West Des Moines, Iowa — On April 21, 2026, Hubbell Realty Company will commemorate 170 years of serving communities across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.
Founded in 1856, Hubbell’s story began in Des Moines with its 16-year-old founder, F.M. Hubbell, who recorded a 400-acre land transaction and began what is now known as Hubbell Realty Company. His philanthropic vision and commitment to communities continues across the region through development, construction, and property management today.
“Anniversaries matter most for what they remind us to do next,” said Claire Brehmer, spokesperson for Hubbell. “Our promise remains the same: invest in places people are proud to call home. Long before modern development took shape, F.M. Hubbell understood that thriving cities require more than structures. They require systems, access, and opportunity. His efforts helped establish what would become Des Moines Water Works, advance public transportation with Des Moines first streetcar operation, and support institutions like Drake University, local hospitals, and social service organizations.”
Hubbell established numerous operations Central Iowa recognizes today:
- In 1867, Iowa’s first Equitable Life Insurance Company
- In 1871 he organizes Des Moines Water Company
- Became an original incorporator of the Des Moines Union Railway Company in 1881
- The Hubbell Building was constructed in 1913
For Hubbell Realty Company, the ’90s brought expansion into suburban and land development, including projects like Lakeview Medical Park in West Des Moines and the formal creation of Hubbell’s land development and homebuilding operation, Hubbell Homes. In 1998, the launch of Hubbell Homes filled a growing need in Central Iowa, providing thoughtfully planned neighborhoods, a land development division and homes that continue to shape areas like Mill Ridge, Gray’s Station, Waterford Landing and more.
As markets shifted in the 2000s, Hubbell once again evolved, moving deeper into multifamily housing, industrial development, and third-party construction projects. The formation of Indigo Living in 2008 positioned the company as a leader in multifamily property management, with more than 9,000 apartment units managed across five states today.
“Leadership at Hubbell has always been about continuity and community,” said Kyle Gamble, who was named President and CEO at the end of March. “We’re grateful for the people and partners who shape our work every day and we’re proud to carry on the legacy our founder and past leaders have established.”
In 2026, Hubbell Realty Company proudly celebrates its own legacy alongside several Central Iowa institutions reaching major milestone anniversaries, a reflection of the region’s enduring spirit and commitment to community:
- These include First Bank, founded in 1901 and marking 125 years of service in West Des Moines
- The Iowa National Bar Association, founded in 1925 and celebrating 100+ years of advancing justice and professional excellence.
- The Des Moines Police Department, established in 1876 and commemorating 150 years of public service.
- The year also marks 150 years since the founding of what is now the University of Northern Iowa, an institution that has educated generations of Iowans and shaped the state’s workforce since 1876.
- Finally, Easterseals Iowa, founded in 1926 and celebrating 100 years of creating solutions, changing lives, and building inclusive communities for Iowans of all abilities, including a long-standing partnership with Hubbell Realty through transformational projects at Camp Sunnyside, to name a few.
