Cale Feller has lived in The Crane Centre in downtown Sioux Falls for five years, and moved into his current two bedroom three years ago for more space and a better view of 8th & Railroad.
“I’ve always loved the downtown vibe and aesthetic, and I love the character of a lot of the buildings that are loft-style homes,” he said. “This one in particular has some of the best themes.”
The Crane Centre’s design is known for exposed beams, ceilings, and ductwork, with polished concrete flooring and nickel hardware and lighting.
Feller, who is in communications and public relations for Avera Health, has made the more-than 1,000-square-foot loft into a colorful, unique space that’s perfect for lounging around or for hosting his next get together.
THE KITCHEN
The kitchen is right next to the entrance, and the open floor plan leads to the dining space and living room. The first thing you notice are the pops of color and the mix of patterns in furniture, rugs, and artwork.
“There’s a little overall quirk to my aesthetic,” said Feller with a smile. “I wouldn’t say it falls into any certain genre. I think for me overall, when I’m putting my space together, it’s finding things that make me happy or mean something to me.”
There are several things in the kitchen that tell a story, including a fan on top of the maple cabinets.
“The fan up there was in my grandpa’s workshop for many, many years,” he said.
“When I see something, I usually notice something and realize it could look cool somewhere, not going out with the intention of trying to find something.”
As an avid cook, there is one of several gifts from his aunt hanging from the oven.
“My aunt hand-screen printed this towel, and she doesn’t live here, so it’s a nice reminder,” he said. “I love to cook, so my kitchen gets used a lot.”
One of the most meaningful sections is a collection of Feller’s grandmother’s recipes on pieces like a clipboard and cutting board.
“That’s actually my grandma’s handwriting,” he said. “She passed away 15 years ago, and I cooked with her a lot, so it’s nice to have that sentimental piece.”
The handwritten recipes are for dessert bars.
There is also one of a couple photos from trips to Hawaii in the kitchen, which looks beautiful, but the story behind it is not.
“That’s Electric Beach in Honolulu. It’s such a gorgeous photo, but it was a terrifying experience,” said Feller. “I’ve never really snorkeled in my life, and it was really, really rough that day. We heard a day later there was a shark attack near there 24 hours prior.”
DINING
In Feller’s “urban dwelling” there is a small space for a table, which his narrow wooden dining set fits perfectly.
“The table is custom. My sister and brother-in-law within the last couple of years have gotten into woodworking, and they had some slabs of wood and had one that didn’t work for them, and it was exactly what I wanted,” he said.
Feller added the legs and found chairs to complete the project.
“That knot in the table actually goes all the way through so you can see light through it,” he said.
He also made the light fixture after researching the process.
“I saw the project online and loved it, and I made it myself,” he said. “That was another thing I wanted to customize in my space was lighting.”
Feller also got creative and placed décor on the exposed beams with things that make him happy, like a South Dakota cheese board and faux taxidermy.
“Seasonally I’ll have different banners and items up there,” he said.
On the beam leading into the living room is a colorful boomerang.
“I’m a major, major bargain hunter, so most of this I got dirt cheap.”
“We had a white elephant party with friends around Christmas, and a former coworker of mine is super quirky and that year she brought me a few things,” he continued. “[The boomerang] was in its original packaging from the ‘70s and I didn’t want to give it away, so I decided to keep it.”
THE CRANE CENTRE HISTORY
- Originally constructed as a two-story building in 1910-1911 for the Plumbing Supply Company
- In 1920s it was taken over by The Crane Company
- Between 1924 and 1926 the third and fourth floors were added
- In 1969, The Crane Company changed its name to Crane and Ordway Company
- Both The Crane Centre and The Frank Building were purchased in 2011 by 8th & Railroad Center, LLC
- The structure now accommodates several businesses and 18 loft apartments
LIVING ROOM
A lot of mixed patterns are in the living room, with faux cowhide chairs, the statement rug, throw pillows, and a palm leaf tapestry.
The large tapestry is from Amazon.
“There’s a lot of patterns, and I’m sure it gives some people anxiety,” he laughed. “I like playing with different patterns and combining them. It’s not necessarily something you think of, and I like to play off of that and challenge that. It’s interesting how things can work out, or at least they do in my mind.”
There is plenty of seating with two chairs and a large couch, which is ideal for hosting.
“I have friends over quite a bit,” said Feller. “It’s perfect in the summer for block parties, Downtown Riverfest, or the 605 Summer Classic to come over before we go out.”
Walking to the center of the room, he explained there are a lot of pieces that are special to him.
He pointed to the coffee table, “This trunk was actually what my grandma stored her wedding dress in.”
Marbles on the side table were Feller’s grandparents’, and he keeps them there “as a reminder.”
A variety of plants are around the loft to add more life (though many aren’t real) and pops of green. Greens, greys, and yellows are Feller’s favorite colors.
“Those are colors I gravitate toward,” he said. “I feel there’s still a bit of masculinity in it, but also very styled. They play quite well together, and I’m not afraid of color.”
MASTER BEDROOM
Down the short hallway is the bathroom, the master bedroom, and the guest bedroom. We entered the impressively spacious master that has a walk-in closet.
Feller’s loft has been featured in the Downtown Loft Tour.
An antique can is used as a side table from the Four Seasons Flea Market in Madison. Sitting on the table are more tiny details that are important to Feller.
“The dice were my grandpa’s,” he said.
On the wall is another gift from his aunt (who he said is so close in age he almost considers her a sister).
“It’s a bed spring that she cut into pieces,” he said. “They’ve been a couple of colors, so it changes depending on what style I have going on.”
The dresser was originally from his grandparents’ home and has been passed down several generations.
“I have an addiction with throw pillows and blankets.”
“It was a funky wood color, and many years ago we painted in black and gave it a new life,” he explained. “I loved that it was something my grandma had used and that my mom had growing up.”
The art above the master bed is from a local artist Idali Hall, who displays at Rehfeld’s.
“She did those custom for me,” said Feller.
GUEST BEDROOM
It’s no surprise that the guest bed itself is a statement full of colors and designs, including banana printed pillow cases. The bed itself is from the Novogratz Collection.
“If there was any sort of style that mine has evolved into I would say it’s theirs,” said Feller. “I like that their pieces tell a story.”
Feller ordered a full bed and a queen arrived. He said he decided to keep it, even though it took up a lot of space in the smaller room.
“This room was more of a challenge,” said Feller. “There isn’t a ton of space, but it works for what it is.”
“I have a lot of plants and many of them aren’t real.”
On the dresser is more color with a Rubik’s Cube and more memorabilia from his grandparents.
“My grandma gave me that [ship in the bottle] after a trip to Lake Michigan,” he said.
A very unique light is in the corner that was made with an antique (also from Four Seasons Flea Market).
“That’s a vent from the top of a building,” he said. “I thought it would be a neat lamp, and my brother’s an electrician, so we turned it into one.”
There is also a small office nook and a chair for reading or resting. These small spaces are great for overnight guests.
“I have guests quite a bit,” he said. “There are a lot of family and friends who come to town.”
With downtown growing and expanding every year, Feller says he doesn’t see himself going anywhere anytime soon.
“Downtown has that great vibe, and this building has so much personality and character that you’ll never find in new construction, and especially out in suburbia. That really speaks to me.”
For more information, visit thecranecentre.com.
