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.

Fishless Desert was born out of the efforts of J. Elliot Nelson who spent 20 years revitalizing a dilapidated corner of downtown Tulsa. In his career, he has completed over 30 historic rehabilitation projects and over $430mm of urban infill work consisting of multifamily, office, and retail developments. In 2022, Matt Newman joined the company adding his 17+ years’ experience in real estate development and construction management.

From spearheading a master planned, mixed-use development encompassing two full city blocks, to leading the complex financing and historical renovation of one of Tulsa’s most significant Art Deco high rises, Fishless Desert Development have developed or redeveloped some of the region’s foremost buildings and structures.