urbanMSP

Without more renderings or detail, that looks like a fairly classy building at a scale the LH neighbors wanted in the small area plan. I'm sure they'll hate it.

-1

That design could really be cleaned up a bit. Two cornices? Juliet balconies? The scale of the entrance combined with the sloping site makes it look like the whole thing is sinking.

New thread for the proposed 3-story office structure. Full plans from CPC:
http://minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/pub ... 138554.pdf

I'm not sure if I glossed over it before, but the loss of the duplex for surface parking behind is a bummer. It's obviously tailored to the office workers given the layout. I'm not one to push for more city-owned parking, but I think Linden Hills could really benefit from a district parking ramp. Maybe build it on that huge surface lot serving the Church of St Thomas on 44th? As long as it doesn't eliminate re-using the old streetcar ROW (yes, I'm holding out hope for 20 years down the line), it seems like you could even gain some active street frontage out of the deal.

Ignoring the parking, this thing looks pretty sharp. The corner window will look right into the retail area, and it integrates fairly well (if a bit convoluted in the basement) with the patio.

The first two floors are beautiful and perfect infill for that corner. The third floor, for some reason, seems top heavy and a bit overbearing, taking away from the nice details and architecture of the lower levels. I realize it will have to stay to make the project work financially. I think it could somehow be downplayed a bit and made to feel lighter. If that happens it will look great.

I'm not sure if I glossed over it before, but the loss of the duplex for surface parking behind is a bummer. It's obviously tailored to the office workers given the layout. I'm not one to push for more city-owned parking, but I think Linden Hills could really benefit from a district parking ramp.

That duplex is kinda unique-looking. Too bad it's going to go away.

I wonder though how much parking crunch there really is. I assume most houses in the area have private parking and most of the older apartment buildings are closer to the lake. When I stop at Creative Kidstuff on my way somewhere else I don't think I've ever parked more than half a block away. Is this just a case of the developer not wanting to tell tenants to park on the street?

Pohlads propose to demolish condos to expand their yard.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... their.html

Linden Hills neighborhood committee won't oppose.

Which house is his again? The article doesn't state where this actually is beyond it being Linden Hills and I'm having a brain fart.

My Google Fu says 2528 W Lake of the Isles Parkway. Hard to get a clear shot of what they're trying to take down from Street View.

Here's the staff report: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 138539.pdf

One of the Pohlads lives on Lake of the Isles, the producer and director, Bill

This is Jims house on Lake Calhoun we're talking about

Boy that's a lot of $ for a tiny yard expansion. Perhaps it was the neighboring windows overlooking their modern glass box. That condo development is sort of interesting. From the 1940s, faux colonials built over underground parking. The entrance on Calhoun pkwy to the garage has some sort of dolomite that looks older than the structures themselves. Maybe a salvage.

Has this been discussed at all? http://www.42fiftyfivelofts.com/

Here's a photo from the other day:

Found the staff report on this one:
http://www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups ... 122105.pdf

Looks like this took out 4 dwellings (two SFH, 1 duplex) for a net of 3 2-bedroom units. You can see the plans in the PDF, they're all 3 1800 sq ft with 2 bedrooms and a den (plus the top level has a penthouse). The staff report also says they're all vacant, but who knows if that was because the developer bought them to leave them empty or they were empty to begin with.

My first instinct was to say this is a good example of small scale development, and even though the building itself isn't that big, it's certainly not doing much to increase the density of the area. But I'm not going to begrudge it either just because the units are over a million dollars.

I'm surprised 3 buildings could fit onto that lot! I like the design and infill, but like you said it's not true infill if it replaces more homes than it adds. Plus, although highly unlikely here, of all places, I'd like to see more affordable (market rate and below) housing options in this area. The biggest drawback of Linden Hills to my wife and I is the sheer dominance of the racial and cultural aspects of the preexisting population. Mix it up a little!

Class.. A.. NIMBY.. Here's how the Planning Committee meeting went for the 4353 Upton Ave building went.

https://youtu.be/eAorJamuGeU?t=40m17s

Thank you for the link.

Linden Hills people are too precious. Won't someone consider that person's property values????? She is going to be injured by a rooftop deck!

Class.. A.. NIMBY.. Here's how the Planning Committee meeting went for the 4353 Upton Ave building went.

https://youtu.be/eAorJamuGeU?t=40m17s

Allow me to translate.

"The view of the lake that I enjoy from the low/middle floor of my 6 floor building will be blocked by this 3 story building across the street. I also hate rooftop decks and any people potentially enjoying them where I can see it. Plus, I'm really uppity about living in Linden Hills. Thank you."

I like the part where she has to say that the building she lives in is three stories taller than the one she is opposed to.

My parents are Linden Hillers (and I grew up in Linden Hills) and they vocally supported ADUs, showed up to meetings in support, and wrote council members! They're not all NIMBYs! Just had to say it...