For people in Michigan, we’re used to city skylines changing. We’re used to seeing buildings go up only to be torn down decades later to become something new. And with space at a premium in most major cities, re-using existing space has become the new poster child for the motto: reduce, reuse, recycle.
But it’s not just businesses in Michigan that are getting in on this trend. It would seem our Midwest neighbors in Minnesota are getting in onboard too. According to city officials in Minneapolis, a historic 1900s style building, that once boasted First National Bank as one of its tenants, is now slated to become the site of new luxury apartments.
The project is said to be the first significant luxury apartment complex developed in Minneapolis’ central business district in nearly 25 years. Our own Michigan-based firm Village Green has signed on to help bring this multimillion dollar project to life.
According to the chairman and CEO for Village Green, the renovations on the building have already begun and will last approximately one year. When completed, the new commercial property will have 254 units, a three-story lobby featuring a floating glass staircase, outdoor dining and a year-round roof-top indoor/outdoor Sky Club and Sky Park for entertainment and recreation.
In approximately six months the new apartment owners will begin leasing units that will range from studios to penthouses.
It’s worth noting that it was important to the city to keep the original façade relatively untouched, some pointing out that the building was originally built for use by the railroad which was an essential part of Minnesota’s history.
Source: the Star Tribune, “Ground ‘broken’ for Soo Line apartments,” Janet Moore, Oct. 11, 2012
