Cowles Commons

400 5th Street

Under Construction

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) will be recreating previous public space known as Nollen Plaza into the new Cowles Commons.

Landscape architect: Ken Smith LA of NY & CA

Architect: RDG Planning & Design

Financed by The Gardner and Florence Cowles Foundation as well as other local families and businesses the renovation will cost approximately $11 Million.

The use of “commons” is as it refers to the cultural and natural resources accessible to all members of society.

A red granite surface will be “Des Moines’ Red Carpet” replacing the hard areas of the former space.

Tree planting will replace the grove destroyed by the 2012 straight line winds.

A interactive water feature will be added and the existing public art (Crusoe Umbrella) will remain in place and a new piece will be added by Jim Campbell. As well as the Peace Rock will be incorporated in to seating area.

Crusoe Umbrella” by Claus Oldenberg, the steel sculpture was purchased with private contributions and a matching grant by the National Endowment for the Arts, commissioned in 1979

• Nollen Plaza  -1978 – 2013 – Architects: Charles Herbert & Associates. Nollen Plaza in Des Moines, Iowa, was named and dedicated in 1979 for brothers Henry and Gerard Nollen in recognition of their contribution to the insurance industry in Des Moines.