River Bend, a tiny enclave of houses and apartments a short drive north of downtown, leans into a curve along the Des Moines River. Mercy Medical Center, as well as the urban campus of Des Moines Area Community College, are located just south of the neighborhood’s southern limit at University Avenue, along the neighboring river. The River Bend area of Des Moines, Iowa, is one of the city’s oldest communities. In this neighborhood, you’ll discover a varied mix of families living in some of the city’s oldest residences. The majority of the homes in River Bend were built in the 1870s. River Bend continues to draw new residents because of its closeness to downtown, its diversity, and its historic residences. River Bend started off as one of the numerous Des Moines commuter communities. The region was initially created as a town called North Des Moines in the 1880s. The city acquired the area in 1890 due to its favorable position and accessibility through the West Ninth Streetcar. Des Moines adopted a zoning rule that allowed for multi-family buildings in 1926. Across the city, intense development of apartment residences and conversions of single-family homes to multiple-unit structures began. Many communities, including River Bend, had their feel and density changed as a result of these modifications. As a result of the neighborhood’s long history, River Bend is still noted for its range of distinctive architecture and variety of residences. On larger lots, there are a mix of single-family Victorian homes and craftsman, foursquare, and colonial revival forms; on smaller lots, there are craftsman, foursquare, and colonial revival styles. Many of the residences in the area were created by local architects and feature a range of architectural embellishments. River Bend is well-known for having been designated as a local and national historic district. While some compare River Bend to Sherman Hill, another adjacent urban area, there are a few key features that distinguish River Bend. Neighborhood variety and existing neighborhood land values distinguish River Bend from other historic communities in the broader Des Moines region. River Bend features convenient access to downtown Des Moines, including the Civic Center, Convention Center, Veteran’s Auditorium, Library, YWCA, YMCA, Iowa Cubs Baseball, shopping, fitness clubs, Court Avenue, nightclubs, and more. River Bend has wonderful neighbors and a strong sense of community. It is conveniently located near hospitals, restaurants, shopping, the Botanical Center, and festivals along the river in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. It’s a fantastic location to live. Every year, the Neighborhood Association hosts a tour of the district’s residences.

Click here to see an overview of roofing services we offer by Des Moines, Iowa.

Previous Article  || Next Article