It took the vision of the City of Hastings and their foresight to purchase and preserve this building for redevelopment, the development team with deep connections to the community, courage, grit and extended vision to see this come to fruition.”

Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau President Kristy Barse

It was the perseverance, the vision of this product that is going to be the jewel of our downtown. It took much patience, perseverance and actually, I think, a little crossing our fingers.”

Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender

The 100,000-square-foot former Hudson Manufacturing building at the foot of the Hastings bridge was acquired by the city in 2010.

The Confluence is one of three hotels in its “Heritage Collection.”

The Confluence
200 Second St. W
Hastings, mn 55033
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When Hastings Developer Pat Regan cut the ribbon Thursday afternoon to officially mark the opening of The Confluence, he immediately pumped a fist in the air in celebration, his smile showing satisfaction with a development well-done.

The Confluence, 200 Second St. W., is already iconic. The dream of Regan, the development team, builders and countless city officials that was launched in 2010 came true. The Confluence features an upscale hotel, bar and restaurant, apartments and commercial space occupied already by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of community members, business owners and city leaders were on hand for the occasion.

The 100,000-square-foot former Hudson Manufacturing building at the foot of the Hastings bridge was acquired by the city in 2010. The plan put forward by Confluence Development emerged about five years later as the best fit for the property. And fit it does – like a glove. The city and the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority partnered with Confluence Development to get the project up and running. The COVID pandemic affected project financing, delaying construction for a waiting community. Developers secured financing, and it was full steam ahead.

People who had opportunities for a sneak peak while construction was wrapping up in the last six months all shared the same message: “You’re going to be blown away.”

The hotel kept aspects of the historic building. Wood was repurposed. Original beams hold up open ceilings. Metal plates in the floor remain. It’s a one-of-a-kind place that was definitely worth the wait.

IDM Hospitality Management operates the facility, along with seven other hotels in the Midwest. The Confluence is one of three hotels in its “Heritage Collection.”

People gathered in the lobby prior to the ceremony, many checking out the Missi’s Sip and Savor bar and restaurant, while others marveled at the architecture and views of the Mississippi River.

Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau President Kristy Barse marked the occasion to kick off the ceremony as the crowd was relocated to the front of the building.

“I am absolutely thrilled to see so many community leaders in one spot to celebrate the grand opening of The Confluence Hotel and Missi’s Sip and Savor,” she said. “It took the vision of the City of Hastings and their foresight to purchase and preserve this building for redevelopment, the development team with deep connections to the community, courage, grit and extended vision to see this come to fruition.”

It's been termed as one of the bookends to the downtown area, and it’s drawing people already.

“We are already starting to see the effects in downtown Hastings,” said Barse. “We’re starting to see that trickle effect, which is exactly what I know that the development team was hoping for.”

Mayor Mary Fasbender said the official opening of The Confluence brought her tears of joy.

“It’s so emotional for me to be the mayor of a community that always comes together,” she said. “It was the perseverance, the vision of this product that is going to be the jewel of our downtown. It took much patience, perseverance and actually, I think, a little crossing our fingers.”

She credited Regan for the project success.

“May we just say a big thank you to Pat Regan and his team for the vision for this beautiful restored property in our community,” said Fasbender.

Mike Mattingly of Confluence Development had a long list of “thank yous” to tend to in his remarks, including city officials, public agencies, and construction companies. He finished with appreciation for the work of IDM’s staff in Hastings.

“They’ve been a huge instrumental help in getting this up and running,” he said. “We’re super excited to have them involved and really proud of that connection.”

His hopes are that the development spurs more growth downtown.

“One of the things I want to drive home, especially as we stand here on this side of the bridge, is that we view this building and this development as an anchor to the downtown and integral part of the downtown community and the City of Hastings. I think it’s imperative that our vision here is to use this in order to building the entire downtown area and as a catalyst for where we can allow everybody to grow the pie and allow this to be a positive for the entire community,” said Mattingly.

Following the ceremony, the crowd was invited upstairs to view historic photos of the site and to tour the facility. Champagne toasts were held in the hotel event center.

It was a celebration worthy of The Confluence.