Imagine a glass castle, not built to keep people out, but to welcome them in. That's the Krause Gateway Center in Des Moines, and it's much more than just a pretty building. It's a symbol of ambition, community, and a family's dedication to revitalizing a city.
Located just north of the renowned Pappajohn Sculpture Park, this six-story architectural marvel, once the headquarters of Kum & Go, now serves as the heart of the Krause Group. But here's where it gets controversial... While many associate the Krause name solely with the convenience store chain, the Krause Group's portfolio is surprisingly diverse, encompassing real estate, wineries, and even professional soccer clubs. This begs the question: Is the Krause Gateway Center merely a vanity project, or a genuine investment in the community's future?
For 60 years, the family business operated from West Des Moines. However, CEO Kyle J. Krause was increasingly drawn to the burgeoning downtown area. The opening of the 4.4-acre Sculpture Park in 2009 sparked a vision: to extend the artistic spirit of the park through the Krause Gateway Center. According to Erica Turner, director of communications for Krause Group, "Kyle is genuinely committed to Iowa and the community and was close with the Pappajohn family... So I think he really wanted to be down here in this part of town to have his building be an extension of the Sculpture Park and vice versa."
Since the $150 million headquarters opened in 2018, a significant shift has occurred: the Krause Group sold Kum & Go, doubling down on its other ventures. The Krause Gateway Center now stands as a cornerstone of Kyle Krause's vision for downtown Des Moines, including a potential soccer stadium and other community amenities. This transition from convenience store giant to a multifaceted conglomerate raises an interesting point: Is this a natural evolution for a family business, or a risky gamble on emerging markets?
"The stadium district, as well as this extension to Western Gateway, could be the catalyst for excitement, activity and multi-use space where you have an office building that bleeds into the Sculpture Park and tourism, that bleeds into the stadium, with everything in between like housing and dining," Turner explained.
So, what exactly makes the Krause Gateway Center so unique?
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the Krause Gateway Center is truly a one-of-a-kind structure in the Midwest. Its design seamlessly blends functionality with artistic expression. The slanted overhang roofs, for example, mirror the angles of the surrounding streets. And this is the part most people miss... From above, the lower four floors align with the downtown street grid, while the upper floors are oriented to match the Sherman Hill street grid – a subtle yet brilliant detail showcasing Piano's meticulous planning.
Stepping inside the 100-foot-tall center, visitors are immediately struck by the floor-to-ceiling glass exterior. The lobby windows, once the tallest insulated glass panels in the world at 29 feet high, offer breathtaking views. But it's not just about aesthetics; the building's design prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability. Hidden heating systems beneath the raised floors along the window walls prevent condensation, ensuring unobstructed views while maintaining a comfortable climate. Natural light floods nearly every workspace, fostering collaboration and innovation, according to the Krause Gateway Center's website.
The massive roof overhangs and six stories of glass are supported by a staggering 4,000 tons of steel. The building requires approximately 50 pounds of steel per square foot, roughly five times the amount needed for a typical office building, guaranteeing its structural integrity.
Nate Easter, the director of commercial development for Krause Group, highlights an often-overlooked detail: the meticulous alignment of every visible line in the building's infrastructure, from tiling to pillars. This level of precision is rare in modern construction.
Beyond the impressive architecture, what awaits inside?
On the sixth floor, a 20,000-square-foot garden of native prairie grass sways in the wind. Nestled within this garden is a rooftop conference room, offering panoramic views of the Des Moines skyline. Another signature element of a Renzo Piano design is the 100-foot-tall white sailing mast atop the building. "You may have never seen this before, and now you will never not see it," Turner playfully remarked about the mast, which can sway up to eight feet in strong winds.
The public can enjoy Allora, an Italian-inspired café on the first floor, serving dishes made with farm-fresh ingredients and offering catering services. Adjacent to the café are rentable office and conference spaces, providing a tranquil environment shielded from the lobby's activity. Further inside, Krause Group associates can access a gym, a game room, and a lunchroom stocked with snacks and wine from the Krause family's Italian winery, Vietti.
Throughout the Krause Gateway Center, strategically placed compost bins encourage minimal waste, reflecting Sharon Krause's commitment to sustainability and her extensive work with the Metro Waste Authority. "If you look around, there are almost no trash cans," Turner noted. "Because they want to force us to be thoughtful about disposing of anything."
A meeting room on the second floor, overlooking the Allora cafe and Sculpture Park, is also available for rent. Interestingly, a portion of the third floor remains unfinished, reserved for future expansion. Tours of this area are offered to architecture students, providing valuable insights into the building's unique construction.
The Krause Gateway Center also boasts a private art collection, giving it a museum-like ambiance.
The walls are adorned with pieces from the Krauses' private collection, along with the Krause Family Art Gallery (not open to the public). The Krauses host two annual gallery exhibitions, rotating the artwork on display. Up to 20 pieces may be showcased at any given time, depending on their size.
"It's a pretty modular space, keeping with the design for the rest of the building, so you can focus on the objects as opposed to the structures of the space," explained Ashley Elston, art manager for Krause Group.
Associates don't have to visit the art museum to appreciate the Krauses' collection. Artwork is strategically placed on each floor, and leaders within the Krause Group can even select a piece for their office. In exchange, associates enjoy access to the building's stunning window views. Ultimately, the Krause Gateway Center itself is a work of art, and its vast array of amenities make it a truly exceptional workplace. Easter emphasized the Krause family's commitment to creating a vibrant downtown environment: "Having a place to live, work and play downtown is very important to the family."
So, is the Krause Gateway Center a shining example of corporate responsibility and community investment, or a lavish display of wealth? Perhaps it's a bit of both. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
