Whiteline Fever. To truck drivers, it’s when they’re mesmerized by the continuous lane markings on the highway. Ryan Staiert was mesmerized by the view from the fifth floor of what will be his new downtown Des Moines living space, Whiteline Lofts. “I took a tour of the building, saw the view, and said ‘this is where I’ve got to live!’,” says the 30-year-old owner of Heirlooms, an upscale Oriental rug emporium in Clive. “There’s an unobstructed view of the courthouse, the river, and the lights at night,
and you can feel the electricity of downtown. There’s an excitement, like going to ballgames and downtown restaurants. There are lots of activities. And, if I need to go to the suburbs, it’s just minutes away.”

Whiteline fever has hit quite a few professionals who want the urban life. Even before construction began last year on the
former Des Moines Tire Building at Southwest Fifth and Martin Luther King Parkway, half of the 60 loft-style condo units, which range from $139,000 to $1.65 million, had been sold. The building officially is scheduled to be open for occupancy beginning
in October.

The lofts, just across the street from the Science Center, feature 700 to 8,000 square feet of living space, large private terraces or balconies, and pre-installed high-tech wiring. Several loft-style projects are taking shape around downtown Des Moines, but the $22 million dollar Whiteline project distinguishes itself with its views, appearance, location, and amenities.

“All of the projects have their own character,” Whiteline managing partner Tanner Kinzler agrees. “However, our location is removed enough from the skyline, affording panoramic views of the capitol, Principal Park and Riverwalk, and the greenbelt, which you simply wouldn’t get from any other building.” The steel-and-glass tower rising out of the 91-year-old warehouse can’t be mistaken for other downtown brick-and-stone-faced buildings.

Residents can walk to work, their favorite restaurants, Principal Park, Court Avenue, the trendy shops of the burgeoning East Village, and everything else downtown Des Moines has to offer. Amenities include a state of the art fitness center, guest suite, radiant in-floor heat, rooftop viewing, underground and on-site parking, and concierge services. “It’s the most luxurious living you can get in downtown Des Moines,” Kinzler says matter-of-factly.

Tanner Kinzler became hooked on loft living a few years ago, having taken a place in the Brown Camp Lofts, one of south downtown’s first warehouse/condo projects. A neighbor was Jeff Schachtner, an airline pilot. The two struck up a friendship and decided to rehab the Des Moines Tire building three blocks away. Kinzler Companies eagerly agreed to partner in the venture. Also joining the team were David Walters, of Walters Companies in West Des Moines, and Ryan Companies, a national development and design-build firm with an office in Clive. Financing was secured through Banker’s Trust Co.

The partners perceived that downtown housing was the “next big thing” in Des Moines. New attractions such as the Science Center, Wells Fargo Arena, and the library were drawing more people to the area. Restaurants were opening in rehabbed buildings, and the Principal Riverwalk would add recreation.

There were financial incentives, as well. City and state leaders had enacted tax breaks for developers and buyers. Whiteline Lofts LLLP is eligible for up to $896,000 in investment tax credits, as well as $178,947 in sales tax refunds from the State of Iowa Enterprise Zone Program. And, owners receive 100% property tax abatements for 10 years. “The tax abatement greatly increases buying power and allows buyers to purchase more condo for their money,” Kinzler points out.

In addition, the development of the MLK Parkway corridor and the area’s infrastructure is accelerating south
downtown’s transformation from industrial to residential. “It’s become a thriving area in just three or four years,” says Kinzler, whose company is exploring other developments, including retail. It’s a case of “If you build it, they will come,” and the first wave of the new urban pioneers is flooding into Whiteline Lofts.

Kinzler Companies:
There’s a little bit of the Kinzler Companies all over Central Iowa. Point to most any residential, commercial, or agricultural structure, and there’s a good chance that at least part of its infrastructure has been supplied or serviced by the construction-supply giant, headquartered in Ames, Iowa. Whether it’s building supplies, (including insulation, drywall, or concrete), or services such as blown-in insulation, waterproofing, or spray-applied fireproofing, the Kinzler Companies have become the most relied-upon construction supplier in the state.

“And not just here,” says Kevin Kinzler, who founded and co-owns the companies with his wife, Yvonne. “At any time, we have jobs in a 200-mile radius around us. There’s really no competitor who does this kind of work on so massive and wide a scale.”
The 22-year-old company, which boasts 100 employees, has become the most sought after supplier for a simple reason: They deliver.

“In the fourth quarter of a year ago, following the hurricanes, materials were at a premium, since so much was needed to rebuild the Gulf Coast,” Kinzler says. “But every company that we deal, with got what they needed,” which Kinzler attributes to his excellent support staff.

Developers have learned to appreciate being able to rely on one supplier of a multitude of goods and services instead of several.“The quality and the cooperation of the individuals who work with Kinzler Construction is outstanding,” says Larry Barry, whose firm, Pacesetter Company, Inc., of Des Moines, has engaged Kinzler on projects in Central Iowa for the last two and a half years. “In construction, there’s always something unforeseen, always a problem. But instead of just sending you a bill for the problem, they work with you to help solve the problem. I can’t say enough about the help they’ve given me.”

Last January, the Kinzler’s two major companies (Kinzler Construction Services and Ames Construction Supply) merged, promising to make it even easier for Kinzler customers.“Our customers won’t notice anything different about us,” says Kinzler who started in construction as a drywall installer and moved into other aspects of the industry. “But, we’ll be able to better track orders and jobs, and schedule more efficiently. That means we’ll be able to cut down on lag time and do a better job of getting the materials to where they’re needed.”

That will include the company’s own development, Buck Hill Estates a 400-acre rural residential development in Boone County. The company is also a partner in Whiteline Lofts, a $22 million dollar housing project in downtown Des Moines.

“Becoming a developer has allowed us to engage in deeper relationships with our customers and better serve our builders and developers by experiencing both sides of the business. It has enabled us to walk a mile in our customer’s shoes. And, the more you become involved in the industry, the more you want to leave your mark on it.” And, Kinzler Companies has done this through relationships with builders and developers all over central Iowa.

KINZLER AT-A-GLANCE
Headquarters: Ames, IA
Ownership: Private
Employees: 100
Products/Services: insulation, drywall, gypsum
concrete, waterproofing,
fireproofing, closet systems,
central vacuums
Contact: 888.292.2382