GSA auctions historic U.S. Courthouse in Des Moines

March 20, 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is offering for sale by public online auction the U.S. Courthouse located at 123 E. Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Current federal court operations will move to a new courthouse being constructed by GSA before the property’s sale closing date, which is approximately 90 calendar days after final bid acceptance. GSA is committed to being a smart steward of taxpayer dollars by disposing of unneeded space and reducing costs. GSA is reviewing all options to optimize the federal footprint and building utilization.

Property details:

• The property is part of the Civic Center Historic District that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
• The property offers a prime location in the heart of downtown Des Moines; easily accessible by major roadways, with convenient connections to I-235 and other key thoroughfares.
• Four story building with 97,470 sq. ft. plus basement on a 1.63 acres lot.   

Auction details:

• Interested parties are required to register in advance and submit a $60,000 registration deposit to be considered a bidder.
• Bidding starts at $60,000.
• Those interested in bidding are strongly urged to read the Invitation for Bids and Other Documents. 

For additional details and inquiries/questions regarding the property, please visit RealEstateSales.gov.

For inquiries/questions regarding payment, contact the following sales office:

Greater Southwest Region
Real Property Disposition
819 Taylor Street, 11th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-978-2331

GSA is leading the way to reduce government spending and closing the deficit to serve the American taxpayer. GSA is committed to reducing costs and continuing to work with all of our tenant agencies for their mission-critical needs.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government. GSA manages a nationwide real estate portfolio of over 360 million rentable square feet, oversees more than $110 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivers technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.