Many have mistaken this tech firm’s new Greater Des Moines (DSM) office building for a large luxury home. It is an easy mistake. The grand two-story brick structure with Pella windows, a patio backing to a walking path and massive second floor deck overlooking a pond does have a homey feel. Maybe that is because the family-like culture of this rapidly growing cyber security firm was a driving force in the design?
New location
Having grown over 400 percent in the past five years, Pratum owner Dave Nelson not only needed more square footage but he needed space that would attract and inspire the best talent available. That is why finding a new location was a team effort. The Pratum leadership team considered many options, including incorporating a swimming pool into the new building. They wanted a unique place employees and their families would enjoy.
What Pratum found was with the right location they could focus on their 
office needs while taking advantage of great local amenities like walking paths, restaurants, shops and, yes, pools in the area. Within a few blocks employees can also access multiple health care clinics, fitness centers and a growing night life in The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny.
Pratum is not the only firm that sees the value in locating where their employees want to be. Justin Vogel, Branch Manager at JEO Consulting Group, Inc. sees the value in being in the growing business center in Ankeny — part of DSM. Having seven restaurants within a block of their front door makes business lunches and meetings a breeze for his busy staff and visiting clients. “This isn’t a cookie cutter office park. It truly combines the best of class A office space with trendy and unique eateries, shops and services.” Vogel told me. JEO recently moved a few miles from their previous location so it’s not surprising they are comfortable in the area but they have been surprised with just how productive they feel in their new location. Vogel is looking forward to having a view of the town square once it is complete.
Josh Cowart, managing partner of New York Life, moved his office here because, “It has all the amenities our staff and agents want with less congestion and competition than other locations we considered.”
With one of the tightest job markets in history, these employers are finding having great work space is good. Having great work space located where employees want to be is even better.
Greater Des Moines (DSM) has one of the best business climates in the country. The region is nationally recognized for having a talented and educated workforce, a cost of doing business 17 percent below the national average, a low cost of living and an exceptional quality of life.