Element Hotel Des Moines
OPI Architects have designed the Element Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa based off of the model of the Element Hotel in Basalt, Colorado, with Silverwest Hotels. While the two hotels are very similar in layout, the Element Hotel in West Des Moines has been adapted to meet all updates to the Element Standards V2.0 as well as the unique requirements of the Village of Ponderosa Specific Plan. The blend of the site and characteristics of the Village of Ponderosa and the modern active lifestyle promoted by the Element Brand has produced a unique hotel that is sure to be a great addition to the Starwood flag.
The project is located along the edge of the Village of Ponderosa, a diverse community of commercial buildings and varied residential housing types and styles located in the heart of West Des Moines. This community is full of life, plenty of commercial retail and restaurants to energize Market Street which runs through the community as well as multiple lakes and parks for residents and guests to enjoy some leisure time. The community will support the Element brand platforms of smart growth, healthy and active lifestyles, and integration into walkable and diverse communities.
In order to shape the standard Element design into one that fit aesthetically with the Village of Ponderosas vernacular, the typical stucco façade was transformed into one of fiber cement board with a brick wall base, typical of the West Des Moines historic facades. Canopies have also been added to the corners of the building that have high traffic to fall in line with the walkable streets that surround the hotel and community.
As mentioned, the Element Hotel in West Des Moines is modeled after the Element Hotel in Basalt completed in December 2015. The basement from Basalt was deleted and all back of house elements have been placed back on the main level to follow current Element Standards. This resulted in eliminating 3 rooms, making the final room count to be 110. The Element in West Des Moines will only include one commercial space, the use and occupant of which has not yet been determined. The addition of the Bonfire Coffee and the Aspen Ski and Bike shop at the Element Basalt has been positively received and ownership hopes to bring that same success to West Des Moines. Additionally, two smaller meeting rooms were added to the South wing of the hotel to promote use by many of the local businesses in the Village of Ponderosa.