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    3850 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, IA 50310

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    For Sale
    $1,600,000

    Six-story high rise and former theater for redevelopment.

    Type:Office
    Property size:
    67,325 SF
    Added:
    Nov 21, 2025
    Days on Market:
    141
    Last Refresh:
    Apr 6 at 12:19 am

    Property Features for 3850 Merle Hay Road

    General Information

    Standard status
    Active
    Size
    67,325 SF
    Property subtype
    Office

    Building Details

    Year Built
    1966

    We can help!

    Listing Contact
    Nora Walsh

    Listing agent Nora Walsh License #IA #S66842000

    Listing office

    Listing date Nov 21, 2025

    Source Svn

    Displayed information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

    All listing content including descriptions, pricing, images are the copyrighted material of Nora Walsh

    Overview

    Merle Hay Mall Redevelopment Opportunity

    Located at the border of Urbandale and Des Moines, Merle Hay Mall is situated in a densely-populated residential area with approximately 90,000 people within a 3-mile radius. The retail corridor benefits from its location along Merle Hay Road, a high-traffic thoroughfare. The property for sale includes a six-story high rise and an adjacent former theater, presenting a redevelopment opportunity. The former theater could be repurposed for a medical or event center. The property may be suited for active seniors housing or multifamily use due to the tower's direct access to amenities such as grocery, apparel, lifestyle options, entertainment venues, and public transit. The Merle Hay Tower offers amenities including its location along three bus lines, direct indoor access to the super-regional mall, a two-story parking deck directly outside the entrance, and a former theater space ideal for re-purposing as common area space also connected directly to the building. The property has multiple lot entrances with ample surface and covered parking. The HVAC system is in good condition. The property has a high walkability score. The property contains 67,325 square feet.
    Property Profile Insight Report Location Intelligence

    Current Use by Public Records

    Drake Headstart High School Catron Jerald L ... Physician Cathi's Salon Hair Salon Komen’s National Breast ... Association Or Organization Omega 3 Family ... Food Processing Plant

    Suggested Use

    Restaurant Real Estate Agency Law Firm Building Supply Spa & Massage Center Dental Office Big Box & Wholesale Store Auto Repair Shop Hair Salon Nail Salon

    Zoning and permitted uses should be independently verified with local authorities.

    Location Insight

    • Map
    • Local Demand
    City
    Des Moines
    County
    Polk
    State
    Iowa
    Longitude
    -93.6989
    Latitude
    41.6304

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    FAQs

    What type of property is this?
    Office building - Six-story high rise and former theater for redevelopment.
    Where is this office building located?
    The property is located at 3850 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, IA.
    What is the asking price?
    The asking price for this property is $1,600,000.
    What are key features of this property?
    This property features: Direct indoor access to super‑regional mall with grocery, apparel, entertainment and public transit.; Prime location on Merle Hay Road in a densely populated, high‑income area.; Redevelopment opportunity for seniors housing or multifamily use; other uses considered.
    (515) 259-1041
    We can help!
    Listing Contact
    Nora Walsh
    Real Estate License ID: IA #S66842000
    Learn More
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    Realmo Value Estimations

    Realmo estimates a property’s market value using a proprietary methodology that incorporates public data and user-submitted information. This cumulative value is generated by integrating a variety of conventional and innovative methods. 

    Disclaimer

    These figures are not official appraisals and should not be used as a substitute for a valuation performed by a licensed appraiser.
    Actual market value may differ due to factors not captured in the data. Estimates are offered for informational purposes only, and users should conduct independent research before making financial or investment decisions.
    By using this feature, you acknowledge that Realmo is not responsible for actions taken based on these estimates.

    AI approach

    Realmo AI Method estimates property value using machine learning models trained on millions of comparable listings, transactions, and market signals. It analyzes property features, location intelligence data, and current market dynamics to predict the most probable market value in real time.

    Realmo CapRate Calculation

    Realmo calculates the Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) to help estimate a property's potential return on investment. The Cap Rate is a fundamental metric in commercial real estate that measures the relationship between a property's net operating income and its market value.

    How We Calculate Cap Rate

    Cap Rate Formula:
    Cap Rate (%) = (Net Operating Income / Property Value) × 100

    Net Operating Income (NOI) Formula:
    NOI = Area × Lease Rate × (1 - Vacancy Rate) × (1 - Operating Expense Ratio)

    Components

    Net Operating Income (NOI) represents the annual income a property generates after operating expenses:

    • Area: Building square footage from property records
    • Lease Rate: Annual $/sqft based on market data for the property type and geographic location
    • Vacancy Rate: Percentage of unoccupied space based on market data for the property type and location
    • Operating Expense Ratio: Operating costs as a percentage of income, varies by property type

    Property Value is derived from:

    • Recent sale price (if available)
    • Statistical models using comparable sales
    • AI-powered valuation estimates

    Example Calculation

    For a 100,000 sqft Office Building:

    • Lease Rate: $25.00/sqft/year (market data for Office in this area)
    • Vacancy Rate: 8% (market data for Office in this area)
    • Operating Expense Ratio: 35% (typical for Office properties)
    • Property Value: $15,000,000

    Step 1: Calculate NOI

    NOI = 100,000 × $25.00 × (1 - 0.08) × (1 - 0.35)
    NOI = 100,000 × $25.00 × 0.92 × 0.65
    NOI = $1,495,000/year

    Step 2: Calculate Cap Rate

    Cap Rate = ($1,495,000 / $15,000,000) × 100
    Cap Rate = 9.97%

    Property Type Considerations

    Net Operating Income calculations vary by property type due to different operating expense ratios:

    • Office: Higher expenses (30-40%) for HVAC, utilities, maintenance
    • Retail: Moderate expenses (25-35%) for common area maintenance
    • Industrial/Warehouse: Lower expenses (15-25%) for minimal tenant services
    • Multifamily: Moderate expenses (35-45%) including property management
    • Self-Storage: Lower expenses (25-35%) due to minimal maintenance

    Market lease rates and vacancy rates are specific to each property type and geographic location, reflecting local market conditions.

    Disclaimer

    These calculations are estimates for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional financial analysis or appraisal.

    • Cap Rate calculations depend on market data that may change over time
    • Actual operating expenses, lease rates, and vacancy rates may differ from market averages
    • Individual property conditions, lease terms, and tenant quality significantly impact actual NOI
    • Property value estimates are approximations and not official appraisals
    • Cap rates vary widely by market, property condition, and investment risk profile

    Professional Guidance Recommended: Before making any investment or financial decisions, consult with licensed appraisers, commercial real estate brokers, and financial advisors who can evaluate your specific property and circumstances.
    By using this feature, you acknowledge that Realmo is not responsible for investment decisions or actions taken based on these estimates.

    Cap approach

    Capitalization Method calculates value based on estimated net operating income (NOI) and applying a market-based capitalization rate (cap rate), we estimate what a typical investor might be willing to pay for it.

    Comparable approach

    Comparable estimate is based on recent sales of similar nearby properties, adjusted for factors like size, condition, and location.

    Relative

    Relative property class coefficient uses factors that account for typical price differences between various asset types (e.g., retail vs. industrial) to provide a more accurate market-aligned estimate.

    Geo

    Comparable Sales Method, enhanced by Geo coefficients — location-based adjustment factors that reflect differences in price levels across neighborhoods, cities, or regions ensuring a more accurate, market-sensitive valuation.

    Stat Estimate

    This method estimates value based on actual market adjusted recent (~5 years) sales of comparable properties around by location and property type.

    • Ranges - area data calculated by industry standard IQR Outlier Removal Method
    • Range-from: 75% of all similar sales ($/sqft) are above this value
    • Range-to: 75% of all similar sales ($/sqft) are below this value
    AI Estimate

    This method estimates value based on AI market estimation of comparable properties around by location and property type.

    • Ranges - area data calculated by industry standard IQR Outlier Removal Method
    • Range-from: 75% of all estimations ($/sqft) are above this value
    • Range-to: 75% of all estimations ($/sqft) are below this value
    Alternative use

    Estimate considers the property’s potential value if used for a different purpose-based on zoning, demand, and market feasibility.

    More about this property
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