[4][5] The building was originally named after its first manager, Alice Wheeldon, and was renamed the Admiral Apartments in 1929.

[7] During the Great Depression, income in Nelson's trust account declined due in part to the trustee's (the bank) difficulty in collecting the mortgage payments from the owner of the apartments, which were also sold at a loss by the owners.

[7] Nelson sued the bank, claiming they mismanaged her trust account, but she lost the trial and on appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court.

[5] Starting in 2009, the apartments were completely renovated by Walsh Construction using a SERA Architects design.

[8][9] The remodeling was paid for by the Portland Development Commission and Oregon Housing and Community Services Department.