Southdale Area - Edina

[min-chi-cbus]

Where the Titus building is, right? That's been discussed here before. It'll be in two phases, only the first phase is being planned/imminent -- it's roughly half the unit count (175-200 units).

[Anondson]

I misinterpreted the description of the luxury project then as on the Southdale block, not across the street.

[mister.shoes]

Took me a minute to reconcile that Titus line as well, but once I did I realized it was the project just across 66th. That article also gave a more firm timeframe on the hotel for that NE corner, saying that it will break ground "early next year."

[Anondson]

The 2nd Giordano's is having its grand opening today.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... ml?ana=twt

[Anondson]

Grand opening to the new Barnes and Noble concept bookstore/restaurant is tomorrow.

http://www.startribune.com/books-beer-a ... 403476436/

[matthew5080]

I drove by there the other day and it looks phenomenal from the outside, so I can't wait to actually be inside of it. The concept in general sounds good and hopefully it pays off for them.

[Anondson]

MplsStPaul magazine took a look at the B&N.

http://mspmag.com/shop-and-style/ali-sh ... nes-noble/

Audio section with lots of vinyl?

[matthew5080]

I ended up stopping by and the vinyl section was absolutely massive compared to most stores. Overall I thought the store looked great and it's extremely different from any Barnes and Noble in the area.

[LakeCharles]

Even larger than the downtown B&N? The vinyl area is pretty sizable there, though it is tucked all the way in the back.

[QuietBlue]

Ugh, the concrete makes it look like a warehouse in the pictures. Not what a bookstore should look like, IMO; he's right that the environment needs to be softened up. And iPads instead of a help desk? Unwise move in today's retail world -- it gives up a brick-and-mortar store's competitive advantage of having knowledgeable people in the store that can help customers.

But I like that they're bringing books and other media back to the forefront. That's what they should be focusing on rather than being a half-assed game store or Hot Topic-ish geek tchotchke store. As for the restaurant...I don't know. Withholding judgment on that for now.

[Anondson]

Name change to "The Avenue on France"?

City of Edina tweeted: "One of the biggest development projects in Edina history, the "Avenue on France," was given preliminary approval. http://ow.ly/YUq3307cohK"

https://twitter.com/EdinaMN/status/810940417361543173

[min-chi-cbus]

How is this one of the biggest development projects in the city's history? Is the Fred Richards/Pentagon Park redevelopment project in Edina as well? I thought much of it was. Maybe one of the 10 biggest projects.....maybe.

[Anondson]

I guess "one of ..." might include a yet large group. Maybe the Pentagon Park work is so stretched out over time based on demand makes it considered different?

[Anondson]

Coverage from a few days ago of Avenue on France.

http://current.mnsun.com/2016/12/23/the ... -approved/

Hypocrite alert for the resident at the 13-story condo across the street complaining about too much density from the proposed eight story building.

[sdho]

It's been open a while, but Giordano's cool glass space looks awesome at night. Should be a nice gateway to the new 66th.

[sdho]

Nah, Cake Residences was regional A.F.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... -cake.html

Wonder what's going on with that project.

[twincitizen]

Macy's is moving the Dayton's archives and the "Oval Room" high-end merch to Southdale. Makes sense as that is the oldest surving Daytons location. Southdale Macy's is way too big of a store for current demand, so I'm sure they have ample room for the archives.

http://www.startribune.com/downtown-mac ... 413088643/

[Anondson]

The developer that is proposing a redevelopment of a Hopkins apartment on Blake, their documents to the Hopkins zoning and planning said the SE corner of York/66th would begin work late March 2017.

[sdho]

The developer is proposing a redevelopment of a Hopkins apartment on Blake, their documents to the Hopkins zoning and planning said the SE corner of York/66th would begin work late March 2017.

I never want to trust a timeline till the building is done and opened. (See: Luxembourg Apartments.) But I hope that's true! Construction on the apartments will dovetail nicely with Richfield's new 66th St. (This segment should be nearly done by fall.)

[twincitizen]

Hmmm...KM2's packet for that Hopkins development also states that they are working on the 49th 1/2 development in Edina, even though Saturday Properties' proposal was chosen over theirs, way back in December. Yet KM2 left that reference in their Hopkins project narrative in February. This makes me skeptical that their March timeline for the "Cake" project is accurate.

I haven't seen any equipment at the old Best Buy site yet, though I suppose they still have 3 weeks of March left to get demo going...