Battery Building getting $10.5M facelift - Upscale condominiums, offices and a restaurant planned for historic structure
By Dave Dreeszen / Journal Business Editor | Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2008
The Hamlin Group's Jane and Jim Hamlin, left, and Roger and Jane Bomgaars stand in front of Sioux City's historic Battery Building during a meeting March 28. Plans for the building, currently owned by the Bomgaars, are for it to be renovated into a mix of office spaces, luxury condominiums and a restaurant.
SIOUX CITY - Upscale condominiums, offices and a restaurant are planned for the historic Battery Building, as part of a $10.5 million restoration plan announced last year.
Omaha-based developers Jim and Jane Hamlin partnered with Roger and Jane Bomgaars on the mixed used redevelopment project, known as the Clocktower on Water Street. The Bomgaars owned the four-story brick structure at 232 Water St. The landmark building, with its signature six-story clocktower, formerly served as the corporate offices and warehouse for the Bomgaars' chain of farm and home stores.
The upper three floors would be converted into 50 loft-style condo units, with prices ranging from about $170,000 to $300,000. Residents could choose from a variety of floor plans that incorporate historic elements of the building, including exposed brick and tongue-in-groove timber framing.
At the same time, they'll enjoy all the modern comforts, such as high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, soundproofing and new mechanical systems, ceramic tile floors, gourmet kitchens and high-speed Internet.
More than 13,000 square feet of Class A office space would be carved out of the first-floor, while a one-story annex on the north side would be home to a 6,000-square-foot restaurant.
"It will ultimately create a cornerstone address in downtown Sioux City," Jim Hamlin said in an interview when the project was announced last April. "The proximity to downtown and the Tyson Events Center will bring a truly urban feel to our residents and to our commercial space."
To assist the developers, the City Council last May agreed to provide $735,000 in Tax Increment Financing, and vacate portions of Fourth and Mills streets to enlarge the site for added parking and landscaping. In October, the council granted the developers an additional year to complete the project.
The amended agreement called for a minimum value of $1.5 million for real estate tax purposes for the commercial space by Jan. 1, 2010. The minimum property tax assessment eventually would grow to $12.3 million, under the pact.
In a recent e-mail, Jim Hamlin said the developers are "experiencing some unforseen delays" in the project" that "we are dilligently working through."
As part of the project, an application has been made to place the Battery Building on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Romanesque revival-styled warehouse, noted for details such as its rooftop battlements and large arched doorways and windows, was completed in 1906 for the Simmons Hardware Co. From 1944 to 1956, it housed the Sioux City Battery Co. Even after it became home to Bomgaars' offices and central warehouse in 1973, it continued to be known as the Battery Building.
The Hamlins, Roger Bomgaars said, came up with the "most unique and thorough vision" of any of the proposals he and his wife considered.
"Besides the vision itself, the single most important characteristic is probably their passion for the project," Bomgaars said. "They bring a true passion for the area, the building and the possibility of what it could be."
The project is a coming home of sorts for Jim Hamlin, who grew up in South Sioux City, attended Morningside College and previously worked at Dakota County State Bank in South Sioux City. In 1985, he left Siouxland for a commercial real estate lending position in Omaha.
Since 1998, he has worked in real estate development. His Omaha-based firm, Farnam Group Resources, has developed projects valued at more than $71 million.
Jane and Jim Hamlin are president and vice president, respectively, of the Omaha-based Hamlin Group LLC, which develops, leases and manages real estate throughout the Midwest. The couple have previous historic preservation experience, including the recent renovation of two properties in Bartlesville, Okla.
The design calls for unique amenities, including a glass-enclosed atrium and lush park-like green spaces.
"We decided to build an atrium all the way to the roof so there will be sunlight coming through all four floors," Hamlin said.
A total of 136 parking spaces will be provided, along with some underground parking.
Hamlin said the Clocktower on Water Street would expand the city's tax rolls and bring added residents and visitors to downtown. The multi-million dollar investment also would anchor the proposed West End district, which calls for redevelopment of the area north of the Tyson Events Center with restaurants, pubs, apartments, condos and other related uses.
City economic development director Marty Dougherty noted the Clocktower on Water Street would become downtown's first market-rate condo project.
For more information on The Clocktower on Water Street, including presale of condo units, visit http://www.clocktoweronwaterstreet.com or contact Jane Hamlin at (402) 669-0619 (mobile) or email: jane@hamlingroup.com
Omaha-based developers Jim and Jane Hamlin partnered with Roger and Jane Bomgaars on the mixed used redevelopment project, known as the Clocktower on Water Street. The Bomgaars owned the four-story brick structure at 232 Water St. The landmark building, with its signature six-story clocktower, formerly served as the corporate offices and warehouse for the Bomgaars' chain of farm and home stores.
The upper three floors would be converted into 50 loft-style condo units, with prices ranging from about $170,000 to $300,000. Residents could choose from a variety of floor plans that incorporate historic elements of the building, including exposed brick and tongue-in-groove timber framing.
At the same time, they'll enjoy all the modern comforts, such as high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, soundproofing and new mechanical systems, ceramic tile floors, gourmet kitchens and high-speed Internet.
More than 13,000 square feet of Class A office space would be carved out of the first-floor, while a one-story annex on the north side would be home to a 6,000-square-foot restaurant.
"It will ultimately create a cornerstone address in downtown Sioux City," Jim Hamlin said in an interview when the project was announced last April. "The proximity to downtown and the Tyson Events Center will bring a truly urban feel to our residents and to our commercial space."
To assist the developers, the City Council last May agreed to provide $735,000 in Tax Increment Financing, and vacate portions of Fourth and Mills streets to enlarge the site for added parking and landscaping. In October, the council granted the developers an additional year to complete the project.
The amended agreement called for a minimum value of $1.5 million for real estate tax purposes for the commercial space by Jan. 1, 2010. The minimum property tax assessment eventually would grow to $12.3 million, under the pact.
In a recent e-mail, Jim Hamlin said the developers are "experiencing some unforseen delays" in the project" that "we are dilligently working through."
As part of the project, an application has been made to place the Battery Building on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Romanesque revival-styled warehouse, noted for details such as its rooftop battlements and large arched doorways and windows, was completed in 1906 for the Simmons Hardware Co. From 1944 to 1956, it housed the Sioux City Battery Co. Even after it became home to Bomgaars' offices and central warehouse in 1973, it continued to be known as the Battery Building.
The Hamlins, Roger Bomgaars said, came up with the "most unique and thorough vision" of any of the proposals he and his wife considered.
"Besides the vision itself, the single most important characteristic is probably their passion for the project," Bomgaars said. "They bring a true passion for the area, the building and the possibility of what it could be."
The project is a coming home of sorts for Jim Hamlin, who grew up in South Sioux City, attended Morningside College and previously worked at Dakota County State Bank in South Sioux City. In 1985, he left Siouxland for a commercial real estate lending position in Omaha.
Since 1998, he has worked in real estate development. His Omaha-based firm, Farnam Group Resources, has developed projects valued at more than $71 million.
Jane and Jim Hamlin are president and vice president, respectively, of the Omaha-based Hamlin Group LLC, which develops, leases and manages real estate throughout the Midwest. The couple have previous historic preservation experience, including the recent renovation of two properties in Bartlesville, Okla.
The design calls for unique amenities, including a glass-enclosed atrium and lush park-like green spaces.
"We decided to build an atrium all the way to the roof so there will be sunlight coming through all four floors," Hamlin said.
A total of 136 parking spaces will be provided, along with some underground parking.
Hamlin said the Clocktower on Water Street would expand the city's tax rolls and bring added residents and visitors to downtown. The multi-million dollar investment also would anchor the proposed West End district, which calls for redevelopment of the area north of the Tyson Events Center with restaurants, pubs, apartments, condos and other related uses.
City economic development director Marty Dougherty noted the Clocktower on Water Street would become downtown's first market-rate condo project.
For more information on The Clocktower on Water Street, including presale of condo units, visit http://www.clocktoweronwaterstreet.com or contact Jane Hamlin at (402) 669-0619 (mobile) or email: jane@hamlingroup.com
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