Luxury condominiums could soon rise near the heart of Uptown

If a local developer has their way a site that currently is a parking lot could soon be home to a new condominium building. Sam Black of the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal reported earlier today on the plans by developer Jim Graves.

The site is located at 3041 Holmes Avenue right near the intersection of Hennepin Avenue and 31st Street South. The site is located directly next to the building that houses Lucia's Restaurant and is currently a surface parking lot and a duplex. If you're unfamiliar with Lucia's Restaurant well, to be honest that needs to change immediately. They are certainly worth a visit.

If you still can't quite pin point the area we are talking about let's talk about what's around it. Think of the area where Paper Source, CB2, H&M, Apple ...you following us yet? The site is located on the block across from Calhoun Square down towards the end where Paper Source is. Basically on the very edge of the main retail corridor. If you still aren't sure there's a map at the bottom of this article.

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Above: Rendering of the 6 story condominum building proposed by development Jim Graves. (Graves Hospitality and Collage Architecture)

Jim Graves is president of Graves Hospitality. His company plans to develop a 6 story residential building that would include only 9 condominium units. The units are to be "very, very, VERY high end" according to Graves and average about 3,000 square feet. The first floor would also include a restaurant with an outdoor patio.

Collage Architects is responsible for the design of the building which features a very modern exterior clad in what appears to be light brick and possible copper accents. The structure would be around the same height as the Solhem residential building located right down the block.

Graves did note that there is a 25 percent chance that building could become rental units but regardless residential units would be developed on the site. Which makes complete sense because what person wouldn't want to live in this neighborhood?

The plans for the project are set to go before the East Calhoun Community Organization on June 15th. If the project does go before the Minneapolis Planning Commission this summer there is a chance construction could start in the fall.