, clad in glass and steel. The facade mixes straight lines with curved sections, giving the tower a profile that changes depending on the angle from which you look at it.
The building was completed in 1997, during a period when Des Moines was actively shaping its modern downtown core. It was one of several projects from that era that together defined the skyline the city has today.
The American Institute of Architects Iowa chapter named this building one of the 50 most notable Iowa buildings of the 20th century. That recognition draws architecture enthusiasts who walk through downtown Des Moines looking for examples of late-century design.
The building stands in the heart of downtown Des Moines and is easy to reach on foot from the main public transit stops in the area. Weekdays are the best time to visit if you want to see the surrounding business district at its most active.
The back of the building has a strongly curved profile that is not visible from the front on Walnut Street. Walking around the full block reveals a shape that looks quite different from what you first see when approaching from the main street.
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