A model furnished living room and kitchen is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts on Thursday in Davenport. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta, Quad-City Times
The front entrance to the Pershing Hill Lofts is seen Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Davenport. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
This is the Pershing Hill Lofts.
John Schultz
Downtown Davenport is seen from a sixth floor unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The kitchen and living room space of a three bedroom unit are seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
Support beams and trusses are seen in the ceiling at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
An old garage door used for loading freight is seen in a bedroom at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
John Ruhl, a partner on the project, gives a tour of one of the apartments at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
John Carroll, a partner on the project, gives a tour showing the alleyway that will be converted to a patio at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The kitchen and living room space of an apartment is seen with a corner view at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A hallway leading from the concrete side of the building to the timber side is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
An original column is seen in the living room of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
An old doorway converted to a window is seen in the living room of a three bedroom unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
An original timber support is seen in the living room of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A island countertop made from reclaimed wood from the project is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A painted "Lumber" sign is seen on the living room wall of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The bathroom of an apartment is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
An alleyway to be converted to a patio is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The view from the east side of the building including the Mississippi River is seen from the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A furnished display bedroom is seen in a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A furnished display bedroom is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The kitchen and living room is seen in a two-bedroom unit with display furniture at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
Writing left on the ceiling from workers is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
The bathroom of an apartment is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Andy Abeyta Quad-City Times
A General Electric logo, a former owner, is seen set into the concrete on the front of the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Pershing Hill Lofts is creating its own spark of electricity as it earns the distinction as the final loft housing conversion in downtown Davenport's historic Warehouse District.
Located at 511 Pershing Ave., the redevelopment has renovated a pair of century-old warehouses into 62 new loft apartments. The connected warehouses last housed Crescent Electric Co.'s former headquarters and warehouse. Before that, they previously belonged to General Electric — whose insignia still is part of the masonry on the building's front, and Sieg Iron Co.Â
"This finishes off the Warehouse District," said Davenport attorney John Carroll, one of partners in the Pershing Hill ownership group. Â
The development is owned by Pershing Hill Lofts LLC, which is a partnership between Carroll, John Ruhl, Tom Roederer, Matt Slavens and the Bush family, whose Bush Construction was the general contractor on Pershing Hill. Studio 483, Rock Island, was the architect.
The warehouse district's transformation dates back to 2003-2004 when Wisconsin-based Alexander Co. became the first developer to revive some of the vacant and underused warehouses on the east end of downtown. Since Crescent Lofts opened in 2005 in the former Crescent Cracker & Macaroni Co. building, other developers have followed suit and Pershing Lofts now brings the district to a total of 324 new apartments.  Â
Owned by Pershing Hill Lofts LLC, Pershing Hill becomes the last of the district's eight largest buildings to be brought back to life. The $15 million Pershing Hill welcomed its first tenants in the past month — nearly six years after the developers acquired the vacant buildings. Crescent Electric relocated a year earlier to new headquarters on Davenport's North Brady Street. Â
"There have been some troubles and there have been some fun discoveries," Ruhl said of the delayed development, hiccups with state and national debates over historic tax credits, as well as unearthed surprises during the renovations.
"If you look around, there are old concrete columns exposed in almost every unit," Ruhl, who also is the president of NAI Ruhl Commercial, said during a tour earlier this week.Â
In fact, the lofts' design retained as many original architectural features as possible from scribbles of old graffiti by warehouse workers of yesteryear on walls and timbers to old company advertisements painted on the exposed brick walls. Also adding to the traditional loft feel are exposed wooden rafters, timbers, new mechanicals, original concrete floors as well as spacious layouts and ceiling heights rising 13 to 22 feet high.
"We have so much square footage to work with we were able to design a lot of different units and styles of units," Carroll said. Units range from studios to three-bedroom apartments. A few even have a separate private entrance — functioning more like a townhouse, he added.Â
A former mezzanine — which was not considered historic — was demolished but re-purposed into wooden countertops on the kitchen islands in many of the units. Still awaiting a new purpose are some 800-pound elevator gears that Ruhl said will be transformed into new lighting fixtures "if we can figure out how to hang them ..."
Though they function as a single building, the six-story former Crescent Electric building is of concrete construction, while the three-story former Sieg Iron building is of timber construction. Â
Inside many of the units, "the old loading doors (remain) where they would have pulled up the horse and buggy," Ruhl said. Other remnants of loading docks have been incorporated into the interior architecture.Â
"Almost every unit has a unique feature or view," Carroll added.
According to Carroll, the 18-month construction project had an IMPACT agreement — meaning that management, the trades and unions agreed to complete the project on time and on budget. "That was an important part of getting the project going," he said.
However, the project's start faced other delays as it waited for the future of federal historic tax credits to be decided and secured financing. The U.S. House had proposed eliminating the credits, but "It got worked out," Ruhl said. The credits allowed the project to be market-rate units. "But it caused a two-year delay."
Throughout the wait, the investors kept a close eye on downtown housing demand and it has not wavered. In fact, a recent housing survey suggests the downtown could support another 1,000 to 1,500 market-rate units," he said. Â
Now open for residents, Pershing Hill is having "very good leasing activity," he said, adding that 10 units are leased and several are close to being rented.Â
Ruhl said tenants and prospects have included students from Palmer College of Chiropractic and St. Ambrose University as well as young professionals.Â
"It's mostly young professionals, but we're getting a lot of looks from empty-nesters," he added. He said one of the trends the housing market is seeing is from "People who didn't recover as fast from the recession and wanted to retire. Now they are dumping their house and looking for new product. Empty-nesters are an untapped market."Â Â
The project's completion is another milestone for downtown's redevelopment.Â
"This is a pretty huge accomplishment," said Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership. "I hope it shows the community how long these efforts take. They don't happen over night."
An effort that began nearly 14 years ago with Alexander Co.'s arrival, the warehouse district now has attracted other developers including the Pershing Hill owners, Restoration St. Louis and Y & J Properties. "Literally, all the developers who have done projects in downtown have had a piece of this,'' Carter said.Â
Pershing Lofts
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Pershing Hill Lofts
Pershing Hill Lofts - at a glance
What: A total of 62 new luxury lofts built into a pair of contiguous warehouse buildings circa 1912 and 1915.Â
Where: 511 Pershing Ave., Davenport, in the Warehouse District.Â
Investment: $15 millionÂ
Developer: Pershing Hill Lofts LLC. Managed by NAI Ruhl Commercial.
Units: Studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom ranging from 500 square feet to 1,800 square feet.Â
Rents: Ranging from $800 to $2,240.Â
Amenities: Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, in-unit laundry, key-less entry, storage units, shared outdoor patio and a future party room. Â
Unique addition: A parcel room was created for deliveries "if your Amazon package comes and you're not home," said developer John Ruhl. He admits it was an idea they came up with when researching and watching "lots of HGTV."Â Â
A model furnished living room and kitchen is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts on Thursday in Davenport. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The front entrance to the Pershing Hill Lofts is seen Thursday, May 10, 2018, in Davenport. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Downtown Davenport is seen from a sixth floor unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The kitchen and living room space of a three bedroom unit are seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Support beams and trusses are seen in the ceiling at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
An old garage door used for loading freight is seen in a bedroom at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
John Ruhl, a partner on the project, gives a tour of one of the apartments at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
John Carroll, a partner on the project, gives a tour showing the alleyway that will be converted to a patio at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The kitchen and living room space of an apartment is seen with a corner view at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A hallway leading from the concrete side of the building to the timber side is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
An original column is seen in the living room of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
An old doorway converted to a window is seen in the living room of a three bedroom unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
An original timber support is seen in the living room of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A island countertop made from reclaimed wood from the project is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A painted "Lumber" sign is seen on the living room wall of a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The bathroom of an apartment is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
An alleyway to be converted to a patio is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The view from the east side of the building including the Mississippi River is seen from the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A furnished display bedroom is seen in a unit at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A furnished display bedroom is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The kitchen and living room is seen in a two-bedroom unit with display furniture at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
Writing left on the ceiling from workers is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
The bathroom of an apartment is seen at the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.
A General Electric logo, a former owner, is seen set into the concrete on the front of the Pershing Hill Lofts in Davenport on Thursday, May 10, 2018. The $15 million project renovated the former warehouse into 62 market-rate lofts. Rooms range from studio size to three bedroom with rental prices between $800 and $2,240 a month.