Wells Fargo Financial has identified a new — and still undisclosed — buyer for its downtown Des Moines campus, with the sale expected to finalize in July, according to a city document.
Why it matters: The company owns a substantial portion of downtown's real estate. The sale could be crucial in shaping the city's future development and workforce footprint.
Catch up quick: After eliminating hundreds of positions, Wells Fargo announced in early 2023 that it would move most of its downtown employees to West Des Moines — consolidating operations and leaving much of its once-bustling downtown presence vacant.
The decision left nearly 900,000 square feet of office space largely vacant, making city leaders concerned about downtown's vibrancy.
A buyer was under contract in 2024 to purchase the five-building campus, but the deal fell through.
https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/06/09/wells-fargo-des-moines-downtown-campus-sale