The Tea Room
Location
713 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa
Uses
Premier Event Venue
Status
Completed 2017
Project Size
$26M Acquisition and Construction; Appraised at $9M
About This Project
BACKSTORY
The original Younkers Tea Room, located in the Younkers Department Store, hosted a variety of events and occasions since its inception in 1913, to when the last rarebit burger was served and its doors closed in 2005. The Younkers Tea Room was the most extravagant place to hold events in Des Moines with its Victorian décor and elegant atmosphere. It was known for its unmatched hospitality, lavish fashion shows, fundraisers and parties, and its delicious and unique sticky buns. Many recall how being at the Tea Room made them feel welcomed and important as guests.
In Des Moines, The Younkers Tea Room is iconic. After the 2014 fire, many feared that it was forever gone. Although the décor has changed and only some of the original plaster was restored, the molds for the plaster designs were protected in the basement through the fire. When you step into The Tea Room, the ceilings and pillars echo the grandeur of the 1920s with the same ornate and original design.
DESCRIPTION
Since reopening in 2017, The Tea Room has upheld its reputation of making hosts and guests feel welcome. The restored beauty of the space leaves brides and grooms with iconic wedding photos and memories that will last a lifetime. Corporate conferences, luncheons, and events have ample space with a high-end and unique atmosphere. Formal dinners, fundraisers, cocktail parties, and rehearsal dinners will leave your guests feeling welcomed, valued, and important, just as The Tea Room has been doing since it first opened in 1913.
Reservation of the Tea Room provides 5,175 completed square feet, 16-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, Juliet balconies, and a very open and expansive feel. The space is designed with neutral tones to create a simple and minimalist look and feel – ideal for each event to bring its own color and enhance the space.
This mixed-use project includes ground-floor retail and commercial space opening onto the newly renovated Walnut Street. The Wilkins apartments are located the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors consist of one- and two-bedroom apartments.