The Teachout Building, built in 1912 by Horace E. Teachout, is a six-story office building that has occupied a prominent position in the foreground of the state of Iowa Capitol since its design by architects Proudfoot and Bird. Once the cornerstone of this important east side commercial corner, it was the victim of many flawed and failed remodeling efforts until its purchase in 1997 by the architect Kirk V. Blunck. Not only did Blunck pay careful attention to physically restoring the significant exterior and interior architectural characteristics to their former prominence, a central goal of the Teachout Building project was to a bring a diverse group of creative small businesses to the area. The building’s restoration established it as the benchmark and catalyst for the revitalization efforts of the Gateway East - today’s Historic East Village of Des Moines.
The Teachout Building, built in 1912 by Horace E. Teachout, is a six-story office building that has occupied a prominent position in the foreground of the state of Iowa Capitol since its design by architects Proudfoot and Bird. Once the cornerstone of this important east side commercial corner, it was the victim of many flawed and failed remodeling efforts until its purchase in 1997 by the architect Kirk V. Blunck. Not only did Blunck pay careful attention to physically restoring the significant exterior and interior architectural characteristics to their former prominence, a central goal of the Teachout Building project was to a bring a diverse group of creative small businesses to the area. The building’s restoration established it as the benchmark and catalyst for the revitalization efforts of the Gateway East - today’s Historic East Village of Des Moines.
Non-profit rates available upon request.
Non-profit rates available upon request.
What is the capacity of the space?
The event space holds a maximum capacity of 250 people for a standing cocktail event and 200 people for a seated dinner.
What does the rental fee include?
Rental fee includes access to the below chairs, tables, and miscellaneous items.
In addition, 3 sets of ladders can be provided to assist in setup and breakdown.
How long will I be given access to the venue?
If booking a wedding reception, you are given full access to the space from Friday at noon to Sunday at 1 pm. This gives you maximum convenience for setup and breakdown, and also allows you to host a number of your wedding weekend events including rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception at one all-inclusive rate.
Is this venue handicapped accessible?
Yes, the venue is ADA compliant. There is elevator and stairwell access up to the third floor.
How do I secure a date?
In order to reserve your date, you are required to sign a short-term rental agreement contract and submit a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to event date. Proof of event rental insurance with coverage of $1,000,000 is also required.
Do you have required vendors?
We do not have constraints on which caterers, florists, rental companies, or other vendors you are required to use. We are happy to provide suggestions and recommendations on request.
Can I provide my own alcohol?
Yes. A major benefit of the space is that you are allowed to bring your own alcohol permitting that you are hosting the bar and your caterer is responsible for serving your guests. In accordance with Iowa State Law, cash bars are permitted only if a liquor license is obtained through the City of Des Moines. Most caterers carry permits and liquor licenses allowing them to serve alcohol at your event.
Do you host other events besides weddings?
Due to our commitment to giving weddings the flexibility to set up and hold multiple events within our space over a weekend (wedding bookings receive access to the space on Friday afternoons through Sunday mid-day), we prioritize our availability for weddings. While most of our bookings are for weddings, we will give consideration to other types of events such as corporate functions or non-profit events.
Can I book an event on a weeknight?
While we will give consideration to weekday events, we are also mindful of noise levels with respect to our residential neighbors and prefer that events held during the week end before 10pm.
© Teachout Properties 2017