Still looking for unique Christmas gifts?  Pop downtown DSM for an amazing selection of  stores to choose from.  RAYGUN boasts itself as ‘the greatest store in the universe’.  If this is remotly true, you will be able to complete your shopping there and have your friends and family raving about your finds.  Located in the east village, it has amazing custom screen printed items.  (400 E Locust Suite 12) .  The KITCHEN COLLAGE is a locally owned, kitchen supply and specialty food shop.  Besides Keira Knightley, everyone eats.  Its a perfect store to stuff the stockings and bellies of your favorite people.  (430 E Locust).  If unique without hassle is what you are after this season, come grab a DOWNTOWN DES MOINES gift card.  These are available to be purchased and blown @ over 100 downtown venues, including  THE STADIUM GRILL & BAR—ALL PLAY  (615 3rd Street). 

The Brownstones on Grand (201 Grand Avenue— between 2nd & 3rd Ave) want to enable you in your last minute shopping, by offering up indoor parking for FREE from 10-1 on Saturday (12/19) and 1-4 on Sunday(12/20).  Come to the model home #215 to gain access to one of our double attached garages that our townhomes provide.

Tags: all play, Brownstones on Grand, Christmas, Des Moines, double attached garage, Downtown, DSM, housing, kitchen collage, raygun, shopping, townhomes, unique gifts

This is a reminder that we are having an Agent tour at the Brownstones on Grand this Tuesday the 15th from 11-1. Join us for appetizers and drinks and tour our beautiful homes! Our prices are now starting at $289,900! We have a geothermal tax credit as well as 10 yr tax abatement. An incredible value for Downtown living!

We’re having an agent tour of the Brownstones on Grand on Tuesday, September 15th from 11-1. We’ll be serving appetizers and drinks. Even if you are not an agent and want to check out the Brownstones on Grand, feel free to join us! We look forward to seeing you!

Units 107 and 113 have been reduced down to $289,900 and $299,900, respectively. What a great opportunity to take advantage of the downtown lifestyle, geothermal heating & cooling with geothermal tax credit, and suburban conveniences such as attached garages. For more details, give us a call!

This weekend, the Des Moines Arts Festival returns to downtown’s Western Gateway Park on Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28.  It is the perfect opportunity to check out what Downtown Des Moines has to offer. Last year, this 3 day festival drew more than 200,000 people downtown for what has been crowned by its peers as one of the best festivals in the world!

In addition to featuring 175 talented artists, the festival includes arts activities for children and adults, as well as live entertainment and more than 20 food booths to tempt your tastebuds!

This year, an entertainment highlight is the Friday night performance nationally known entertainers Gavin DeGraw and Collective Soul, in conjunction with the celebration of the Hy-Vee Triathalon.

Click here for more information on the schedule of events for the Des Moines Arts Festival. Admission is free, and I guarantee there is something to delight everyone!

And don’t forget, while you are downtown, to stop by the Brownstones on Grand to see downtown living at its finest.  The Brownstones are open on Saturday from 11 A.M. - 2 P.M and on Sunday from 1 P.M. until 4 P.M. Talk to Kim and Bill about the great incentives that are currently available, and next year you could just walk over to enjoy the Arts Festival, and afterward, sit on your rooftop terrace and soak in some of the live music!

By now you know how much we like to brag about all that there is going on in Des Moines these days.  This Father’s Day weekend is no exception!  Check out some of these great events going on downtown… just steps away from the Brownstones on Grand:

Friday Night, June 19

The Nadas
7:00 P.M.
Simon Estes Riverfront Amphitheater
Price: $15 Adv/$20 Gate

I-Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds
7:05 P.M.
Principal Park
Price: Varies

WWE RAW Live!
7:30 P.M.
Wells Fargo Arena
Price: $61, $41, $31, $21, $16

Saturday, June 20

Downtown Farmers’ Market
7:oo AM - Noon
Historic Court Avenue District
Price: FREE

Science Street Performance
10:00 A.M.
Science Center of Iowa
Price: FREE

Johnny’s Hall of Fame Summer Festivus
3:00 P.M.
Court Ave. in front of Johnny’s
Price: $5

I-Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds
7:05 P.M.
Principal Park
Price: Varies

Live Music - Rocket Transfer
9:oo P.M. - 1:00 A.M.
AJ’s on East Court
Price: FREE

Sunday, June 21

I-Cubs vs. Memphis Redbirds
1:05 P.M.
Principal Park
Price: Varies

Live Bait with Rob’s Neu Snacks
8:00 P.M.
El Bait Shop
Price: FREE

While you’re downtown, stop by and check out the Brownstones on Grand, an exciting option for urban living.  The Brownstones are open for tours from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. every Saturday and from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. every Sunday throughout the summer. Or schedule a private showing by contacting Burnett Realty agents Bill Nittler at 681.4868 or Kim Byers at 250.6475.

It is definitely summer in the city! The opportunities to head downtown and try out something new are seemingly endless.  Here we’ll attempt to highlight a few…

Saturday, June 13th

Downtown Farmer’s Market
7 a.m. - noon
Historic Court Avenue District
Come check out over 200 vendors from 47 Iowa counties displaying a multitude of farm-fresh meat, poultry, dairy, baked goods, cut flowers and crafts.  Come hungry and leave happy!

Theater Day at the Science Center of Iowa
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Bring your kids or grandkids by the Science Center on Saturday as they showcase their theaters with LIVE science on stage all day.

First Annual Downtown Garage Sale
8 a.m. - noon
418 Liberty Condos Parking Garage at 418 6th Avenue
Urbanites need to get rid of their junk too!  In this first-ever garage sale, downtown residents are banning together to provide you with an impressive array of treasures.  Stop by to find your diamond in the rough!

Saturday, June 13th & Sunday, June 14th

Mamma Mia!
Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 212 Walnut Street
Take in one of the final performances of this hilarious show. A spirited tale of love, laughter and friendship that features many of ABBA’s greatest hits. This is one you can see over and over and you’ll keep coming back!

And while you’re downtown, don’t forget to stop by for a free tour of the Brownstones on Grand, open every Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  Or, contact Burnett Realty agents Bill Nittler at 681.4868 or Kim Byers at 250.6475 to schedule a private tour!

We get many questions from prospective buyers on what exactly geothermal heating & cooling is. As I like to say… “It’s a huge moneysaver!” because on average, a geothermal heating and cooling system will save up to 70% when compared to a typical gas system.

Geothermal systems use a loop of high-density polyethylene water pipe placed underground, where almost 50 percent of all solar energy is absorbed and a temperature between 50 and 70 degrees is maintained. Water and an anti-freezing agent are circulated through these underground pipes to absorb and expel heat, depending on the season.

In winter, the system absorbs heat from the earth and converts it to warm air for heating your home.  In summer, the system reverses itself, gathering heat from your home and expelling it into the cooler earth.  Typically, a geothermal heating and cooling system requires half the natural gas or half the coal for electricity that is normally used.

The Brownstones on Grand are built with a geothermal system in place and ready for you to reap the benefits of a lower heating and cooling bill.  For more information on the Brownstones on Grand, please stop by on Saturdays from 11 a.m - 2:00 p.m., Sundays from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., or contact Burnett Realty agents Kim Byers at 250.6475 or Bill Nittler at 681.4868 to schedule a private tour.

Attention ladies!

This weekend is the last chance to grab your girlfriends and head downtown to experience “Girls Only”, a brand new original comedy that celebrates the humor and silliness of being a woman.

“Girls Only” is scheduled to run for only five more performances at the Civic Center’s Temple Theater for Performing Arts, with the final show concluding this Sunday, June 7.

While you are downtown, stop by the Brownstones on Grand for a tour of our decorated model, open from 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. on Saturday and 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. on Sunday.

For more information on the Brownstones on Grand, please contact Burnett Realty agents Kim Byers at 515.250.6475 or Bill Nittler at 515.681.4868.

Spring is has sprung, the farmers market is booming, events every weekend, last week they had the Dam to Dam race,  great event. Come downtown and enjoy.