Location: Davenport, IA
Square Footage: +2,100 square feet

After already owning and operating two successful restaurants in the Quad Cities, the Osborn family approached blocHaus with the intent of opening a third. Having grown up in Davenport, blocHaus’ founder and owner Nick Bowers was a frequent customer of the Osborn’s restaurants, and this relationship led to the creation of
Half Nelson.

Half Nelson is largely influenced by the culture of the Davenport area known as “Bucktown” in the early 20th century. In this space, Arts and Crafts movement millwork and finishes meets Art Deco lines and details. Half Nelson occupies one half of a building that originally functioned as a jobbing warehouse for the N.O. Nelson Manufacturing Company – thus the name “Half Nelson.”

The space features many custom elements, including handcrafted millwork archways, wood paneling, and picture lights illuminating original patent drawings from N.O. Nelson. These patents contributed to the success of midwestern industry and as a result allowed for the “high life” culture of Bucktown that inspires
this space.

The bar was influenced by the structural geometry and rhythm of the Arsenal Bridge, located just blocks away from Half Nelson. This can be seen in the geometric stone shapes created by diagonal walnut details, broken up by horizontal shelves.