HATCH MONTGOMERY WARD BUILDING

Built in 1934, the Hatch Montgomery Ward Building is a downtown Sioux City landmark, inspired by Colonial Revival architecture. The 42,000-square-foot structure originally featured two stories on the east half and three stories on the west half, serving as a Montgomery Ward department store until its closure in the 1970s. Subsequent tenants included an office supply company and a furniture retailer.

In late 2025, the building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural significance and historic role in the city’s commercial development. The building’s defining features include its red brick façade, limestone detailing, granite storefront, tall parapet, soaring ceilings, mezzanine balcony, and a character-rich interior reflecting Montgomery Ward’s classic department store design.

Stone Group Architects worked closely with the Owner to adaptively reuse the building, converting the upper floors into the Copper Flats 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments while preserving its historic character. A major design challenge was the addition of a fourth floor on the west half. Using original architectural drawings that documented a proposed—but never constructed—addition, we were able to demonstrate that the new floor would not alter the building’s visual character from the street, gaining approval from the State Historic Preservation Office during the Historic Tax Credit Application process.

Other site-specific challenges included the building’s mid-block location, which required a city and neighboring property petition to install new electrical service, and creative modifications to the existing elevator shaft to meet modern code. Each apartment preserves original flooring and features replicas of the building’s industrial-style windows. Every unit includes individual HVAC systems and full appliances, while residents enjoy a rooftop patio with privacy provided by the tall parapet and basement storage.

The East façade incorporates replica Montgomery Ward signage, and the retail space is occupied by The Boat House – Sioux City, maintaining an open retail flow that honors the building’s historic department store layout. Throughout the project, Stone Group Architects emphasized a careful balance of preservation and modernization, celebrating the building’s historic character while creating functional, modern living and commercial spaces.

This project exemplifies how thoughtful design and creative problem-solving can transform a historic structure into a vibrant, contemporary asset, preserving its legacy for generations to come.