He’s officially 30 days in. Meet Kyle Gamble, the brand new CEO of Hubbell Realty. Gamble touches on the future of their business, why downtown will come back, and what technology they’re looking at to lower housing costs. Gamble believes Central Iowa’s competitive edge lies in a high quality of life that outweighs the “young exodus” seen in other markets.
With 32 years at the company under his belt, Gamble views current economic headwinds—like rising material and labor costs—as cyclical challenges that can be mitigated through strategic volume building and lifestyle-focused development.
He emphasizes that the cost of living remains low relative to competitors, noting, “When you do the math, central Iowa and the markets that we’re in, Iowa in general is a very, very good place to be”. To retain talent, Hubbell Realty is investing heavily in “multipliers” like the ICON Water Trails and the Pro Iowa soccer stadium, aiming to create environments where recreation and career advancement coexist.
The Evolution of Construction and Amenities
While Gamble acknowledges the impact of remote work, he says their flexible floor plans were created to be adaptive to changing needs. But he did mention buyers are motivated by high-level amenities in both the buyer and renter pools. These include “touchdown spaces,” specialized fitness areas, and even saunas to meet evolving demands.
Looking toward the next five years, Gamble anticipates that robotics will be a primary driver in reducing timelines, though he remains skeptical of 3D-printed homes due to Iowa’s climate. He explains the operational benefit of new tech, stating, “I really think that robotics mechanics will help us build faster, and robotics is gonna help us build 24 7 every single day”.
Navigating Markets and Policy For Aging Iowans
Gamble says they’re also exploring “cottage communities”—smaller, 1,300 to 1,700-square-foot homes without garages—to provide attainable price points in amenity-rich locations for retirees looking to downsize. Regarding the broader economic landscape, Gamble is closely watching property tax reform, advocating for growth over austerity. He warns against stifling capital investment, asserting, “We cannot tax ourselves or cut ourselves to prosperity, and we have to continue to invest”. Ultimately, Gamble remains optimistic about the future of downtown Des Moines, citing a strong foundation of corporate commitments and a billion dollars in capital investment.