The Cohen Building

CLIENT: The 712 Initiative
LOCATION: Council Bluffs, IA
ARCHITECT: Alley Poyner Macchietto

Lund-Ross joined the ‘530 West Broadway’ team in April of 2020. The preconstruction process began with selective demolition and exploration of the three conjoined structures that would one day become the Cohen Building. Drawing on the dozens of historic buildings renovated with Alley Poyner Macchietto over the past 35 years, a clear plan developed that would maximize the investment of The 712 Initiative.

The building required extensive structural repairs, tuckpointing, new windows and a new storefront while maintaining the historic integrity of the buildings built in 1857 to qualify for historic tax credits. Challenges arose through the Covid pandemic that required intensive planning and scheduling to keep the project on-time. Historic material inflation and availability also required constant flexibility and collaboration with the design team. The nearly 30,000-square-foot property houses nine one-bedroom, five two-bedroom and four studio units with two commercial bays on the ground floor.

As one of the oldest standing structures in the area, the Cohen Building received a restoration worthy of its prominent history in the community.

Won the1000 Friends of Iowa 2022 Best Development award in the Mixed Use category.

Exterior photo courtesy of Aaron Reese.