Falls Overlook Cafe

This 1908 hydroelectric plant was built at the Falls of the Big Sioux River to provide power for the booming City of Sioux Falls. It was expanded, remodeled and modified at many times and in many ways.

As other power generation options emerged, the building fell into disuse and disrepair. In recent years, the additions were removed and the Park surrounding it was restored.

The building was donated to the City by NSP, now Xcel Energy, and was identified in the park facilities master plan, prepared by Koch Hazard Architects, as an excellent home for a cafĂŠ and interpretive center.

As funding became available, design work began. Koch Hazard Architects did extensive research on the building to determine its original configuration and to identify original building materials such as windows and roofing. The exterior was restored using wood windows and clay tile roofing.

Stone was cleaned, repaired and tuck-pointed. Large areas of stone work had been modified or were missing so Koch Hazard Architects worked closely with the mason to find stone of appropriate size and color that could be used to fill in where needed.

The interior was cleaned up, walls insulated and refinished, and a new stained concrete floor added above the existing floor (it can be removed in the future if needed) to allow visitors to see the falls while seated in the cafĂŠ.

A new kitchen, serving counter, restrooms and storage areas are inserted into the space in a new curved form, designed to minimize its apparent bulk and differentiate it from the original structure.

Light wood is used to help make the largely north facing space appear bright and cheerful.

One addition, to the west side of the original building, was retained and rehabilitated for use as an outdoor dining and viewing deck.

A lower level of the building which originally housed water turbines is below the flood plain and so is not used.

Koch Hazard Architects helped identify locations for interpretive exhibits and worked with a local museum which developed and installed the exhibit of historic photographs.

Since opening, the cafĂŠ has been very busy and received an excellent review from the local newspaper critic.