Jan. 9, 2019

Here’s a creative new use for a building at the gateway to downtown Sioux Falls.

Sisters Amy and Betty DeBerg have bought the building at 14th Street and Phillips Avenue that was the former Sandhills Publishing office.

Sandhills bought The Gage Team in 2017. That office now is in Larson Square at 600 N. Main Ave.

For the DeBerg sisters, the property meets multiple needs.

Amy DeBerg is the founder of R&P Group, an executive search firm located at 825 W. 10th St. that she started 19 years ago. Her seven-person team is in a 1,000-square-foot space and needed more room.

“There are nine offices in the new space on the main floor,” she said.

The firm specializes in placing executives in the credit card, payment and fintech industry. Clients include major brands such as Discover, Walmart and Kroger.

“We have great clients and an amazing team here,” she said.

Her current building, which she owns, is for sale.

Both sisters also were interested in living downtown. Each condo will be about 1,000 square feet.

“I’ve been interested in living downtown ever since I moved to Sioux Falls four years ago,” said Betty DeBerg, who moved back from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“I’m eager not to have to worry about a house, and I love downtown. It’s going to make for really interesting loft space.”

Amy DeBerg looked at other downtown condos, “and I got a feel for what’s available, and they’re incredible locations, but the nice thing was I could have the office below,” she said.

The location across from Lyon Park added to the appeal, they said.

The building originally was a chapel on an Air Force base in Sioux Falls during World War II, they said. It then was a parish hall before moving to the current location, where it has been renovated and expanded over the years.

The DeBergs also are hoping to redo the exterior and potentially add a garage and small decks.

“It will look a lot different and change the look of that block,” Amy DeBerg said.

The hope is to be able to move in this spring.