605 Magazine to mark official opening of new mixed-use historic renovation

April 23, 2025

A century-old building east of downtown officially celebrates its restoration today.

Built in 1913 at 726 E. Sixth St. and known as the Handley Building, it’s the new home of 605 Magazine and 605 Creative Co. on the main level, with four loft apartments above.

Alana and John Snyder purchased the 9,000-square-foot building from Terry Gloe, owner of Gloe Chiropractic, in early 2021.

Gloe, who still lives next door, had been approached by prospective buyers multiple times, “and he was super-protective, which I totally understand because he’d had it for a long time and the tenants upstairs had been there over 15 years, so we really had to build his trust that what we were going to do was going to fit what he believed in for the building,” Alana Snyder said.

Over time, the building had housed everything from a drugstore to a hardware store, an ice cream shop, a barber and even a branch library.

The Snyders saw it as the future home for their businesses.

They published their first issue of 605 Magazine in January 2009 and have grown the free publication to statewide distribution. There’s a four-person full-time team, including them, one part-time employee and a contracted delivery team.

They began working out of their house, then grew into an office at Cherapa Place and wanted more space.

“We also wanted a place to call home and take care of, and we wanted to stay in downtown Sioux Falls as best we could,” John Snyder said. “This place needed work, but the vision was there.”

They also quickly encountered the sort of unexpected challenges that can arise with a historic renovation, beginning with a structural integrity issue that required jacking up the entire second floor with structural beams so a main beam could be reset.

“We basically had to gut the whole building down to the studs in most cases,” John Snyder said.

They began by renovating the upstairs apartments so the building could begin generating revenue while they finished work on it downstairs.

John Snyder oversaw the project, which included all new electrical, plumbing, fixtures, appliances, furniture, drywall and paint, along with adding washers and dryers. They were able to save and refinish the original wood floors.

The layout is two studio and two one-bedroom apartments that are fully leased as short-term furnished rentals.

They’re branded 605 Lofts and leased through SoDak Stays.

“They’re very modern and South Dakota-themed with local art,” Alana said.

“Because it’s right by downtown, it’s pretty ideal for people, especially nurses coming to town that want to have that Sioux Falls experience.”

The lofts opened in September 2023 as construction shifted to the main floor.

“Our team helped us with so many of the building projects, and we couldn’t have done it without them,” Alana Snyder said. “They helped us move, build furniture and so much more. They literally put their sweat into it.”

The main floor is divided between 605 Magazine, which is designed with multiple shared offices, as well as space for the couple’s additional business, 605 Creative Co., a boutique photo, film and design agency. Eventually, the plan is to allow other creators to rent time there.

“If people want to come in, we can set up a podcast, they can take photos and utilize the space because it’s a really neat natural light photo studio,” Alana Snyder said.

The project also was supported by a $100,000 facade easement grant through the city of Sioux Falls.

“We would not have had the money to do it,” John Snyder said. “We skidded in on fumes to get the building done, and we wanted to do it right.”

Finishing touches have included local art, including a custom “605” mural, a Wild Bill Hickok mural in the bathroom and an installation from Steve Bormes.

“Really surrounding ourselves with South Dakota inspiration is what we’re all about, to get us pumped up about our jobs,” Alana Snyder said.

They’re now working out of the building, and “it’s amazing,” she said. “Just to go to work and be happy in your space is huge.”

A ribbon cutting will be held at 4:30 p.m. today.

The neighborhood also has responded positively, the couple said.

“It really, really has been awesome to see the neighbors come by and share their stories,” John Snyder said. “It really makes it worth it.”

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