4024 Grand Ave

I’ve lived in the Wetherell since 2015 and I love it here.

The building has a ton of character. Each of the 22 units have a different layout, and the ones on the 1st through 5th floors have a TON of natural light. The apartments have a lot of charming features - terrazzo floors, roll-up window shades, wrought-iron light fixtures and window frames, cool radiator covers. My apartment even has a legit icebox built into the enamel kitchen cabinetry (there is also a modern fridge, of course)!

In... addition to historical features like an old-timey elevator and radiator heat, the building also has modern amenities like energy-efficient AC wall units that can double as supplemental heaters or dehumidifiers, and new laundromat-style washers and dryers in the basement.

The building is clean and extremely well maintained. Michael, the owner, has a few buildings in town, but this is clearly his “baby” - I see him at least 2-3x a week doing maintenance and upkeep. He is very responsive to problems without being intrusive, and excellent at communicating things in advance (stuff like elevator repairs, city inspections, reminders about changes to parking rules during snowstorms or the marathon).

My neighbors are all quiet, friendly, and considerate. They range in age from med students to older retirees, and everyone is invested in keeping the building a safe & enjoyable place to live. Nobody has ever parked in my bay or kept me up with loud music/fights, and I’ve never had a package disappear. People bake holiday cookies for each other & hold the door for each other. Several of my neighbors have lived in this building for 10+ years… I cannot see myself living anywhere else in Des Moines. Read More