Substance Architecture was represented at the 2026 Commercial Real Estate Forum, hosted by the Business Record at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown. The annual event brought together leaders from across the industry to discuss evolving conditions in office, housing, lending, and emerging technologies shaping the built environment.
Todd Garner, principal at Substance Architecture, joined a panel of regional experts to provide insight into the current trajectory of downtown Des Moines and the broader real estate market.
The discussion explored the evolving challenges facing both the office and multifamily real estate sectors, with panelists noting that tenant expectations, borrowing costs, and market conditions continue to reshape development strategies. Class A office environments with strong amenities and flexible workplace features are outperforming, while older properties face mounting pressure to remain competitive. In the housing market, workforce and entry-level housing remain critical needs across the metro, and although some developments may slow due to financing and absorption concerns, long-term demand for a variety of housing options remains strong.
Panelists also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in real estate planning and operations, noting that increased efficiency may reduce physical space needs for some organizations while changing how projects are delivered and managed. Rising interest rates and tighter lending conditions were identified as significant challenges, but speakers suggested the changing financial environment could also create opportunities for asset repositioning and increased transaction activity in the coming years.
From Substance Architecture’s perspective, the outlook for downtown Des Moines remains notably strong. As Garner stated during the discussion:
“I think the market is incredibly optimistic, even given all the indications that it’s not. We’re seeing a lot more activity. This is a town of big ideas. Few people generate those ideas but then get behind them and create what is exciting downtown. Now we have the Market District coming on board and seeing activity there. It’s those small businesses that are going to create activity during the day to keep those restaurants and smaller businesses open and at night we have enough living activity now in downtown. Downtown is vibrant. It’s a really exciting time and five years from now I think we’ll be really impressed with what’s going on.”
Many of our clients are rethinking their office environments to better support collaboration, flexibility, and hybrid work. Unveiled at the event, the Business Record’s Annual Real Estate Magazine features Two Rivers Marketing’s new East Village office designed by Substance Architecture, which transformed two vacant floors into a more efficient and people-focused workplace. The project reduced the company’s footprint by more than half while introducing open collaboration zones, flexible gathering spaces, and a design that celebrates the building’s historic timber and brick character. The article emphasized how thoughtful workplace design can strengthen company culture and encourage employees to return to the office.
Substance Architecture values the opportunity to listen, learn, and contribute to conversations like this as part of its ongoing work. Forums such as this provide useful perspective on how broader economic, technological, and social factors are influencing the built environment, helping inform a more thoughtful and responsive approach to design.
