With a robust development market in the Twin Cities, 46 properties were nominated this year for special awards. NAIOP, long known as the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, selected 10 projects as Awards of Excellence winners. Ryan Cos. US Inc. and Mortenson Construction served as the general contractors on multiple projects that won awards. The nominee properties were toured by 20 judges on June 18. The judges evaluated the buildings on project development, function and design, architectural integrity, market feasibility, sustainable attributes and unique project challenges. The winning properties, announced in September, are profiled here.
Patrick Mascia, co-chair of the financial institutions and real estate section at the Briggs and Morgan law firm, was selected for the President’s Award. It is NAIOP’s highest honor, and awarded based on an individual’s outstanding service to the commercial real estate industry’s economic or professional growth, community service and contributions to NAIOP.
Mascia’s real estate career in the Twin Cities has spanned nearly 25 years, beginning in 1991 as an associate at Briggs and Morgan. He became associate general counsel at Opus in 1997, and later joined Duke Realty as senior vice president
for Minneapolis-St. Paul operations in 2004. After 10 years at Duke, he returned to Briggs and Morgan as a shareholder and section co-chair, a position that leverages his experience in real estate investment, management and development.
Mascia’s NAIOP participation has been extensive. In every year of his membership, he has taken part in one or more volunteer groups. He served as the 2012 chapter president, as well as on the NAIOP board. He has worked as a leader on public policy, education, sponsorship and political action efforts.
At the Minnesota Legislature, Mascia has testified on the effects of commercial property tax rates on businesses. And he has mentored the next generation of NAIOP leaders through the organizat
ion’s leadership development program. Mascia’s community involvement includes his service as past president of the Creighton University national alumni board and current chair of the Minnesota District Council of the Urban Land Institute.
Category: Hospitality Location: 19 N. Eighth St., Minneapolis Owner: Summit Hotel Properties Inc. Developer: M.A. Mortenson Co. General Contractor: Mortenson Construction Architect: Elness Swenson Graham Architects Inc. Interior Designer: Design Force Corp. Size: 130,000 square feet
This nine-story building is the first ground-up hotel development to be constructed in downtown Minneapolis since the Great Recession. Located close to Target Field, Target Center and downtown theaters, the hotel has 211 guest rooms. Though it was new construction, the building’s architecture was designed to fit within the neighborhood, which includes older, distinctive structures. Just-in-time delivery methods were used during the construction of this project, which also featured off-site fabrication work. The design incorporates lobby, registration and dining areas that face the street sides on the first floor.
Category: Industrial, Build-to-Suit Location: 9600 Louisiana Ave. N., Brooklyn Park Owner: Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Developer: Ryan Cos. US Inc. General Contractor: Ryan Cos. US Inc. Architect: Ryan A+E Inc., RSP Architects Ltd. Interior Designer: RSP Architects Ltd. Size: 179,929 square feet
The two-level structure allowed Olympus to create one international surgical innovation center by consolidating five operations. Project construction was completed 12 months after Ryan was hired by Olympus. The facility features state-of-the-art technology for clean rooms and a global training center. During the planning phase, decisions were made about the building and site that would enable the location to accommodate an expansion of up to 100,000 square feet. Research, design and production operations are housed in the new facility, which emphasizes an open and collaborative layout that includes multiple huddle rooms.
Category: Industrial, Bulk Distribution Location: 41 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley Owner: Northern Stacks I LLC Developer: Hyde Development General Contractor: Mortenson Construction Architect: Mohagen Hansen Interior Designer: Mohagen Hansen Size: 213,000 square feet
This project involved the redevelopment of a former federal and state superfund site. Consequently, there was extensive coordination with regulators to get this site ready for construction. Ultimately, a bulk warehouse was built ahead of schedule. That occurred despite shortages of concrete, glass and steel. Kaufman Container and OnTrac were the first tenants to sign leases at this building, which is situated five miles from downtown Minneapolis. The building was designed to allow occupants to enjoy extensive natural light. The landscaping includes native plants and prairie restoration.
Category: Light Industrial, High Finish Location: 1225 Old Hwy. 8 NW, New Brighton Owner: Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Developer: Ryan Cos. US Inc. General Contractor: Ryan Cos. US Inc. Architect: Mohagen Hansen Interior Designer: Mohagen Hansen Size: 125,000 square feet
Category: Light Industrial, Low Finish Location: 1451 Dean Lakes Tr., Shakopee Owner: Bayer CropScience Developer: Ryan Cos. US Inc. General Contractor: Ryan Cos. US Inc. Architect: Mohagen Hansen Interior Designer: Nelson & Associates Size: 136,000 square feet
This project features a modern, open office design. Many employees transitioned from private offices to workstations. Bayer CropScience wanted a new building in less than 10 months, and Ryan completed the work ahead of schedule. The business wanted a collaborative environment to support its culture of innovation. The new space includes work areas for general office, research and production employees. There is daylight penetration in open areas. The facility was designed to support collaborative meetings and heads-down individual work, so it contains many enclaves as well as huddle rooms.
Category: Medical Office, Medical Location: 15450 Hwy. 7, Minnetonka Owner: MMB Medical Partners LLC Developer: The Davis Group General Contractor: Timco Construction Inc. Architect: bdh+young Interior Designer: bdh+young Size: 63,500 square feet
This project initially faced neighborhood opposition. Four residential and three commercial properties were acquired to create a large enough parcel for the project. The Davis Group worked with the city and neighbors to address concerns. What resulted is a medical center building with an exterior combination of stone, brick, metal and glass. The new building is enhanced by distinctive landscaping, rain gardens and high-quality signage. The project’s site on Highway 7 was chosen because of its visibility, access and proximity to western metro patients seeking care at an ambulatory medical hub.
Category: Multi-Family Apartments, Condos Location: 1215 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis Owner: Everwood Development Developer: Everwood Development General Contractor: Eagle Building Co. Architect: Kaas Wilson Architects Interior Designer: bdh+young Size: 239,829 square feet
This project involved two four-story apartment buildings on the historic Grain Belt Brewery site. The Grain Belt office building won the 2015 Historic Preservation Award. The building, which was restored, was home to Grain Belt’s accounting offices. Distinctive architectural features within this development are the original pub room and bank vaults, as well as a neon Grain Belt Beer sign. Occupants of the 150 luxury apartments have access to multiple amenities including two Wi-Fi cafés, a fitness center and an art gallery. This development is 99 percent occupied and located near key bus routes, bike trails and walking routes.
Category: Office, Build-to-Suit Location: 8111 Lyndale Ave., Bloomington Owner: Summit Hotel Properties Inc. Developer: Ryan Cos. US Inc. General Contractor: Ryan Cos. US Inc. Architect: Leo A Daly Interior Designer: Leo A Daly Size: 75,000 square feet
Toro’s operations and information services employees are housed in this new three-story building, which required rezoning and the consolidation of many residential parcels. Open office areas were placed along floor perimeters, and natural daylight is predominant in the large windows that were part of the design. The exterior features architectural metal panels and precast concrete. Expansive glass curtain-wall windows connect Toro employees to the landscape. Eight contractors were involved in working on the exterior wall system. Toro is now in the midst of a $15 million renovation of its product engineering and product development areas.
Category: Repositioned, Renovated Location: 600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Owner: Camelot LLC Developer: Camelot LLC General Contractor: Mortenson Construction Architect: RSP Architects Ltd., AECOM Interior Designer: RSP Architects Ltd., AECOM Size: 215,272 square feet
Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine is a primary anchor for this development, as are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx basketball teams headquarters and practice facility. The site, the former Block E space in downtown Minneapolis, also includes office and retail spaces. To make room for the installation of two full-size basketball courts, the third-floor movie theaters were demolished. The exterior design features a mix of materials—glass, stone, metal panels and a scrim. While many Block E businesses struggled over time, project developers of Mayo Clinic Square focused on opening up the building and improving the interior navigation for the public.
Category: Special Purpose Location: 1100 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis Owner: Washburn Center for Children Developer: Washburn Center for Children and partners General Contractor: Mortenson Construction Architect: DLR Group Interior Designer: Lawal Scott Erickson Size: 76,000 square feet
In the Harrison neighborhood in Minneapolis, Washburn Center for Children built a children’s mental health center that doubles the size of its previous building. The new facility was needed because Washburn has been seeing a dramatic increase in the number of children needing care. Washburn treats children dealing with anxiety, depression, learning difficulties and trauma. This project involved redeveloping a contaminated brownfield site, which was vacant for years. The project is a key part of the Basset Creek Redevelopment Plan. Designers of the project incorporated elements that are expected to reduce stress and anxiety and promote health and healing.
Ten NAIOP awards were given to distinctive projects this year at an awards ceremony in Minneapolis. However, 36 other projects were recognized as nominees. Here are the nominees by category:
Hospitality > Eddy’s Resort, Onamia
Industrial, Build-to-Suit > FedEx Ground Packaging Systems Inc., Rogers > Northcross Business Park, Perbix Machine Co. Inc., Brooklyn Park > TE Connectivity Sensor Solutions, Andover
Industrial, Bulk Distribution > Liberty Industrial Park at Diamond Lake, Building III, Rogers > North Star Distribution Center, Rogers > Red Rock Business Park, Maple Grove > Roseville 3075 Long Lake Road, Roseville
Light Industrial, High Finish > Interstate North Business Center II and III, Brooklyn Park
Light Industrial, Low Finish > 610 Commerce Center I, Brooklyn Park > Beacon Bluff, St. Paul > Highcrest Distribution Center, Roseville > Mendota Heights Industrial, Mendota Heights > Powers Pointe, Chanhassen
Medical Office, Medical > Fairview Ridges Specialty Center and Ramp, Burnsville > Plymouth City Center Medical Building, Plymouth
Multi-Family Apartments, Condos > Arcata, Golden Valley > Junction Flats, Minneapolis > The Nic on Fifth, Minneapolis > One Southdale Place, Edina > The Paxon, Minneapolis > Red 20, Minneapolis > Venue at Dinkytown, Minneapolis
Office, Build-to-Suit > Target Northern Campus, Brooklyn Park
Repositioned, Renovated > 505 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis > Capella Tower, Minneapolis > Crown Center: Bauhaus Brew Labs and the Shed, Minneapolis > The Fish Guys, St. Louis Park > Polaris Industries Inc., Plymouth > Rayette Lofts, St. Paul > RBC Plaza, Minneapolis > Schmidt Artist Lofts, St. Paul > Upsher-Smith West Office Expansion, Maple Grove > Valspar Applied Science and Technology Center, Phases I and II, Minneapolis
Special Purpose > LifeSource, Minneapolis > Wings Financial Credit Union, Woodbury