Adaptive Reuse Transforms Historic Building into The Concord Collaborative
DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21, 2026 — SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, was recognized at The Des Moines Heritage Trust’s Historic Preservation Awards Dinner for its contribution to the transformation of The Concord Collaborative, a 1919 commercial building located in Des Moines’ historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. The Concord Collaborative was among the 2026 Historic Preservation Projects of the Year.
The award honors projects demonstrating excellence in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and community impact. SSOE’s Des Moines-
based Jeff Blosser, AIA, Senior Architect, and Morgan Rinker, Senior Designer—along with Sadie Caldwell, AIA, NCARB, Project Architect, and Steve Reynolds, AIA, LEED AP, Architect and Business Leader, who traveled in from Columbus, Ohio—attended the Historic Preservation Dinner on May 14 in support of DEV Partners’ acceptance of the award on behalf of the project team.
Originally constructed as a neighborhood bakery and grocery store, The Concord had fallen into disuse in recent decades. Through a design-driven adaptive reuse approach, the building has been reimagined as a modern workplace while preserving its historic character and community presence.
Rather than treating the project as a simple renovation, the design team approached The Concord as an opportunity to show how architecture can shape neighborhood reinvestment. The reconfigured floor plan supports a variety of work styles with large and small meeting rooms, virtual conferencing stations, lounge areas, and a shared kitchenette. The interior balances openness and flexibility, creating spaces for collaboration, focus, hospitality, and day-to-day connection.
Rinker led the project’s programming, interior design, project management, and construction administration, working closely with the client, engineering consultants, and construction team to ensure successful completion.
Rinker shared:
“This recognition from the Historic Preservation Trust reinforces our approach to preservation, which is helping a building evolve, not freezing it in time. With The Concord Collaborative, we used materiality as a bridge, with new materials alongside historic elements, allowing both to remain legible.”
A Preservation-Led Approach
Historic materials remain central to the experience of the space. Original brick masonry, wood beams, and the historic mosaic entry tile were preserved and restored as visible links to the building’s past, while historically accurate window restorations bring natural light deep into the interior. A contemporary metal stair connects the two levels, reinforcing openness while preserving key sightlines.
Blosser, Architect on The Concord Collaborative project, shared:
“The Concord is a reminder that good design isn’t cosmetic, it’s strategic. By working with what already existed, we were able to create a space that supports how people work today while reinforcing the history and identity of Sherman Hill. We love The Concord so much we moved ourselves in!”
Blosser worked closely with building ownership during acquisition, leading due‑diligence efforts, early architectural studies, and serving as architectural project manager from concept development through construction.
The project reflects SSOE’s broader commitment to adaptive reuse as a sustainable urban strategy, reducing environmental impact while contributing to ongoing neighborhood revitalization.
Now home to SSOE, DEV Partners, and SHYFT, The Concord Collaborative serves as both a workplace and a community landmark—continuing the building’s legacy as a place of daily interaction and exchange.
Commenting on project, Danny Heggen, Partner and Chief Financial Officer of DEV Partners, shared:
“From the start, our goal was to reinvest in the building while respecting its role in the neighborhood. This project shows how thoughtful adaptive reuse can create long‑term value for both tenants and the community. And now, it acts like a business card for our teams. It is a great example of what the DEV Partners, SSOE, and SHYFT teams are capable of each time a client enters our office.”
Read SSOE’s Project Profile: The Concord Collaborative
About the Des Moines Heritage Trust
The Des Moines Heritage Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings throughout the greater Des Moines metropolitan area. The Concord Collaborative marks the eighth award received by SSOE’s Des Moines office.
At the May 14 awards dinner, Derek Lord, Vice President of The Des Moines Heritage Trust Board of Directors, spoke about The Concord Collaborative project, stating:
“740 18th Street in Sherman Hill, historically known as The Concord Garage and Commercial Building, owes its name and purpose to its close relationship with the neighboring Concord Apartments. The building was designed with both practicality and community in mind. […] Its garage provided 20 parking spaces for residents at the apartments, an early, forward-thinking amenity at a time when automobile ownership was rapidly increasing.
On the street-facing side, the building also featured a commercial storefront with a second-floor apartment that was intended for a shopkeeper. […] The building, like many of its era, faced the challenges of changing and evolving needs. Yet, its solid construction and adaptable design made it an ideal candidate for reinvention. […] In its new role, it stands as a strong example of how historic structures can be preserved and repurposed, honoring their past while supporting the vitality of the neighborhood for many years to come.”