urbanMSP

Hate to agree, but BKV is not at the top of my list for good design. More like the mother who tries to make exciting meals with cheap ingredients. Just does not make me want to try them again.

From the PP article:

The purchase, which would close in July, is the latest evidence that the private market is feeling optimistic about development opportunities in downtown St. Paul.

Anyone know if that has happened, or will happen this week?

Haven't heard anything yet either. Makes me a bit nervous, but these things always take longer than expected, right?

Haven't heard anything yet either. Makes me a bit nervous, but these things always take longer than expected, right?

Your dealing with a government body. Things are always slow when it come to them.

Done deal.

"The former U.S. Post Office on Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul was sold Friday to a local development group, which plans to turn the Art Deco building into market-rate apartments."

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_2 ... use-market

This is going to be called Custom House. I guess time for a thread name change?
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/b ... cle_search

Is anyone else kind of surprised this is actually happening? I mean, granted there isn't a lot of development going on in downtown St. Paul, and I think there is definitely pent-up demand, but this just seems like the kind of thing that would fall through or be financially unfeasible. They're not even sure what they're going to do with the lower floors of the building yet.

Just curious, why do you say that?

It's a large building next to the river in a hot neighborhood. I've not been inside beyond using the old Post Office on the first floor, but from what I can tell there aren't exactly a lot of interior walls that need demolition. I could be wrong on this, but it always looks like there are vast amounts of space, which would make renovation that much easier.

Not to mention, the developer only paid like five million for this thing. Even if the renovation costs 50M, that's a pretty solid investment for a nearly 300 unit building. Nic on 5th, Soo Line, and LPM all cost far, far more than that.

This might be more like the Soo Line renovation in Minneapolis - meeting a high demand for buildings with "history" and details. The big question is - is there asbestos?

Are they allowed to make any changes to the exterior? For example, could they increase the size (height) of the windows - perhaps floor to ceiling windows? And what about the newer structure that is closer to the river - would they be allowed add windows to the corners of that building?

I don't think the building has any historic designation at this point, so the new owners will probably be free to make whatever changes they want (unless they want to get historic designation for whatever reason). Regardless, the part closer to the river is an addition and may fall somewhat outside the restrictions a historic listing would put on the building.

I'd bet dollars to donuts that the financing of this project is predicated on receiving historical tax credits.

In case anyone was wondering where the name "Custom House" came from, this is right by the main entrance:

Article on the developer:

http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_2 ... ost-office

There's now a banner up at the top of the base facing Kellogg & Jackson, indicating Residential, Hotel, Retail & Office. I don't recall seeing mention of a hotel before.

And there's the beginnings of a website: http://customhousestpaul.com

I received this in an email today, detailing the planned development of the post office into the Custom House. Apartments, a hotel, and parking are planned, with plenty of space still available for lease. This promotional piece looks impressive, and I look forward to seeing this landmark building transformed over the next 2 years.

I uploaded to flickr; hopefully you can read it.


CustomHouse_1 by bptenor, on Flickr


CustomHouse_2 by bptenor, on Flickr


CustomHouse_3 by bptenor, on Flickr

Awesome Info, Thanks!

Shout out to this project during Obama's speech at Union Depot today.

Went to the States Historic Registrar vote Tuesday, and got accepted, except not all the members were there so it may have to wait until the next meeting...