Why Businesses Are Moving Their Offices to Ankeny and Des Moines Suburbs
Over the past few years, Central Iowa has seen a major shift in where companies choose to build or relocate their offices. Instead of staying in the urban core, many businesses are moving to Ankeny and the surrounding Des Moines suburbs, and the momentum continues to grow in 2025.
This trend isn’t just a temporary reaction to hybrid work or commercial rents. It reflects deeper changes in how modern businesses operate, what employees want, and what makes long-term financial sense.
If you’re considering a new office space, here’s why the suburbs are becoming the preferred location, and how Happe Commercial can help bring your vision to life.
1. Lower Costs and Higher Value for Office Construction
One of the biggest drivers behind suburban relocation is cost efficiency.
Commercial land in downtown Des Moines is limited, and expensive. In contrast, areas like Ankeny, Altoona, Johnston, Waukee, and Grimes offer:
- Larger lot sizes
- More predictable zoning
- Room for future expansion
- Lower land acquisition cost
- Competitive construction pricing
This allows businesses to invest more in modern design, efficient layouts, and employee-focused features instead of squeezing into tight footprints.
Pro Tip: Suburbs offer better opportunities for ground-up builds, allowing your office to be fully customized to your brand and workflow.
2. Better Accessibility and Easier Commutes
Traffic congestion and limited parking in downtown Des Moines remain ongoing challenges.
Suburban office locations provide:
- Shorter commute times for employees
- Ample free parking
- Quick access to I-35, I-80, and Highway 69
- Less stress and greater reliability
For many companies, improving the daily experience of getting to work boosts productivity, retention, and overall satisfaction.
If you’re planning a suburban office, explore our Commercial Projects to see how we design workspaces that prioritize accessibility and workflow.
3. Growing Workforce in Ankeny and Surrounding Areas
Ankeny is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa, drawing young families, students, and professionals.
Many companies are choosing to move closer to where their employees actually live.
Benefits include:
- Proximity to a younger, skilled workforce
- Access to Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)
- Strong residential growth driving talent retention
For businesses planning long-term operations, choosing a location aligned with workforce migration is a competitive advantage.
4. Expanding Retail, Dining, and Lifestyle Amenities
In the post-pandemic era, many businesses are rethinking how much space they need — and what it should look like. Suburbs offer greater flexibility for:
- Open layouts
- Hybrid-friendly meeting rooms
- Employee wellness spaces
- Outdoor collaborative areas
Growing communities like Ankeny and Waukee also support mixed-use developments, giving businesses the ability to integrate retail, office, and service elements into a single project.
Pro Tip: Suburban land makes it easier to add future expansions, parking upgrades, or warehouse components if your company grows.
If you’re planning a location near retail or lifestyle areas, explore our Hospitality Construction
capabilities to see how we’ve supported similar commercial environments.
6. Business Incentives and Strong Economic Growth
Cities like Ankeny, Johnston, and Grimes continue to invest in economic development, offering:
- Tax incentives
- Development grants
- Business support programs
- Faster permitting timelines
Combined with strong population growth, these suburbs are becoming business hubs with long-term stability and opportunity.
7. Opportunity for Custom, Ground-Up Construction
Unlike the limitations of older downtown buildings, suburban developments allow companies to design a space that perfectly reflects their brand, culture, and workflow.
That includes:
- Custom layouts
- Modern material selections
- Energy-efficient building systems
- Smart-office technology
- Unique architectural features
- More natural light and green integration
The Future of Iowa Workspaces Is Being Built in the Suburbs
The shift toward suburban office locations is here to stay, and businesses that make the move early can secure better land, better amenities, and better long-term operational value.
At Happe Commercial, we help companies design and build modern workspaces that support productivity, culture, and growth. Whether you’re relocating or starting fresh, our team will guide you from concept to completion with excellent craftsmanship and 5-star communication.
