6 November 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Black Hawk Hotel Announces Multi-Phase Renovation Project
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA — The Black Hawk Hotel, the second longest continuously operating hotel in the country and a beloved landmark in downtown Cedar Falls, has announced an exciting new multi-phase renovation project that will invest in both the guest experience and the hotel’s role as a gathering place for the community.
The project includes updates to guest rooms and public spaces within the historic hotel, as well as a reinvestment in the adjoining 119 Main Street property to create dedicated event space. These efforts mark the next chapter in the hotel’s ongoing commitment to preserving its historic character while evolving to meet the needs of today’s travelers and community members.
The Black Hawk Hotel is a proud recipient of the 2025 Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant, a competitive grant program funded by Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and supported locally by Cedar Falls Community Main Street. In addition, the hotel has recently completed a significant refinance with Denver Savings Bank to support this renovation and ensure its long-term vitality.
The initial phase of the renovation focuses on 10 guest rooms, which will undergo thoughtful updates designed to honor the hotel’s historic architecture while enhancing guest comfort and amenities. Challenge Grant funds will specifically support the installation of new windows and the restoration of original ceilings and brick walls in the first-floor guest rooms, and critical repairs to the mansard roof. These improvements address some of the most worn areas of the building, ensuring that this cherished structure continues to serve guests for generations to come. The first phase of the renovation is also allowing the hotel to convert several former residential apartments back into guest rooms, increasing the hotel’s room count to 30 rooms.
Concurrently, a light renovation of the 119 Main Street space will transform the area into a flexible, beautifully appointed venue for community and private events, including weddings, showers, corporate gatherings, and celebrations of all kinds. Future phases of the hotel’s renovation will include updates to the remaining guest rooms, the hotel lobby, Bar Winslow, and other public spaces, with plans and timelines to be announced as development progresses.
The renovation project will bring together a team of local construction professionals, ensuring that this historic reinvestment benefits the Cedar Valley at every level. Eagle View Partners will serve as the general contractor, coordinating with local design and construction professionals to preserve the hotel’s architectural integrity while enhancing functionality and comfort.
“The Black Hawk Hotel property is one of the oldest and most important buildings in Cedar Falls, dating back to the very founders of the community. Since that time, it has been renovated only a few times, and we take this type of generational responsibility seriously. Eagle View is proud to lead this preservation project and couldn’t be happier with our community partners who also see the importance of this work,” said Mark Kittrell, Owner of The Black Hawk Hotel and CEO/Co-Founder of Eagle View.
“We’re thrilled to see The Black Hawk Hotel investing in its future while protecting its heritage. Projects like this embody what our Main Street program is all about,” said Kim Bear, Director of Cedar Falls Community Main Street.
“The Black Hawk Hotel’s continued preservation and thoughtful renovation ensure that future generations can experience a living piece of our community’s history. We’re thrilled to see this investment honoring the hotel’s past while preparing it for many more years of hospitality,” said Carrie Eilderts, Director of the Cedar Falls Historical Society.
The Black Hawk Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, continues to serve as an independent, boutique hotel known for its timeless character, modern amenities, and role as a community gathering space. Owned by Mark Kittrell and cared for by his management company, Eagle View Hospitality, The Black Hawk Hotel has been a centerpiece of downtown life since 1853 and remains committed to keeping its doors open to both travelers and locals alike.
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