Latitude 45 - 301 Washington Avenue South

[Konante]

The L-shape balconies wrapping around the corners are underrated. Also like the funky rooftop structure and light pole. Good updates!

[Nathan]

I love the render. But when are we going to see some more curves or diagonal line use in this city? It's a lot of just horizontals and vertical. And everything is so symmetric!

$$$ curves and angles cost a lot of money and right now demand is so high developers don't have to compete with each other over renters.

[John]

No curves on this project, but Alatus is spending some $$$ to make this a high quality project. It's evident in the rendering.

[Konante]

I drove by this lot on Saturday and saw a big sign on the booth saying the lot was now closed. Most (if not all) of the entrances/exits were blocked off, too.

[Minneboy]

Cool Maybe soon!

[John]

I'm excited for this one! It's being constructed on one of the worst and most depressing vacant parcels downtown. The street level will have multiple retail frontage with wide sidewalks and a grand entrance to the complex. The exterior facade is richly detailed and uses good materials. The massing has been refined to make it less boxy. The architecture acknowledges the intersection and acts like a gateway into Washington Ave eastward and The Mill District. Kudos to the developer Alatus for having some sensitivity and concern for building something that contributes to the community.

[uptowncarag]

I love this one also. It would seem that Washington doesn't have the entertainment venues that Hennepin Avenue has but Washington may end up being more prominant.

[JMS9]

Love driving down Washington. It's what Hennepin should be.

[Nathan]

Love driving down Washington. It's what Hennepin should be.

Huh? not in this area...

[Silophant]

According to this article, this project will be called Latitude 45, and Doran will be the contractor. Latitude 45 is actually a pretty cool name for a building in the Twin Cities, though it really should have gone to a building on Broadway.

[grant1simons2]

I like that 16twenty building. Looks like something really relaxed to live in. Not huge, but not a house.

[mullen]

i actually like this, good infil. nice to see this parcel become something.

[go4guy]

BizJournal states the project is expected to break ground by the end of the month. Finish up in 2015.

[OrionDay]

As much as I'm exited to see these blocks get developed I'm apprehensive as to the reason they're being developed the way that they are. Full block developments in short stature are terrible for future development, regardless of being new development or not. Look at the core of downtown. The only way to build there now, is to tear down a building that already exists, for the most part. DTE is getting a boost from the stadium no doubt, but downtown as a whole has limited space. Build higher on a smaller footprint, and you gain availability for future investment if not speculation. Build a 9 story block and its locked down for a generation. In the mean time, green space could be added that would attract said speculation and lead to further development. Besides, you must build higher on the periferi if you want to maintain the hat like structure of the skyline, because it drives taller development to the center. There is a reason why one third of downtown Minni was razed in the late 50s and early 60s. This is it.

[MNdible]

There is a reason why one third of downtown Minni was razed in the late 50s and early 60s. This is it.

I don't think history agrees with this argument. There were a lot of reasons that the Gateway was redeveloped, some good and some bad, but running out of space was not one of them.

[seanrichardryan]

Alatus also bought the two properties on 3rd Street from the family. Looks like this monolith will grow to 3/4 of a city block. egh.

http://finance-commerce.com/2014/02/ala ... titude-45/

[mplser]

I disagree about using green space as a placeholder for development. The BANANAs would go crazy once a plan actually surfaces "they're taking away all of our parks! they're evil!"

[mattaudio]

Huh? More surface area developed = sooner to gateway ramp redevelopment.

[go4guy]

Aren't those the two properties where the potential hotel is rumored to go? Or am I thinking of the wrong block/development?

[spearson]

I would imagine so. There is currently a bail bonds place, and an empty pressbox bar and grill (which has been empty for as long as I've worked downtown, which is 8 years).

For the record, I think this would be a terrible place for a hotel. Just go to street view and look at the sidewalk presence that would greet you. Parking ramp, parking ramp, back side of federal building (parking ramp). Then surrounded by all government buildings. There is absolutely nothing over here post 5pm save for the few places on the other side of the gateway ramp, and the pizza place in the hoff ramp.