PROSPECT PARK MIXED-USE PROJECT MOVES CLOSER TO GROUND BREAKING

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A large mixed-use project planned for the Prospect Park neighborhood is moving closer to breaking ground.

Located at 3350 University Avenue SE, The Wallis Prospect Park (formerly known as the Art & Architecture Building Development) recently went through the Minneapolis Planning Commission with a revised proposal that included more residential units and a few other changes.

The number of units rose by 48 going from 208 to 256. One of the biggest changes when it comes to the residential units is that for-sale condominiums are no longer planned to be a part of the project. Instead, all residential units within the project will be market-rate apartments.

Other changes to the project included a reduction in the building’s overall height from 162’ to 150’ along with a reduction in the amount of commercial space which went from 34,000 square feet down to 27,500 square feet. Last but not least, 30 parking spaces were also removed from the project for a final count of 237.

Vermillion Development is the developer behind the project that will include a 13-story tower and a shorter seven-story building. The high-rise building will be constructed entirely with post-tension concrete while the low-rise portion of the project will be a wood framed structure built atop a single level of post-tension concrete.

Designed by BKV Group, the exterior of the project will be clad in brick, metal panel, and fiber cement siding. The first floor will have a restaurant that will wrap the corner and be clad in glass, mimicking an existing building on the same block. An existing, three-story commercial building that is located roughly in the center of the project will remain and be repurposed and integrated with the new buildings.

Green space will be an impact factor of the development. The Wallis Prospect Park will be set back on the ground floor in order to provide green space and plazas along University Avenue. Located at the corner of University and Bedford will also be a small pocket park which will be set back in order to “create the gateway entrance envisioned by the neighborhood” according to city documents.

The Minneapolis Planning Commission approved plans for all of the requested changes for The Wallis Prospect Park at their February 10th meeting. Work on the project will be required to be complete by February 10th, 2022.