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Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
Des Moines, Iowa, United States · Curio Collection · Core Luxury
When the Hotel Fort Des Moines opened in 1919, its roughly 1.5 million dollar price tag made it Iowa's most expensive hotel project and the largest in the state, and it was the first hotel west of the Mississippi with a private bathroom in every room. Proudfoot, Bird and Rawson designed the eleven-story Renaissance-commercial landmark, which hosted Helen Keller, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Elvis Presley, and a dozen U.S. presidents before closing in 2015 and reopening in October 2021 after a 50 to 60 million dollar restoration as a Curio Collection property.
- 290 rooms
- Opened 1919
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Rooms from 250 sq ft (23 m²)
- Architect: Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson
- Interiors: Sawyer & Company
About Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Listed on the National Register in 1982. A car lift was a 1919 first in North America.
- Marble in the 2021 redo came from the same quarry as the 1918 build. Address 1000 Walnut Street.
History
The Hotel Fort Des Moines opened in 1919 at 1000 Walnut Street, about $1.5 million, then Iowa's most expensive hotel and the largest in the state. Proudfoot, Bird and Rawson designed the eleven-story Renaissance-commercial tower, first west of the Mississippi with a private bath in every room. National Register in 1982. Guests included Helen Keller, Lindbergh, Earhart, Elvis, Khrushchev, and a dozen U.S. presidents drawn by the caucuses. It closed in November 2015 and reopened 21 October 2021 after a $50 to $60 million restoration as Curio Collection, 290 rooms.
The setting
At 1000 Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines, in Iowa's 1919 caucus hotel. Western Gateway Park is a walk.
Restaurants and bars
- Proudfoot & Bird — Restaurant · American
Amenities
- Fitness center
Awards
- AAA Four Diamond (2026)
Open Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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