Hyatt Place St. Paul Downtown occupies four floors of the historic St. Paul Custom House, transformed by Nelson in partnership with LodgeWorks into a modern hotel that preserves the grandeur of the building’s original architecture. The project is a strong example of Nelson’s expertise in historic adaptive reuse and hospitality development.
Des Moines Building
The Des Moines Building is a historic 12-story downtown landmark, originally designed by Proudfoot, Rawson, Souers & Thomas and erected in 1931, reimagined by Nelson into 136 market-rate apartments with ground-level office, retail, and restaurant space. The $25 million adaptive reuse project preserves the building’s original Art Deco lobby detailing and iconic 360-degree rooftop patio, with direct access to the downtown skywalk system and a private pocket park created in partnership with the City of Des Moines.
Residence Inn Omaha Downtown
Residence Inn Omaha Downtown is a 152-room extended-stay Marriott hotel in downtown Omaha, developed by Nelson in partnership with First Hospitality Group through the adaptive reuse of the landmark Old Federal Building at 15th and Dodge Streets, originally erected in 1933. The $23 million renovation preserves the building’s Stripped Classical/Art Deco character—including terrazzo floors, wooden railings, marble features, and three historic vault doors—while delivering modern extended-stay amenities and nearly 2,000 square feet of meeting space.
Fleming Building
The Fleming Building is a mixed-use landmark in downtown Des Moines, designed by Daniel Burnham in the Chicago School style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, restored by Nelson and Slingshot Architecture into 96 market-rate apartments with ground-level commercial space. The project preserves the building’s historic architectural character while delivering modern mechanical systems and interiors to meet current residential and commercial demand.
AP Lofts
AP Lofts is a 70-unit market-rate apartment community in downtown Des Moines’ East Village, developed through the adaptive reuse of a former agricultural implement warehouse originally built in the 1910s. The renovation preserves the building’s industrial character—10- to 12-foot ceilings, exposed bell columns, and concrete surfaces—while delivering modern urban living with underground and ground-level parking.
1300 Walnut
1300 Walnut is a 22,800 square foot creative office building in Des Moines’ Western Gateway district, reimagined from an 80-year-old car dealership into a distinctive workspace for design and marketing professionals in partnership with Substance Architecture and Brian Clark and Associates Landscape Architecture. The renovation preserves the building’s original steel trusses, 17-foot ceilings, and 10-by-20-foot windows, creating an architectural presence that anchors the neighborhood and reflects Nelson’s expertise in adaptive reuse.
430 East Grand
430 East Grand is a mixed-use commercial development in Des Moines, combining the renovation of a structurally compromised historic building with an 18,000 square foot, three-story addition designed for Iowa Workforce Development. The retrofitted structure provides flexible office, boardroom, training, and event space, and was recognized by CityView Magazine as the ‘Best Building Renovation.’
615 3rd Street
615 Third Street is a 50,000 square foot entertainment and retail development in Des Moines’ East Village, created in partnership with inPlay Franchise Services through the renovation of a three-story building and the addition of a 6,000 square foot banquet facility. The project transformed a downtown property into a full-service venue offering dining, arcade games, inflatables, laser tag, and rock climbing.
The Liberty Building
The Liberty Building is a 12-story historic landmark in downtown Des Moines, converted by Nelson into a premium mixed-use development featuring a Hyatt Place hotel, 16 luxury residential condominiums on floors nine through eleven, commercial office space, and a ground-floor private health club. The project restored one of Des Moines’ most recognized buildings, bringing permanent residents and new businesses back to the heart of downtown.
Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown
Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown occupies the upper floors of the historic Liberty Building in downtown Des Moines, added by Nelson as the final phase of a larger mixed-use renovation that transformed the 12-story landmark into a hotel, residential, and commercial destination. The project brings a nationally recognized hospitality brand to the heart of downtown Des Moines.