REBUILDING, REIMAGINING, RENOVATING
Alumnus and UI supporter Mark Kaufman works to bring back a historic Coralville landmark.
For decades, Iowa River Power Restaurant stood as a cornerstone for the local dining scene. It hosted brunches for Hawkeye football coaches and recruits, upscale dinners for visiting faculty candidates, and date nights for students eager to impress. Now, more than a year and a half after its closure, a University of Iowa alumnus is leading the effort to revive the landmark building along a scenic bend of the Iowa River in Coralville. Mark Kaufman (86BS) purchased the property last fall, and the red-brick building is slated for historic renovations this year—with hopes of reopening by fall 2026.
Our History
The Iowa River Power building has a long and evolving story. Originally built in the 1840s during Iowa City’s early industrial growth, it began as a flour mill and later became a site for generating electricity by the late 1800s.
Over the years, it’s been shaped by fires, expansions, and changes in ownership, but remained a fixture in the community. In 1977, the building took on a new life as the Iowa River Power Company Restaurant, marking a shift from industry to hospitality.
Now, with fresh leadership and a renewed vision, there are plans to make use of the entire space, bringing new energy to the landmark while staying true to its historic roots.
Photo by Seth Diehl, Iowa Magazine
Photo by Seth Diehl, Iowa Magazine
Photo by Seth Diehl, Iowa Magazine
“I’m committed to doing it right, and making the building what it wants to be. You walk through it, you see the bones of it, and it’s just a such a cool, solid building with great history.”
-Mark Kaufman
Our Vision
As of this past spring, Kaufman was in discussions with a potential tenant—a restaurant group that will shape the menu and overall concept. The team has also brought on Dubuque-based companies Stickley Morton Architects, Gronen, and Heritage Works for design and renovations work and to pursue a historic preservation designation. Kaufman says it will be up to the new restaurant group on whether the Iowa River Power name will remain. But he hopes to preserve the character of the former restaurant while introducing a refreshed vision.
Photo by Seth Diehl, Iowa Magazine
University of Iowa Alum
Founder and executive chairman of Athletico Physical Therapy
UI Center for Advancement Board Member
Community Advocate and Philanthropist
Meet Mark
Mark Kaufman (86BS) is a proud University of Iowa alumnus and community advocate. While helping his parents move from his hometown of Olds, Iowa to Coralville, he found himself repeatedly drawn to the historic Iowa River Power building, remembering it fondly from his college days. “Within a few more trips up and down First Avenue, my inner voice said, ‘Why not you?’” recalls Kaufman, who serves on the UI Center for Advancement’s board of directors. Inspired to preserve the local landmark, he purchased the property in 2023 and assembled a development team that includes fellow Iowa alumnus Tom Beardsley (86BBA) and Tippie College of Business student Peyton Weber.
Kaufman is the founder and Executive Chairman of Athletico Physical Therapy, a company he launched in 1991 that has grown to over 900 locations across 24 states. Despite his business success, he remains focused on giving back. He has held leadership roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Rush University Medical Center, the Chicago Sports Commission, and the Illinois Physical Therapy Foundation, among others. He is also an Adjunct Associate for the University of Iowa Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.
Mark and his wife Mary Ann, whom he met at Iowa, have three daughters, all proud Hawkeye graduates.
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