The Cowles Mansion is now for sale. It is a rare opportunity to live in a home with a significant local history. This magnificent home, built by Gardner Cowles in 1909, the founder of the DM Register, Minneapolis Star Newspaper, and Look Magazine, is set on a 2.5-acre estate with mature oak trees on a hilltop lot on Mansion Row. The home has 15 rooms, 7,151 SF, 6 BRs, 8 baths, 4 fireplaces, all brick exterior, slate roof, 4 car detached garage/carriage house and a 700 SF in-ground pool installed in 1993. The first floor has 9’ ceilings, hardwood floors, a large entry, elegant stairway, huge living room with woodburning FP, parlor/office with woodburning fireplace; formal dining room with beamed ceiling and woodburning fireplace, sitting room/office, sun room, family room, updated kitchen with island and deluxe appliances. The second floor has 4 BRs, 4 baths, primary BR has FP and his & her closets. The third floor is finished with more BRs & baths. All the old home charm remains. Make an appointment to explore this intriguing home.
For sale
Price cut: $105K (7/30)
$1,395,000
100 37th St, Des Moines, IA 50312
9beds
7,151sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1909
2.53 Acres Lot
$-- Zestimate®
$195/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
All brick exteriorSlate roofSun roomLarge entryMature oak treesHardwood floorsElegant stairway
- 123 days
- 2,387
- 146
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
RICK WANAMAKER 515-771-2412,
Iowa Realty Mills Crossing,
MARY KAY MICKELSON 515-453-6655,
Iowa Realty Mills Crossing
Source: DMMLS,MLS#: 742062
Originating MLS: Des Moines Area Association of REALTORS
Originating MLS: Des Moines Area Association of REALTORSFacts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 9
- Bathrooms: 8
- Full bathrooms: 3
- 3/4 bathrooms: 3
- 1/2 bathrooms: 2
Heating
- Hot Water, Natural Gas
Cooling
- Central Air
Appliances
- Included: Cooktop, Dishwasher, Microwave, Refrigerator, Stove
- Laundry: Upper Level
Features
- Separate/Formal Dining Room, Eat-in Kitchen
- Flooring: Hardwood
- Basement: Unfinished
- Number of fireplaces: 4
- Fireplace features: Gas Log, Wood Burning
Interior area
- Total structure area: 7,151
- Total interior livable area: 7,151 sqft
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 4
- Parking features: Attached, Garage
- Attached garage spaces: 4
Features
- Levels: Two,Three Or More
- Stories: 2
- Pool features: In Ground
Lot
- Size: 2.53 Acres
Details
- Parcel number: 09004515004000
- Zoning: RES
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Two Story,Three Story
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Brick
- Foundation: Brick/Mortar
- Roof: Slate
Condition
- Year built: 1909
Utilities & green energy
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Public
Community & HOA
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Des Moines
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $195/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $1,462,800
- Annual tax amount: $27,297
- Date on market: 6/1/2026
- Cumulative days on market: 123 days
- Listing terms: Cash,Conventional
- Road surface type: Concrete
Estimated market value
Not available
Estimated sales range
Not available
Not available
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 7/30/2026 | Price change | $1,395,000-7%$195/sqft |
Source:  DMMLS #742062 Report a problem | ||
| 6/1/2026 | Listed for sale | $1,500,000+100.1%$210/sqft |
Source: DMMLS #742062 Report a problem | ||
| 1/15/1999 | Sold | $749,500$105/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,056 +1.6% | $1,462,800 -3.8% |
| 2024 | $29,580 +1.4% | $1,521,100 |
| 2023 | $29,172 +0.8% | $1,521,100 +22% |
| 2022 | $28,950 -0.5% | $1,246,700 |
| 2021 | $29,102 -3.7% | $1,246,700 +6.1% |
| 2020 | $30,228 +2% | $1,174,800 |
| 2019 | $29,626 +1% | $1,174,800 +5.8% |
| 2018 | $29,320 | $1,110,900 |
| 2017 | $29,320 +15.2% | $1,110,900 +14% |
| 2016 | $25,444 | $974,300 |
| 2015 | $25,444 +2.4% | $974,300 -0.5% |
| 2014 | $24,840 | $979,000 |
| 2013 | -- | $979,000 +0.2% |
| 2012 | -- | $976,700 |
| 2011 | -- | $976,700 -0.2% |
| 2010 | -- | $978,400 |
| 2009 | -- | $978,400 +0.9% |
| 2008 | -- | $969,200 |
| 2007 | -- | $969,200 +11.1% |
| 2006 | -- | $872,100 |
| 2005 | -- | $872,100 +10.5% |
| 2003 | -- | $789,260 +1.5% |
| 2002 | -- | $777,710 |
| 2001 | -- | $777,710 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Monthly payment
Est. payment
Payment breakdown
Explore the cost of this home by adjusting the details. Changes won't be saved.Climate risks
Neighborhood: Greenwood
Nearby schools
Schools provided by the listing agent
- District: Des Moines Independent
Source: DMMLS. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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