Ask CITYVIEW

How far along is the construction of the 515 Walnut Tower?

Those who have driven through downtown Des Moines lately have seen the capital city’s latest skyscraper taking shape. We reached out to Beal Derkenne Construction for an update and received this response, along with photos from the director of business development, Erin Knupp.

“Currently midway through the project schedule. Level 23 is pouring this week (March 11), and the exterior façade window system is trailing close behind at level 18. Interior framing and MEP rough-in are spread across levels 14-17, and drywall finishing and paint are on levels 9-13. Cabinets, countertops, shower doors and MEP trim are being installed between levels 5-8 and flooring is being installed at level 3. The topping out of the structure is targeted at early to mid-July, 2026! Expected completion date: 2nd quarter 2027,”

Upon its completion, the 33-story tower will be the fourth-tallest building in Iowa, trailing the Ruan Center, the Marriott Hotel, and 801 Grand. 

Is it true that Lou Sipolt Jr. once held the world record for consecutive miles driven on two wheels?

Yes, it’s true. The host of “Iowa Live” on WOI channel 5 (and a longtime emcee of the CITYVIEW Best of Des Moines event) did hold the World Record for consecutive miles driven on two wheels. He set the record on June 26, 1977, driving an MG midget on two wheels for 7.5 miles at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania at 16 years old. A video of the event can be viewed on Lou’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@LouSipoltJr/videos. 

The most similar feat we could find in the Guinness Book of World Records is for the longest “car side wheelie” by Italian Michele Pilia at Sant’Elia Stadium, Cagliari, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2009. Pilia edged out Sipolt’s record by driving for more than 230 miles. ♦