SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City developer has purchased the historic Benson Building at the corner of Douglas and Seventh streets.
Nelson Construction & Development, the property's new owner, is planning to "breathe new life into" the six-story brick and terra cotta structure built in 1920, according to a press release from the firm.
The sale price was $350,000, according to county sales records.
Steve Nelson, the head of Nelson Construction, said the firm is in the process of having the building, 705 Douglas St., registered as an Iowa historic building.
The plan is to return the building to its 1920s-1930s glory, Nelson said, preserving original elements of the building wherever possible. The firm has the original planning documents used during the building's construction a century ago, which could be something of a roadmap for a historically accurate restoration.
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"You'll see a lot of restoration, not necessarily new things added," Nelson said.
Nelson said the firm is in talks with a retailer as a tenant for the lower floor, which he said would "really supplement the downtown."
Floors three through six, he said, will probably be apartments, while the second floor and the remainder of the first floor would be office space. The first floor, the only part of the building that currently has occupants, is about 80 percent filled at present, he said.
The building's basement could become an underground parking garage, which would complement the property's adjacent surface parking lot.
The possibility of a rooftop patio with a view of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is also under consideration, according to the press release.
Interior work on the building, Nelson said, could start within the next 60 days or so, with more construction beginning possibly in September or October. From the time construction starts, Nelson estimated it could be 12 to 14 months until apartments are leased.
The Benson Building is situated within the boundaries of a newly created federal "Opportunity Zone," a part of the 2017 tax law which provides tax advantages for owners of properties in areas considered economically distressed.
This is the second time the Benson has been sold in less than two years. In the fall of 2018 it was purchased by Warnock Development for $150,000. In the years before that sale the building was occupied, in part, by an assortment of local artists who were known for their "Benson Burner" art shows. A martial arts business was also housed in the building before the 2018 sale.
Photos: Lower Fourth Street through the 20th century
Lower Fourth Street
The Lee Block, constructed in 1911 as a multi-use commercial building, was home to billiard halls, saloons, drug stores, furniture dealers, clothing shops and hardware stores. Notable occupants included the O.P. Skaggs grocery store (1931-1951), the Scandinavian Bakery (1933-1973) and Cooper’s Market (1955-1992).
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
People's Department Store on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City Barber College and Del-Mar Grill on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Pink Pussy Cat was located at 901 Fourth St. in Sioux City. It closed in 1982 and this area of town was torn down in the mid-1980s to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
People’s Department Store operated on the northwest corner of Court and Fourth streets from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included Albert's Shoe Repair and Oby's.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included A. Anderson & Sons Upholstering and K's Club.
Lower Fourth Street
Aalfs Manufacturing has occupied the Boston Block on Historic Fourth Street since 1929.
Harbor Inn
A photograph of the Harbor Inn on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Lexington Block building was originally occupied by the Dow Clothing Company (1891-95). Notable future occupants included a print shop (1895-97), the Henry A. Baker Company clothes manufacturing firm (1897-1916) and Max R. Mushkin’s clothing store (1917-28). Later, Zimmerman Furniture Company (1933-51) occupied the western half of the building while the Monarch Billiard Parlor (1934-56) operated the eastern half. The Sioux City Gospel Mission then owned the building until it was razed in 1987 to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
Dailey Antiques was located on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Palm Tap and 4th St. Furniture on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Econ Optical and Hardware Hank stores are shown in this photo of the Call Terminal Building, which was renamed in 1930 after it was purchased by local financier and real estate developer George C. Call.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City businessman Fred T. Evans constructed the building that bears his name in 1890. In 1919 the building became a hotel and it functioned in that capacity until 1954. The building housed Robe’s Furniture and a motorcycle club until 2006 when it was renovated for the Heidman Law Firm.
Lower Fourth Street
The Major Block was built in 1889 and has been occupied by tenants including a hardware store and a hotel. During the early 1890s it served as the University of the Northwest’s (later Morningside College) College of Commerce. Currently the 21st Amendment and Francis Canteen are businesses in these buildings at the south side of Fourth Street near the intersection of Virginia Street.
Lower Fourth Street
This Romanesque building was constructed around 1895, but it is unclear who was its architect or builder. The building’s most notable occupant was People’s Department Store, which operated here from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included The Harbor Inn, Chicago House and The Gospel Mission.
