The Equitable Building

If you take a tour here come with an open mind because the building is over a 100 years old and it does have its problems but if you live to be 100 you will probably have problems too. Yes the floors are cracked and that's because the building settles over time but they are the original floors so take the time to appreciate that a lot of people have walked these floors.
The original revolving doors are still here and they work I know every time I use them I wonder who else came through them. Yes… , the package room was broken into and that's because of a water leak which took time to fix because once again it's an old building.
The windows are original to the building and on the inside they have storm windows. The individual floors have a hallway accent table. The trash room isn't really a room it's just a chute which I can tell you is nice because I came from the Des Moines Building which has an actual room. The recycling is on the first floor along the wall by the package room.
Christina the Assistant Manager is on top of things and makes sure the building and its residents are doing well. Maintenance is quick to respond to a maintenance request. Jordan was great about making sure my key fob worked and hadn't expired. Maintenance here is not lazy by any means unlike some places I have lived.
If you are a social person unlike me the building does hold social events usually here in the building or on the roof when weather permits.
The units themselves have a washer and dryer in the unit. Along with a full tub and shower. You have control over your AC/Heat and it actually works unlike the Des Moines Building. You have granite countertops and dark wood cabinets. Tub sinks which helps keep the water in when you use the sprayer which pulls out from the faucet. The refrigerator is on wheels which makes it easier if you need to clean behind it or underneath it. The bedroom is a good size big enough to fit a queen if I remember right. The living room is big. The countertop has an overhang that you can use counter stools for. The accent wall is a nice gray and you don't see that much in other apartments.
The building is connected to the skywalk which makes it a great convenience if you work downtown along the skywalk especially during winter when it's really cold and the summer when it gets too hot.
So if you want some where nice to live in Downtown Des Moines I would suggest you take a look at The Equitable Building and see what it has to offer you. Read More

Once the pinnacle of luxury in downtown Des Moines, the current management is now running this beloved community into the ground. Months of no air conditioning in the units, resigning gifts left unfulfilled, and management’s gaslighting of residents On building repairs have left this property a shell of its former self.

AC is consistently down with apartments reaching 80 degrees for days straight. From the ownership's explanations it sounds like they cheeped out on maintenance/replacements for too long and now they are having trouble keeping up with needed fixes to make the building less dangerous to survive in. Hot water keeps going down which makes showering before work torture. If you are visiting the building, make sure to take a lap around the block so that you are able to see the homeless camps that have… moved to surround the building. They add new members to their flock daily. This makes walking home at night from the inconvenient parking structures dangerous, especially when you have to step over people on your walk. The skywalk near the building is consistently filled with human droppings. The air at times smells like an unflushed toilet. This is likely due to the nearly abandoned buildings surrounding the Equitable. The staff is extremely nice and try their best to help but ownership and the city of Des Moines have failed and the building is becoming unlivable. I am now safely moved away and you should stay away. Read More

I recently moved to Des Moines from across the country. All of my possessions had been seriously delayed and I had nothing. The building management lent me numerous items until my belongings are delivered. I am honestly not sure what I would have done without them. They have gone above and beyond. I am so grateful to have found The Equitable Building. The apartments are large and comfortable. The building is beautiful!