EMC Insurance Cos. will move forward with plans to lease space in the Hub Tower, which will be vacated when the Dickinson law firm moves to 801 Grand as part of its merger with the Bradshaw law firm.

The firms recently announced their plans to merge, effective Jan. 1.

Dickinson will leave about 25,000 square feet it currently leases in the EMC-owned Hub Tower. It will join Bradshaw in about 33,000 square feet of space in 801 Grand.

In a statement to the Business Record, officials with EMC expressed optimism about filling the space at Sixth Avenue and Walnut Street.

“As a landlord, it is always unfortunate to lose a tenant, but we are optimistic for the future of the Hub Tower and Kaleidoscope at the Hub,” the statement read. “Since announcing a significant renovation to the Kaleidoscope in August, we’ve seen increased interest from potential tenants. Work on that project is underway.”

That work includes updating the exterior with a darker, more eye-catching color, officials said.
There will also be larger, more energy-efficient windows to allow more natural light into the building and improved tenant branding with new signs on the exterior of the building.

The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2024, with Ballet Des Moines moving into its new space on the street level of the Kaleidoscope during the first quarter, the statement read.

Ballet Des Moines announced in August it was undertaking a $2.5 million capital campaign as part of its plan to move into about 9,000 square feet on the first floor of the building at 655 Walnut St.

In its statement, EMC officials said the renovations and continued leasing of space is part of its plan as landlord after the company decided in January to take the properties off the market. They said that after being on the market, the decision was made that the timing and market were not right, and they are still actively leasing space in the building.

“EMC remains committed to downtown and believes Hub Tower and the Kaleidoscope are high-quality, well-maintained properties in an attractive location,” the statement read.