Adaptive reuse and ground-up development that reactivates historic buildings and shapes the neighborhoods we call home.
The Opportunity
Des Moines is one of the Midwest's fastest-growing metros, and demand for thoughtful, well-located housing continues to outpace supply — both locally and nationally. The data below reflects the scale of that opportunity, and Nelson's track record of delivering against it.
Nelson's multifamily portfolio combines new construction with selective historic preservation — bringing both modern apartments and reactivated landmark buildings to the Des Moines metro.
Historic conversions qualify for federal and state historic tax credits, improving project economics where the right building meets the right market.
The U.S. is structurally short on housing — a gap decades in the making and not easily closed. Multifamily is the fastest way to add scale.
Source: Freddie Mac, 2024 Housing Supply Update
Construction hasn't kept pace. Rising costs, restrictive zoning, and slower household formation have produced a sustained imbalance that supports long-term rental demand in growing metros like Des Moines.
963 units across 8 properties over 17 years of multifamily development in Des Moines.
Years shown reflect project completion dates. Source: Nelson project records.
Our Approach
Nelson's multifamily approach starts with a deep familiarity with our home market. We've spent more than a decade building market-rate apartments and mixed-use developments across the Des Moines metro — combining ground-up construction with selective historic preservation work, and consistently delivering quality housing where demand is strongest.
Most of our portfolio is new ground-up development. When the right opportunity emerges, we also take on historic preservation projects — converting landmark buildings into modern apartments. These conversions often qualify for federal and state historic tax credits that improve project economics for our investors and reactivate buildings that matter to the community.
Nelson owns the real estate and partners with experienced property management companies to operate each community day-to-day. We hold properties for long-term cash flow, with strategic disposition when the right opportunity emerges — recycling capital into the next project and keeping the portfolio fresh.
Division Director
Division Leadership
Director of Development & Chief Operating Officer · Multifamily
Alexander leads Nelson's multifamily, mixed-use, and hospitality development and construction efforts. Since joining the team in 2015, he has focused on identifying commercial real estate opportunities and shepherding design and engineering teams through predevelopment to successful groundbreaking. He also interfaces with equity sources to ensure successful project financing and collaborates with Nelson's asset management team to ensure operational goals are met. A graduate of Drake University, Alexander served as an elected City Councilperson in Norwalk, Iowa, and remains engaged in initiatives to strengthen and grow the Des Moines community.
Multifamily communities across Des Moines, Iowa
Investment Opportunities
Nelson's multifamily portfolio offers accredited investors exposure to a strong asset class in one of the Midwest's fastest-growing metros. We own the real estate, partner with experienced property management companies for day-to-day operations, and structure each project for long-term cash flow with strategic exit optionality. Over 27 years and $1B+ in completed projects, Nelson has built lasting relationships with the partners and investors who work with us.
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