Wilson lofts
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210-217 5th Avenue South, Clinton, Iowa
Units: 33 Residential Rental, First Floor Commercial $12.5 Million Investment 
GROWTH is working to preserve and transform the historic Wilson Building into a mixed-use development with residential rental units and ground floor commercial incubators for culinary and retail businesses.
The historic Wilson Building, at 210-217 5th Avenue South in the heart of downtown Clinton, Iowa. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Wilson Building “is representative of the commercial style popularized by Chicago architects such as Sullivan and Wright. There is an interest in the simplicity of design with the steel frame construction and curtain walls readily apparent. The façade is covered with white terra cotta. The vertical elements between the paired windows are dominant, but the horizontal panels contract richly pattered designs. A heavy cornice has been removed, and most of the street level altered, but the beauty and richness of the original design remains.” The Wilson Building’s redevelopment will revitalize and repurpose a historically significant landmark while maintaining its historically significant character. Adaptive-reuse and restoration activities include:
Completion of this project will addresses local housing market needs, responds to the community’s growing and dynamic downtown residential population, and is consistent with the community’s desire for unique urban living opportunities that are close to many amenities. The development advances objectives of the City’s most recent Downtown Strategic Plan and is located in an Opportunity Zone and Tax Increment Finance District. Interesting Fact: Built in 1914 as Clinton’s largest and most modern office building, the Wilson Building stands six stories tall, making it the tallest building in Clinton’s downtown business district. 
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Above: Historic photo of the Wilson Building, mid 1900's. Below: Logo for Wilson Lofts and view from the 5th floor of the Wilson Building.
Below Left: Rear façade of the Wilson Building today. Rendering of the new façade, complete with buried utility lines. Residents of the Wilson Lofts will mainly enter in from the rear of the building. 
Catalyst for Investment
GROWTH intends to advance the Wilson Building's historical intent by creating market driven housing that will ignite additional investment in the downtown. As an experienced community based developer, GROWTH has experienced firsthand how projects like the Wilson Building can stimulate further investment, turning good downtowns into great destinations. Research has demonstrated the substantial value returned to communities that invest in the renewal and improvement of historic assets. The Wilson Building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is intended to advance commerce and economic prosperity in the downtown. By redeveloping historic buildings and putting them to use, the downtown economy is stimulated, citizens are provided with equal, fair, and quality housing opportunities, local contractors are provided with work, and local tax rolls are fed. “We understand what downtown housing creates. It’s not just about redeveloping a building; it’s about redeveloping downtown as a lifestyle, and impacting the overall community. The project will serve as a catalyst for further investment in downtown Clinton.” Brian Hollenback continues, “We intend to use a comprehensive approach to provide new resources for the overall Clinton community.” 
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