801 Grand
Encyclopedia
801 Grand, also known as The Principal Building, is a skyscraper located in Des Moines, Iowa
. It is named after its street address, being located along Grand Avenue in the downtown area of the city between 8th & 9th Street (with High Street the northern border). Completed in 1991 and standing at 630 ft (192 m) it is currently the tallest building in the state of Iowa. The roof is made out of copper sheeting that was designed to form a green coating of verdigris
over time, much like the Statue of Liberty
. However, unlike New York City
, the air salt content in Des Moines was so low that the desired oxidation process failed. The result was the copper turned a dark brown. Discussions on possible removal of the top layer of copper that would allow crews to purposely cause the oxidation process to create verdigris resulted in the decision to leave the roof as is in its current state.
The building consists mainly of office space which is largely occupied by its owner, Principal Financial Group
. The lower three floors contain retail and restaurant space, including the 801 Steak & Chop House, and provide a connection to Des Moines' skywalk system.
The building is also well known for being the venue of the "801 Grand Power Climb", an annual fundraising event for the American Lung Association of Iowa where sponsored competitors race to the top of the building using the stairwell.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. It is named after its street address, being located along Grand Avenue in the downtown area of the city between 8th & 9th Street (with High Street the northern border). Completed in 1991 and standing at 630 ft (192 m) it is currently the tallest building in the state of Iowa. The roof is made out of copper sheeting that was designed to form a green coating of verdigris
Verdigris
Verdigris is the common name for a green pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper plates or the natural patina formed when copper, brass or bronze is weathered and exposed to air or seawater over a period of time. It is usually a basic copper carbonate, but near the sea...
over time, much like the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
. However, unlike New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the air salt content in Des Moines was so low that the desired oxidation process failed. The result was the copper turned a dark brown. Discussions on possible removal of the top layer of copper that would allow crews to purposely cause the oxidation process to create verdigris resulted in the decision to leave the roof as is in its current state.
The building consists mainly of office space which is largely occupied by its owner, Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group
Principal Financial Group is a publicly traded corporation based in Des Moines, Iowa, USA.The Principal Financial Group is a global financial services provider which offers a wide range of financial products and services, and is a U.S. leader in 401 plans. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, the...
. The lower three floors contain retail and restaurant space, including the 801 Steak & Chop House, and provide a connection to Des Moines' skywalk system.
The building is also well known for being the venue of the "801 Grand Power Climb", an annual fundraising event for the American Lung Association of Iowa where sponsored competitors race to the top of the building using the stairwell.
See also
- Des Moines, Iowa
- List of tallest buildings in Iowa
- List of tallest buildings by U.S. state