MINNEAPOLIS—Office markets across the US are burdened with obsolete structures that modern users disdain. But the city of Edina, a suburb just southwest of Minneapolis, saw an opportunity to transform one such site into much needed multifamily housing, and that vision will soon become reality.
The Opus Group, a Minneapolis-based firm, just started the demolition of an existing 94,000-square-foot building in Edina that was built in the 1960s and formerly leased to UnitedHealth Group. Opus will soon begin construction on a four-story, 244-unit multifamily development on the site. UHC left the campus for nearby Minnetonka, and Children's Hospitals & Clinics will continue to occupy a second building that UHC renovated.
“Our project will complete the revitalization of this office campus,” Phil Cattanach, director, real estate development, Opus Development Co., LLC, tells GlobeSt.com. “This is a very desirable municipality in which to live, but there has not been much in the way of new housing stock in the area.” The problem for developers has been “find a piece of real estate large enough to handle a project of this size.”
Edina residents enjoy great access to employment hubs, he adds, a great school system and a host of amenities. Furthermore, “there is a lot of pride in Edina; we've found that people born and raised there like to stay.”
The redevelopment will offer a variety of floor plans ranging from alcoves to 2-bedroom units with a den. Units will range from 585 square feet to 1,350 square feet with high-end finishes desirable to today's renters. Onsite amenities will include underground parking, a club room, an entertainment kitchen and a fitness center. The amenity spaces also include a covered walkway to a courtyard with an enclosed game room and entertainment space, as well as an extensive outdoor pool, bocce ball court and fire pit area.
In addition to onsite amenities, residents will have convenient access to the adjacent regional trail system the Three River Parks District is currently developing, local area employers and Highway 169.
Opus and its partner, Founders Properties, LLC, plan to complete the project ion by spring 2018. Opus Design Build, LLC is the design-builder and Opus AE Group, LLC is the architect and structural engineer of record.
MINNEAPOLIS—Office markets across the US are burdened with obsolete structures that modern users disdain. But the city of Edina, a suburb just southwest of Minneapolis, saw an opportunity to transform one such site into much needed multifamily housing, and that vision will soon become reality.
The Opus Group, a Minneapolis-based firm, just started the demolition of an existing 94,000-square-foot building in Edina that was built in the 1960s and formerly leased to
“Our project will complete the revitalization of this office campus,” Phil Cattanach, director, real estate development, Opus Development Co., LLC, tells GlobeSt.com. “This is a very desirable municipality in which to live, but there has not been much in the way of new housing stock in the area.” The problem for developers has been “find a piece of real estate large enough to handle a project of this size.”
Edina residents enjoy great access to employment hubs, he adds, a great school system and a host of amenities. Furthermore, “there is a lot of pride in Edina; we've found that people born and raised there like to stay.”
The redevelopment will offer a variety of floor plans ranging from alcoves to 2-bedroom units with a den. Units will range from 585 square feet to 1,350 square feet with high-end finishes desirable to today's renters. Onsite amenities will include underground parking, a club room, an entertainment kitchen and a fitness center. The amenity spaces also include a covered walkway to a courtyard with an enclosed game room and entertainment space, as well as an extensive outdoor pool, bocce ball court and fire pit area.
In addition to onsite amenities, residents will have convenient access to the adjacent regional trail system the Three River Parks District is currently developing, local area employers and Highway 169.
Opus and its partner, Founders Properties, LLC, plan to complete the project ion by spring 2018. Opus Design Build, LLC is the design-builder and Opus AE Group, LLC is the architect and structural engineer of record.
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Brian J. Rogal
Brian J. Rogal is a Chicago-based freelance writer with years of experience as an investigative reporter and editor, most notably at The Chicago Reporter, where he concentrated on housing issues. He also has written extensively on alternative energy and the payments card industry for national trade publications.
