WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — State and local officials, architect Renzo Piano, and Kum & Go leaders and associates have celebrated the groundbreaking of Krause Gateway Center at 1459 Grand Ave. in Des Moines.

Kyle J. Krause, Kum & Go CEO and president, Terry E. Branstad, governor of Iowa, Frank Cownie, mayor of Des Moines and Piano gave remarks at the event before the crowd of 200 was invited to participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking. After the event, Kum & Go donated the shovels and hardhats to Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.

The convenience-store officials expect the new building to be complete in early 2018.

At the end of June, Kum & Go shared the designs for the five-story Krause Gateway Center. The building was designed to provide Kum & Go executives and employees a modern and highly collaborative work environment that offers flexibility for growth in the years to come.

Building highlights include:

• Natural, abundant light throughout the building.
• Collaborative work environments.
• Outdoor meeting space.
• Rooftop garden.
• Dedicated space for training.
• Multi-purpose room for all-company gatherings and events.
• Fitness room and adjoining locker room.
• Game room.
• Art collection.
• 225 underground parking spaces for associates.

The fifth-largest, privately held and company-operated convenience-store chain in the United States, West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go is an industry pioneer that has grown since 1959 to operate more than 430 c-stores and 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming).