NEWTON, Iowa — Newton is honoring its history by revitalizing the space where the former Maytag Company once occupied and turning it into a new community attraction.

The Maytag Company was once the largest employer in Newton but closed its doors in 2006 when Whirlpool acquired the company. Eight buildings were left behind and they were gifted to the Des Moines Area Community College Newton Campus in 2016.

Since then, DMACC has turned the space into a neighborhood of its own, called the Legacy Plaza. Its goal is to make the space feel like a big city by providing several amenities, but still have it sit inside a small town.

DMACC recently sold four of the buildings to Christensen Development to create an apartment building and a hotel. The four-story apartment building will house 78 apartments and the project is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The boutique hotel will have 58 rooms and they’re hoping it’ll be ready by next fall.

DMACC continues to develop the other four buildings into a business district. There are currently 20 tenants, including a craft brewery called Gezellig, a popular pub called Murph and Mary’s Irish Pub, a yoga space, and so much more.

A unique attraction of the Legacy Plaza is its connectivity. Residents in the apartments won’t have to go outside to get to the businesses because the buildings are connected by breezeways.

While being outside is optional, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an outdoor attraction. DMACC is currently in the process of developing a five-acre green space. There are plans for a pavilion with an ice skating rink donated by the Iowa Wild, an outdoor theatre and performance stage, an area for intimate gatherings, a centerpiece fountain, and sculptures.

Kim Didier is the Executive Director of DMACC Community Resources. She said the Legacy Plaza is bringing more jobs to the town and is becoming a community attraction.

“It’s slowly come back to life… these are little things, but we have to have stop signs right by Legacy Plaza now because of all the traffic and all of the people who work here,” she said.

For more information on working at the Legacy Plaza, living in the future apartments, or visiting the district, click here.