The Equitable Building Apartments

I have no complaints about management. Maintenance is hit or miss. I told them about my front door handle being loose and all they did was try to tighten it. When that didn't work he said he would have to order one and that was back in March. The building itself is outdated and loud. I can hear everything. The storm windows do little to stop the weather from coming inside. They charge you for everything and I mean everything. You get charged for internet and satellite even if you don't use them.... Remember here you pay for everything. I rarely use the internet because it's too slow, I have watched in total maybe an hour of satellite after that it stopped working and that was in March. It's amazing they think someone on a limited income is comfortable living here when my rent takes 57.2 of my income and I am on SSDI. I am honestly considering breaking my lease because I have a place already lined up that costs a lot less and I won't have to pay for unnecessary necessities I don't want or use. If you can afford to live here then I would encourage it but if you can't I wouldn't encourage it. Read More

There are some great qualities about this building the rent is not one and while it can be a reasonable amount compared to the other buildings around the downtown area. The major problem is not rent itself it's that they charge you for everything. That means whether you want the internet or not you got it, you don't want satellite well you got it anyway, and that's just the tip of the iceberg considering you are paying for electricity, heat, air conditioning, water, sewage, and trash. I haven't... watched satellite since I have been here because it doesn't work. Internet is faster on my phone. I got caught up in how nice the apartment is and literally fell head over heels in love with a place that now feels like a prison for the next year. If I could break the lease I honestly would because this place is over priced and out of touch with reality. 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!