Carlson Island Apartments - Minnetonka

[mattaudio]

http://finance-commerce.com/2013/12/tra ... innetonka/

A subsidiary of Dallas-based developer Trammell Crow is working with Carlson Real Estate Co. on a planned five-story, 178-unit apartment building on a 12-acre island in what is known as the Lake at Carlson Center.

Read more: http://finance-commerce.com/2013/12/tra ... z2oP5lDoDL

[min-chi-cbus]

They called this project a "tower" on either the Strib or BizJournal, which is a stretch and a half!

[woofner]

This is such a strange location, I'm really curious to see how these are designed. The unit density of this development works out to be 14.8 units/acre, which is more typical for a townhouse development.

Too bad, because it's actually a pretty walkable & transitable area in theory, if despite its penury Minnetonka could spring for some sidewalks (and, I suppose, bridges).

[seanrichardryan]

I figured luxury airboats would whisk you to your door.

[Pip]

Wow.I have to see the renderings to believe this. I lived at the Gates at Carlson Center apartments across the street from the island last year so I know the area very well. I'm kind of sad to see the island go... at least from the undeveloped parcel it is now. I'm no developer but there seems to be a lot of logistic problems. First off, there are only two walkways connecting the island to the mainland now. I guess they will need either build a bridge or drop a bunch of dirt down to create a land bridge. Also, it seems like parking might be an issue. It would be nice if parking could be kept underground so they could keep as many trees as possible but I'm not sure how low they can go since it's an island. Anyway, I never would have guessed that island would be developed. I'm interested to see how this works out.

EDIT: I just found renderings on BizJournal. It's definitely an interesting design. I guess I expected it would take up more space on the island. I'm glad to see they are keeping many of the trees on the island. This will be interesting to watch.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... ge_gallery

[Anondson]

Move in and move out day will surely prove hellish.

[Didier]

I got married on that island.

[TommyT]

I work at Carlson Plaza (401 Carlson Parkway) and will be sad to lose that island while they build this place (if it happens). It's so nice to go out and walk that in the spring/summer/fall.

[Anondson]

The Minnetonka city website says the city approved this on May 5th.

[TommyT]

Is this off the ground? A friend of mine who works in Carlson plaza just posted a picture of something on his desk and I could see a building in the background on the island. I'm surprised no one has posted anything.

[lorwest]

I noticed it above the trees back in the Spring, but haven't seen any web presence anywhere. Stevens Construction out of Madison is the GC, and they have one pic of the bridge to the island.

http://www.stevensconstruction.com/proj ... apartments#

[grant1simons2]

[seanrichardryan]

Well look at that. Instead of something fitting to a unique site, they built one of them damn six story boxes.

[Archiapolis]

Well look at that. Instead of something fitting to a unique site, they built one of them damn six story boxes.

Ha! You know that these apartments are just profit centers right? They are products that are driven by the market...they aren't museums.

Architects can try and try but at the end of the day, these buildings will be constructed in a way that is on par with the rest of "the market."