urbanMSP

It looks really good for a senior housing development, but I'm surprised this is happening at this location. I always assumed this would be a very desirable parcel for a developer to build something quite ambitious. My favorite aspect of the project is the first level with all the clear glass. Will look nice along the street. And hey, I can move in here in 30 years if I want!

Haven't heard anything on this one in a while, so I figured I'd give it a bump with the project website: http://lupedevelopment.com/mill-city-quarter/

Cool! Nice to see that this is still active, and is a little more fleshed out. I like the footprint of phase II shown with the old rail corridor thoroughfare. Pretty modern and cool use of materials for an old folks home. I hope I end up somewhere like this rather than http://urbanmsp.com/viewtopic.php?f=14& ... lit=senior

I've often found myself annoyed with the people that relentlessly complain about "more height" on this site. So at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I will say I really wish a tower would go up on this site. Something along the lines of a "Carlyle 2" would provide some much needed population density in this area.

I've often found myself annoyed with the people that relentlessly complain about "more height" on this site. So at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I will say I really wish a tower would go up on this site. Something along the lines of a "Carlyle 2" would provide some much needed population density in this area.

Agreed. It would be nice to break up the wall that is Riverwest.

It would be nice to break up the wall that is Riverwest.

Good point. I love height but it seems especially useful in this spot. That said, this is a really nice project that I support.

I've often found myself annoyed with the people that relentlessly complain about "more height" on this site. So at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I will say I really wish a tower would go up on this site. Something along the lines of a "Carlyle 2" would provide some much needed population density in this area.

Agreed. It would be nice to break up the wall that is Riverwest.

It might not do that from the river, but it will definitely do it from the street! It might almost completely hide Riverwest for pedestrians on Second! ha!

The potential mystery 20 something story tower a couple of blocks south might help from the river too.

I've often found myself annoyed with the people that relentlessly complain about "more height" on this site. So at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I will say I really wish a tower would go up on this site. Something along the lines of a "Carlyle 2" would provide some much needed population density in this area.

Much needed? With the River Towers, The Churchill, Rivergate, and The Carlyle housing a couple thousand people on 3 blocks, density is not this area's struggle.

This is the second most densely populated area in Minneapolis. And don't worry, a 4-5 story building fronting Second Street will easily do the trick of hiding Riverwest from view when you're on Second.

Updates: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/meetings/hpc/WCMS1P-112145

I know this is still preliminary, but the 14,000 square feet of retail space does not appear broken into smaller units. Perfect for a Trader Joe's...s'all I'm saying. Positioned at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 2nd Street, I think it would do very well. Then again, you could put Trader Joe's anywhere in this city and it would be successful.

I know this is still preliminary, but the 14,000 square feet of retail space does not appear broken into smaller units. Perfect for a Trader Joe's...s'all I'm saying. Positioned at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 2nd Street, I think it would do very well. Then again, you could put Trader Joe's anywhere in this city and it would be successful.

I'm thinking it may be a chain pharmacy such as Walgreens or CVS, considering the population that will live there. But a Trader Joe's would also be nice here (or maybe a little farther east towards the new stadium or Guthrie).

OK, that actually makes a lot more sense. The 14k sf just immediately rang a bell of Trader Joe's average store size. CVS or Walgreens would better meet the everyday needs of the area. Are there any drugstores at all in the immediate area?

EDIT: Google sez not a single pharmacy north of 8th Street. I think you could put one here and possibly another one in DTE near/in the Ryan project, once the area develops. They definitely need one up in the North Loop. Are there anything but bars, restaurants, and boutiques up there?

The updates on this have a DRASTICALLY altered exterior. If you missed clicking on the newest plans, I would recommend it. Almost all metal, with a Kasota stone base! Matches the neighborhood much better than the previous iterations.

Why does a new building built on a parking lot have to go before the Heritage Preservation Commission?

The Mill District is considered historic. There are a lot of criteria that buildings have to meet in the area- I don't remember its exact boundaries.

A weird example is that skyways are prohibited, so the Guthrie's is technically classified as a "production link." Its primary purpose is restricted to moving sets, equipment, and materials as opposed to foot traffic, per the function of a production link that would have been included in a milling complex. I don't remember why I know that.

It's in the Historic Mill District, essentially a neighborhood where all new buildings have to pay respect to the historic buildings in the area. Unfortunately it wasn't in place when they built some of it's neighbors I think this district is North of Washington between 3rd and 10th or 11th. All new buildings are height restricted and encouraged to use materials that may have been used on the historic buildings. We probably have that to thank for what looks like a good use of quality materials on this building.

Funny that people can get around just fine in a historic district without the skyways..

Funny that people can get around just fine in a historic district without the skyways..

Funny how it's mostly residential, and people don't have to wear their nice patent leather pumps between meetings to grab lunch if they don't want to... although the skyway walkers in the sketchers and pencil skirts do thrill me.

I only point it out because I would assume that most people living in the residential area (also, Loring Park) work downtown. Or if it's a dual earner household at least one does). So they clearly walk somewhere on the way to work in whatever they wear to work. Regardless, it's amusing because, even if Minneapolis is colder than other major cities without skyways, the things that make going outside uncomfortable or damaging to nice clothes/shoes exist there as well.

As for this project, I'm a little surprised that given the apparent lack of typical neighborhood amenities up here that the Phase II wouldn't have more retail space (unless I'm missing something?)