Once used for John Deere tractor manufacturing, this unique, historic building located at 250 Westfield Ave, offers large rooms with soaring ceilings and other interesting features from the building’s original use.
$43 million was invested in repurposing and renovating this former manufacturing facility into a modern and functional 166-room hotel that includes an upper-level swimming pool, large workout facility and conference space. During the renovation, floors were raised above the original manufacturing floor to allow hotel guests to take advantage of the picturesque views outside the now-restored windows. One floor of the building is still used by John Deere as a conference and training center.
The hotel’s opening in 2018 coincided with John Deere’s 100th anniversary in Waterloo. The 180-year-old Moline, Ill.-based company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co., makers of the “Waterloo Boy” two-cylinder tractor, on March 14, 1918, for $2.3 million. The company operated in the approximate location of the Courtyard by Marriott today.
