30 story tower unveiled for Nye's site

The public gained a glimpse of what's planned for the site of Nye's Polonaise Room in Northeast and to be honest, we don't think anyone is let down at all.

Schafer Richardson is behind the new development that is proposed for the 112-116 East Hennepin Avenue block. It's not the simplest development as two buildings currently on site are designated and protected under the historic preservation acts. However a plan has been created in order to address those concerns along with being able to proceed with a new skyscraper.

Schafer Richardson has outlined plans for new a new luxury apartment tower that allows for the saving of the two historic buildings on site. The "Harness Shop" Building (1905) that currently sits almost in the middle of the site will be moved South on Hennepin so that it abuts directly next to a 1907 structure that currently sits on the corner of Lourdes and Hennepin Avenue. The remaining parking space and the site where the "Harness Shop" originally was will become the site for the new tower.

Photo provided by the City of Minneapolis

Plans for the site include a 302' 29 story building that will house 185 apartment units along with 9,000. There will be a 2 level underground garage that will house 66 parking stalls with additional 5 levels of parking including 174 parking stalls in the podium of the tower. The first floor of the new structure will include 6,500 square feet of retail along with a residential entrance on 2nd Street while the existing buildings on site will be renovated to provide an additional 2,500 square feet of retail space.

The tower itself will include luxury apartment units along with all the luxury amenities one heart's could desire. Amenities will located on the seventh and 29th floors of the building and will include a fitness center, indoor lap pool, grilling stations, game rooms, and more.

The Neighborhood Task Force approved the project at Tuesday nights presentation but that will not be the end of the approval process for the former Nye's tower. The project will now need to move through NIEBNA along with Heritage Planning Commission before it will go through the formal city approval process.

You'll be able to find a PROJECT PAGE regarding this development complete with site plans, floor plans, and more renderings by early next week right here at The Development Tracker | Minneapolis.