It is part of a larger downtown campus run by Principal Financial Group and features a skywalk and an eight-sided copper pyramid at its top.

Formal construction of the 801 Grand Building began in 1989, with Principal Financial Group serving as the developers and owners.

[5] In 1990, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Donald Avenson toured the nearly completed building, specifically visiting the 40th and 41st floors.

In total, the project involved approximately 500 workers representing a dozen separate labor unions.

[12][13] In 2014, Principal Financial Group refitted their entire downtown campus with diode lights.

The stone used for the 801 was originally mined in Brazil, processed in Italy, and imported to Des Moines.

This was never achieved due to the relatively low levels of sulfur pollution in the atmosphere, which led to the copper pyramid oxidizing to a deep brown color.

[16][17][18] The steakhouse has been used as a de facto clubhouse during the Iowa caucuses, and it is commonly visited by politicians and news personnel.