Principal celebrates re-opening of corporate headquarters at 711 High in Des Moines

On June 20, Principal marked a significant milestone in a comprehensive five-year $400 million makeover of its downtown Des Moines campus. The international financial advising company celebrated the restoration of the centerpiece of the Principal campus with the grand re-opening of 711 High Street.

The transformation of the art deco building included removing the entire core of the square seven-story structure to create a grand atrium with glass walls and ceiling. The roof was raised to form a clerestory campus common area, and skywalks connecting to other structures were brought to a single level to enhance circulation. The renovation will also feature a new public entrance, conference spaces, a ­ fitness center, wellness room, gallery, outdoor plaza space, client center and marketing hub. Originally constructed in 1938, the building includes ornate details and beautiful historic finishes that our team expertly maintained and protected during construction.

OPN has been working with  Principal since 2013 on the renovation of each building in its downtown corporate campus. The 750 Park renovation was completed in two phases, with one half of the building opening in 2014 and the other half in 2015. Also downtown, renovation of Principal’s leased floors in 801 Grand was completed in early 2017. Work on Principal’s Corporate 2 building is planned to begin in 2018.

The goal was to redesign many of the office spaces at Principal to better accommodate the collaborative work that goes on inside the four walls, giving employees more spaces in which to work together while recognizing that workers continue to need places in which to work independently. The Des Moines Register says the result is full of features you have to see to believe. And the Des Moines Business Record says the revamped Principal headquarters recaptures, adds to building’s original grandeur.

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