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Who We Are

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Fishless Desert Development is a multidisciplinary real estate company. We specialize in urban infill and revitalization efforts in Oklahoma and the south-central United States. Our mission is to make American cities better one development at a time by sensible design and focusing on neighborhoods in need of redevelopment.

Who We Are

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Elliot Nelson

CEO

Elliot is the founder and CEO of McNellie’s Group, a hospitality focused company with a collection of 24 restaurants that pioneered downtown revitalization in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Little Rock. His restaurant concepts have served over 10,000,000 people in the last 19 years. As principal of Fishless Desert Development, Elliot has spearheaded the Santa Fe Square development in downtown Tulsa which encompasses over 183,000 sf of office & commercial space, 184 unit apartments, 93 room hotel, and 700 space parking garage.

Placeholder portrait of Matt Newman

Matt Newman

Vice President of Development

Matt is head of real estate development and investments at Fishless Desert Development. With over 18 years in the real estate and construction industries, he has been the lead on more than $200,000,000 in land development, historic renovation, and infill construction in the Tulsa market. Matt specializes in mixed-use commercial development often requiring zoning use changes and complex capital stacks including local, state, and federal tax credits and incentives.

Annie Hull

Annie Hull

Project Manager

Allison Matzinger

Allison Matzinger

Project Manager

What We Build

  • Ground-Up Construction

    Commercial developments delivered from cleared site to finished, certificate-ready structure.

  • Restaurant & Hospitality

    Purpose-built dining, bar, and hotel spaces - from concept drawings to opening day.

  • Historic Renovation

    Preserving the character and integrity of landmark buildings while modernizing their function.

  • Master Development Planning

    Vision becomes roadmap. Comprehensive, long-term blueprints that guide physical, social, and economic community growth.

  • Historic Tax Credit Consulting

    Expert navigation of the historic tax credit process - from initial eligibility assessment through final certification - turning a complex regulatory landscape into a meaningful financial advantage.

  • Industrial Development

    Functional sites and durable spaces built for the demands of industry.