The Des Moines metro has a new big name in homebuilding. Lennar, one of the nation's largest builders, is opening its doors in Central Iowa, and it's doing it five communities at a time.
On Sept. 24, Lennar announced it was entering the Des Moines market with the start of sales at five new communities: Cross Creek, Deer Run, Southbridge, Spring Creek Ridge North and Woodbury. According to Lennar's announcement, it's the company's first-ever homebuilding operation in Iowa. The company said model homes at all five communities would open to the public in October 2026.
"Des Moines is one of the most compelling housing markets in the country right now — a growing economy, a strong job base and families who want a quality new home at an attainable price point," said Seth Moulton, division president of Lennar's Iowa Division. "Opening five communities at once says everything about how committed we are to this market. We're not dipping a toe in. We're here to build."
Where and what
The Business Record reported that, according to Lennar's website, the five communities are in:
- Cross Creek in West Des Moines.
- Deer Run in Mitchellville.
- Southbridge in Adel.
- Spring Creek Ridge North in Altoona.
- Woodbury in northeast Des Moines.
New Lennar homes are also under construction in Bondurant, Urbandale and Waukee, the Business Record reported.
Lennar says the five model homes will show off three all-new home designs. Each has an open-concept main level and a flexible layout, with a range of exterior styles. The homes run from 1,592 to 2,262 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and two to two-and-a-half baths.
Lennar describes pricing as "from the $300,000s to the low $400,000s." The Business Record, citing Lennar's website, put the range at around $330,000 to around $426,000.
Every home comes with Lennar's "Everything's Included" approach, where the features buyers want most come standard in the price. The company is also bringing its in-house lender, Lennar Mortgage, into the Des Moines market.
The man leading Lennar's push isn't new to Central Iowa homebuilding. According to the Business Record, Moulton and his brother Josh owned Ankeny-based Classic Builders from 2006 until late 2018, when the company was sold to D.R. Horton, the country's largest homebuilder. Moulton worked in a leadership role with D.R. Horton before joining Lennar.
That sets up an interesting matchup. Since entering the market, D.R. Horton has become the Des Moines area's largest homebuilder, pulling nearly 25% of the building permits issued in 2025 for single-family homes and townhouses, according to data compiled by the Home Builders Association of Iowa and reported by the Business Record.
Lennar first confirmed to the Business Record in May that it was entering the Des Moines market, but declined to say where it would build. Real estate transactions later showed the company had bought lots in several Des Moines-area communities, the paper reported.
Both D.R. Horton and Lennar are publicly traded companies, the paper noted.
A builder with a long track record
Lennar is based in Miami and, according to the Business Record, operates in 32 states. The company says it has built more than 1.5 million homes since its founding in 1954.
Lennar says the five Des Moines-area communities "represent the foundation of Lennar's new Iowa division, which will continue to grow across the region."
The company is pitching the homes squarely at first-time buyers. "For first-time buyers, it is a chance to find a home that fits their finances without compromising on quality," Lennar said in its announcement.
Why it matters for Contractors
A second national production builder setting up shop in the Des Moines metro is big news for the trades. Lennar is launching in five communities at once, with homes already going up in three more cities, and every one of those homes needs excavation, foundations, framing, roofing, siding, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, drywall, paint, flooring and cabinets. Production builders lean on reliable trade partners who can hit schedules and price consistently across a few repeatable plans. With D.R. Horton already pulling nearly a quarter of the metro's single-family and townhome permits, Lennar's arrival means another large builder competing for the same crews. Contractors who want in should reach out to Lennar's new Iowa Division about becoming a trade partner.