ST. PAUL | The Penfield | 375' | 33 fl | App

[Battsman]

http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/files/penfieldvert_115.jpg
http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/files/penfield_rendering_8_14_06_178.jpg

St. Paul gets a share of the condo boom as the second residential skyscraper moves in. This is a sharp looking project in downtown St. Paul with a view of either Minneapolis or St. Paul's skyline. Some units are multi story. I don't know what the prices are and couldn't find out. Visit http://www.thepenfield.com/home.asp and click Press and Photos to see some videos of the rendering. Apparently this skyscraper is also going green.

[cwilson758]

I quite like it.

[altfelix]

The Penfield is not under construction. We've heard little in the way of sales progress on this one since a supposed 'gangbusters' opening weekend back in the fall. I did visit the sales center in October and was surprised by a relatively large amount of traffic, and was quoted a figure in the 20% sold range.

[Battsman]

Is there anything between approved and under construction?

[altfelix]

I don't think there is any site prep going on at all. I drove by the site on Monday and noticed nothing, not even any equipment. The project will rehab the existing Public Safety Building, located on the south half of the block. It looks just like it has for more than a year...waiting.

[Unionstation13]

it reminds me of that kids movie spykids.
but either way its pretty cool.

[exit_320]

Very nice

[UWMilwaukeeJay]

sweet. keep us posted w/ construction photo's!

[Ian604]

Thats a nice tower!

[Double]

Does anybody have the latest inside scoop on this building?

[Skyking2]

This is one, fine-looking building folks! And I'll bet it doesn't get another building jammed right next to it, like the UCT and KT in Milwaukee.
Congrats on a damn good-looking building, St. Paul. (Look out, Mpls., your ugly twin sister is starting to strut her stuff. You go, St. Paul -- I've always liked your downtown better than your sister's to the west. It's more real).

[cmj2k2]

I'm not sure what the story is with this building, but there are 3 other high rise proposals I believe... check the Minneapolis development thread.

[Paule]

This is one, fine-looking building folks! And I'll bet it doesn't get another building jammed right next to it, like the UCT and KT in Milwaukee.
Congrats on a damn good-looking building, St. Paul. (Look out, Mpls., your ugly twin sister is starting to strut her stuff. You go, St. Paul -- I've always liked your downtown better than your sister's to the west. It's more real).

I just simply wish it would get built, even if another building is built right next to it! This is the best condo rendering I have seen in a long time! Probably since the UCT in Milwaukee.

[Avian001]

As far as I can determine, the developer is still planning on getting it built. Apparently a hotel has signed on, reducing the number of condo units. A good hotel here would likely cater to the politicos traveling to the state capitol across the freeway.

[Avian001]

BTW, this new sketch of the re-design, incorporating the newly-added Hyatt Hotel is on display at the sales office (photo by forumer CHAPINM1 at Minnescraper (http://www.minnescraper.com/forum/index.php)):

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5793/penfieldrevised01js8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Double]

I think this still looks like a solid design. If they're still doing sketches, maybe there is some hope this will break ground.

[cwilson758]

I like it!

[spectre000]

Been months since anyone has really posted any news about this project, but I've read on a realtor's condo blog that the developer (Alatus) has signed on Lunds and Byerly's to anchor this. Also, will be high end apartments. But probably converted to condos in the future. Hopefully more news will be coming in the near future. :banana:

[sicarim]

Been months since anyone has really posted any news about this project, but I've read on a realtor's condo blog that the developer (Alatus) has signed on Lunds and Byerly's to anchor this. Also, will be high end apartments. But probably converted to condos in the future. Hopefully more news will be coming in the near future. :banana:
I thought I read in the P.P. that this had recently been nixed by its developer.

[spectre000]

Pioneer Press and Star Tribune both are reporting the project has been approved today. They have not secured financing yet, but the articles report they hope to have groundbreaking on the Lunds store next fall.

It will be a mixed use project. 30,000 sq ft Lunds, 170 room Hyatt Place hotel, and 208 unit apartment tower.

[vgmLiquid]

^Yeah, Lunds officially signed a contract with the project so that part is a go and it seems the Hyatt signed on already...meaning they already filled the retail and hotel space.

There is really no reason at this point why they shouldn't be able to secure financing. Even in bad economic conditions business groups don't stop making good investments "just because." I think we may have ourselves a tower rising within the next year or so.

[spectre000]

The city council sounds like they are firmly behind getting this project going. They originally had about $3 million in tax breaks back in 2005 when Alatus laid claim in the land. I'm sure financing will not be a problem and more tax incentives will be handed out as well. It's wonderful to see a new tower rise in St. Paul.

[spectre000]

Some more news about this project, just keeps refusing to die. :)


From Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, April 10, 2009

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/04/06/daily57.html

State awards $3.8M to redevelop blighted property, create 400 jobs
St. Paul received $550,000 for the Penfield Development, a 2.1-acre site in downtown St. Paul that will contain a mixed-use project including apartments, a hotel and a grocery store. It’s expected to create 89 jobs.

[spectre000]

HUD just held an open house for the neighborhood to voice their support/concerns. It's being reduced to 11 stories, but will still be quite tall at 229 feet. 216 total apartments.

HUD is getting behind the mortgage for the constuction loan. Construction could begin January 1. Here's a new render. Sorry for the low quality, I took the picture with my cell phone. The render looks much better in person.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9567/penfield.jpg

[CorrND]

HUD just held an open house for the neighborhood to voice their support/concerns. It's being reduced to 11 stories, but will still be quite tall at 229 feet. 216 total apartments.

HUD is getting behind the mortgage for the constuction loan. Construction could begin January 1. Here's a new render. Sorry for the low quality, I took the picture with my cell phone. The render looks much better in person.
229' for 11 stories is like 20' per floor. That can't be right.

[spectre000]

229' for 11 stories is like 20' per floor. That can't be right.

The top floor is around 180-190 ft high. For something w/ 11 stories, thats not uncommon, especially with loft style apartments. Their's an added ornamental crown/roof that adds additional height to the building.