South Main

Pella was experiencing housing shortages at multiple price-points. The older residents, empty-nesters but those not yet needing to be in a retirement community, had very little suitable options for scaled down living. This barrier created a Housing Damn, and there was no housing stock for young families to move up into larger, nicer homes. This trickled all the way down to the young adults in the community and single affordable living options were slim to none. Many of these individuals commuted to Pella from Des Moines, where they could find better housing options.

Pella, being a very close-knit community, had a desire to keep these commuters in-town in order to create a stronger sense of community. South Main is attempting to solve this problem by providing 17 units that cater to the older residents who are looking for dignified living in a space that requires less maintenance, safer living, and a sense of community. Phase 2 will introduce Modern Lofts at various price points, as well as affordable mid-level townhomes to help the other members of the spectrum. Combined, South Main will help loosen up the market a bit to allow families at different stages of life find living solutions that fit their family needs.

The SHYFT team master planned and designed the redevelopment of an existing blighted site of a closed elementary school in Pella, IA. SHYFT was engaged on this development project to lead all Design, Construction Management, and Co-Developer services to minimize risk for the investor group. Currently, we are developing beautiful, urban housing options that are embedded into the historical fabric of the city. South Main is a mixed, multi-family development that includes residential townhouses and flats.