1621 W 1st St, Cedar Falls: Prime Strip Center Opportunity at Iowa's Busiest Available Intersection

Jared Hottle
Jul 31
4 min read

Prime Strip Center Opportunity at Iowa's Busiest Available Intersection

Sometimes a property just gets everything right. And that's exactly what you'll find at 1621 W 1st Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa – a newly constructed strip center that sits pretty at one of the state's most strategic commercial intersections.

I've seen a lot of retail spaces over the years, and what makes this one special isn't just the location (though 15,000+ daily vehicles certainly doesn't hurt). It's the thoughtful design that actually works for business owners. Drive-thru capabilities, ample parking, and storefront windows that flood your space with natural light – all the details that separate successful retail from empty storefronts.

Whether you're launching your first location or expanding an existing concept, this Cedar Falls opportunity deserves a serious look. Here's why.

Location Highlights

Cedar Falls isn't just another college town – it's a thriving community of 40,737 residents anchored by the University of Northern Iowa. The city sits at the heart of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, creating a stable economic base that extends far beyond typical seasonal student fluctuations.

1621 W 1st Street commands the high-traffic intersection of First Street and Hudson Road – two of Cedar Falls' primary commercial arteries. First Street doubles as Highway 57, making this location accessible to both local residents and regional traffic patterns.

Major Roads and Access:

• W 1st Street/Highway 57 – Primary east-west commercial corridor

• Hudson Road – Key north-south connector

• Direct access to US Route 218 for regional connectivity

• Easy navigation from University of Northern Iowa campus

The location benefits from Cedar Falls' ongoing infrastructure investments, including recent Highway 57/W 1st Street reconstruction projects that have modernized traffic flow and enhanced accessibility. This area is a Prime Strip Center Opportunity at Iowa's Busiest Available Intersection

Property Overview

This isn't your typical strip center retrofit. The newly constructed facility at 1621 W 1st Street was designed with modern retail operations in mind, offering the flexibility and functionality that today's businesses actually need.

Key Property Specifications:

• Total Building Size: 4,530 square feet

• Available Space: 1,060 - 2,780 square feet

• Lease Rate: $40 per square foot annually

• Lot Size: 0.6 acres (26,048 square feet)

• Zoning: Commercial retail

Visibility and Access Features:

• Exceptional street visibility at major intersection

• Large storefront windows providing natural light and display opportunities

• Ample off-street parking to support customer convenience

• Drive-thru capability for businesses requiring this service model

• Move-in ready condition – no lengthy buildout delays

The property's corner positioning at First Street and Hudson Road ensures maximum exposure from multiple traffic directions, while the generous parking allocation addresses one of retail's most common operational challenges.

Development Potential

Here's where this property really shines: versatility. The space works equally well for retail concepts, service businesses, or food and beverage operations. And with suites available individually or combined for larger footprints, you can scale your space to match your specific operational needs

Ideal Use Cases:

• Quick Service Restaurants – Drive-thru capability and high visibility

• Retail Concepts – Excellent storefront presence and parking

• Service Businesses – Professional visibility with convenient access

• Coffee Shops/Cafés – Perfect for capturing commuter traffic

• Health and Wellness – Growing demand in university community

Traffic and Exposure Advantages:

The 15,000+ daily vehicle count at this intersection represents serious commercial potential. This isn't just pass-through traffic – it's a mix of:

• Local residents conducting daily business

• University community accessing campus and downtown

• Regional shoppers using Highway 57 for broader access

• Commuter patterns between Cedar Falls and Waterloo

• Rooftops of higher net worth households within the 1, 3 and 5 mile radius

Signage and Marketing Opportunities:

The corner location provides multiple signage exposures, while the intersection's controlled traffic patterns create extended viewing time for potential customers. The property's position across from established businesses also benefits from shared traffic generation.

Nearby Businesses and Anchors

Location matters, and 1621 W 1st Street benefits from strong co-tenancy and complementary businesses that drive consistent foot traffic to the area.

Immediate Area Anchors:

• Casey's General Store – Located directly across the street

• Subway – Adjacent quick-service establishment

Broader Commercial District:

The W 1st Street commercial corridor extends both east and west from this intersection, creating a concentrated retail and service environment that includes:

• Fleet Farm – Major retail anchor drawing regional customers

• University Ave – Traditional shopping centers and strip mall with anchor stores

• Downtown Cedar Falls – Historic shopping and dining district

• College Hill – Shopping and dining district near the University

This established commercial ecosystem creates sustained traffic patterns and customer familiarity with the area, reducing the marketing burden on new businesses while providing built-in cross-shopping opportunities.

Demographics

Understanding your customer base starts with understanding the community, and Cedar Falls delivers compelling demographics for retail and service businesses.