Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Former Iowa Wesleyan dorms open to new tenants
Nemitz Hall leads the way with eight modern apartments as campus reuse gains momentum
AnnaMarie Kruse
Aug. 20, 2025 2:04 pm, Updated: Aug. 25, 2025 1:26 pm
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Signs of life now fill many of the former Iowa Wesleyan University buildings in Mt. Pleasant, including Nemitz Hall.
Nemitz Hall, once home to Iowa Wesleyan students, now offer market-rate apartments with updated kitchens, modern layouts and secured entrances. Property manager Deneil Inman said interest is growing as tenants move in.
“I’ve got three of them rented already, and they love them,” Inman said of Nemitz Hall. “The tenants think they’re beautiful.”
The units in Nemitz Hall were converted from dormitory suites into two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with open floor plans. Thanks to the bones of dorm life, the newly remodeled units’ restroom feature double sinks.
The original dorm layout of four bedrooms and two baths per suite was reworked by renovating two bedrooms and transforming the space into kitchens and living areas.
While the units retain many aspects of the original dorms, new residents will appreciate few critical changes including granite countertops and new appliances. Additionally, no one living in Nemitz Hall will have to visit the laundry room as each unit now includes both a washer and dryer.
Inman said the remodel strikes a balance between modern convenience and honoring the building’s history.
“They did a pretty good job on the remodel,” she said. “The owner did an excellent job choosing appliances and matching what he could to the bathrooms. The bathrooms were in perfect condition, so there was no reason to remodel those. But the kitchen, dining area and living room have all been completely remodeled.”
Inman said early tenants include a retired teacher, two friends sharing a unit and a single renter. Lower-level apartments have attracted older residents, while younger tenants tend to take upstairs units. Nemitz is also pet-friendly, offers private parking and includes secured building access. Landscaping crews are trimming bushes, with plans to add flowers and brighten the grounds in spring.
The apartments keep the Nemitz Hall name, which Inman said was done in honor of the building’s namesake. Carol J. Nemitz, an Iowa Wesleyan alumna from the class of 1956, worked at the university for nearly 50 years. She served as Dean of Students, the first female Vice President of Student Affairs, and briefly as Interim President in 2002. The residence hall was named for her in 2006, recognizing her decades of service to students and the campus.
Beyond Nemitz, community actors — from the school district to nonprofits — have acquired and repurposed key buildings.
Hershey Hall is next, slated for a gut rehab into affordable apartments, all supported by TIF and tax credit incentives. That project will add 22 income-qualified apartments through the use of housing tax credits. Unlike the market-rate units in Nemitz Hall, Hershey Hall will offer more affordable options for renters, though whether the building will cater to seniors, families or a mix has not yet been finalized.
“Hershey Hall is going to be tax credited units, so they’re going to be cheaper,” Inman said. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be seniors or families yet, but that’s the plan.”
Inman added that Hershey Hall also will retain its historic name once renovations are complete.
The redevelopment of the Iowa Wesleyan campus comes after the university closed in 2023 following 181 years of operation. The shutdown left a gap in the center of town and created uncertainty about the future of the school’s 60-acre campus. Developers purchased multiple residence halls and other buildings later that year, with plans to convert them into housing and community spaces.
Today, many of those buildings are already in use. The Mt. Pleasant Community School District now operates the gymnasium and chapel. The Belle Center has moved into a 45,000-square-foot facility once tied to the university, reimagining it as a hub for nonprofits, entrepreneurs and community groups.
The center describes itself as “a vibrant community hub where collaboration thrives, knowledge empowers and personal connections lead to action.” It offers workshops, hosts exhibits and rents event space to the public, keeping the campus connected to the community in new ways.
The revival of these spaces is also addressing a long-standing challenge in Mt. Pleasant: housing. The city has about 13,000 jobs but just 8,500 residents, according to local leaders. Many workers commute in from surrounding communities, and officials have said the shortage of affordable and workforce housing limits the town’s growth. By converting former campus buildings into apartments, developers are attempting to close that gap.
While the closure of Iowa Wesleyan marked the end of an era, the reuse of its campus buildings points toward a future built on adaptation. What once were student dormitories are now homes for retirees, professionals and families. What once were classrooms and gathering spaces are becoming hubs for business, nonprofits and community life.
Inman said tenants are already responding positively to the changes at Nemitz.
“Everybody thinks they’re beautiful,” she said. “That’s the feedback I’ve gotten.”
For a campus that once stood empty, the return of lights in hall windows and cars in the parking lot is more than a real estate success story. It is a sign of resilience and progress for Mt. Pleasant, where a community is turning a loss into an opportunity to grow.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com