Molly Spain has also been working with local artist Jordan Weber on a light installation that will be placed on top of the five-story concrete building that opened in 1983 and originally housed Northwestern Bell Co.’s data center.
Weber, who Siobhan Spain describes as “Iowa’s most recognized contemporary artist,” has had his work exhibited in New York City, Omaha, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago and Des Moines. He’s received several awards and fellowships, including the New York City-based A Blade of Grass Fellowship.
The light installation at Mainframe Studios is being designed around the words “inhale” and “exhale,” Siobhan Spain said. “It’s all about healing and that the breath is healing. … It’s a reminder of maintaining that breath.”
The artwork, which will be installed in the spring, will point north to the Oakridge Neighborhood and to Interstate Highway 235, she said.
While work on the exterior of the building was delayed, progress has been made on interior renovations. Three floors of the building’s five floors were previously renovated. This past year, a fourth floor was completed, Siobhan Spain said. In March, 58 new studios will open with 50 of them already pre-leased. Spain said she expects the remaining eight studios to be leased in the next month.
Once that floor is completely leased, the studio will start breaking even financially, Spain said. When the entire project is finished, the additional revenue will fund an endowment, she said.
Spain said it will cost about $1.5 million to renovate the final floor as well as complete the exterior painting. The figure also includes costs related to replacing elevators and the roof.
“That extra income will help us take care of those large expenses that will need to be done sooner than later,” she said. The renovation of the final floor is expected to be completed in early 2022.
Mainframe Studios this past year has received large donations from philanthropists Nix and Virginia Lauridsen, as well as Fred and Charlotte Hubbell and Fred and Emily Weitz.
“They all have fulfilled their pledges,” Spain said. “The outbreak of COVID changed a lot of things. These people all said, ‘Go ahead with your plans. Our support is still committed.’
I think it sends a positive message to the community.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mainframe Studios to get colorful makeover; large pledge to help complete renovations
Project Update is a Commercial Real Estate Weekly feature in which the status of projects underway in the Greater Des Moines area are updated. Want to include an update about your project or suggest a project to include? Email: kathybolten@bpcdm.com.
