have i been here before?
Looking for something to do in negative temperatures this winter?
I highly recommend taking a stroll through the skywalks of Des Moines! As stated by the city, there are just over 4 miles of temperature-controlled pathways that span twelve blocks of downtown. Taking a note from Minneapolis, Des Moines began to construct the skywalk in the 1970’s, hoping to entice businesses to move downtown while also protecting workers from the winter elements.
The Des Moines skywalk connects to what used to be known as the Kaleidoscope Hub. I continuously find new ways to appreciate the outdated architecture, lack of foot traffic, and bizarre feelings that evocate an ache for spaces lost to time. Malls in particular hold a special place for many individuals who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. While malls still exist today, they are few and far between since the rise of Amazon and online shopping and many of them doomed to die.
Have I been here before? It all feels so familiar. I begin to think of how busy it must’ve been back in its prime years. Downtown workers eating lunch, holiday shopping, etc… All that remains open now is Palmer’s Deli and a nail salon. Part of Kaleidoscope has now been demolished in anticipation for high-rise apartments.
Another area of the skywalk system that intrigued me was a hallway very reminiscent of The Backrooms. It’s an unsettling space with carpet, drop ceilings and yellow-tinted lights.
With each automatic door I passed through, I felt as if I was stepping into a different era of time.
While the skywalks of Des Moines often seem to have a liminal and vacant feel, there are a handful of businesses that are seemingly thriving. Local Bites, open from 11am-2pm Monday-Friday, is a food court style eatery with several different restaurants to choose from.
Other honorable mentions regarding food in the skywalk - JJ Jasmine Thai Cuisine, Panda Chinese Food, Mars Coffee.
In conclusion, if you’re bored and have a little time to kill, there’s a lot of interesting shit to look at in the Des Moines skywalks. It’s downright weird, but if you’re a fan of liminal space then you may find some amusement like I did.