Waterford Bay, a four-story, 243-unit luxury multifamily development recently opened in St. Paul, Minn.
Designed by BKV Group, the riverfront property is one of first opportunity zone projects completed in the area. Developer Stoneleigh Companies prioritized the goal of engaging the adjacent Mississippi River through a mix of public and private spaces. The site includes public access to the river with a kayak/small boat launch, an extension to the regional bike/walking path trail system, and a portion of land dedicated to the city for park space on the riverfront.
The 295,000 sf property is a partial-wrap residential concept with a parking structure at its center and dwelling units enveloping it on three sides. Waterford Bay’s design evolved in response to site constraints, with a lower three-story facade along the river that transitions to four stories along Randolph Street and the adjacent Mississippi River inlet. The upper residential floors frame two second-level courtyards that are separated by an amenity pavilion, creating an E-shaped design that segments the pool from the green roof.
“Being an opportunity zone development has an inherent impact on the architecture and design approach given the program’s goal of transforming communities to spur long-term investment and growth,” said Jeremiah Smith, director of architecture and partner at BKV Group, in a news release. “Through our thoughtful selection of materials and intentional positioning of the building, whose angled design maximizes water and skyline views, we were able to integrate Waterford Bay into its natural surroundings. The goal was to offer a dynamic riverfront lifestyle to the community’s residents while catalyzing future investment along this stretch of the Mississippi River.”
Living spaces consist of micro-units, studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments—all offering high-end finishes including 9-foot ceilings, hardwood-style flooring, and modern kitchens with shaker-style cabinets, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. Outdoor amenities include a pool and landscaped deck with four-season porch, outdoor grilling stations, and fire pit lounges. Indoor amenities include an expansive fitness center and yoga studio, resident lounge, business center, rooftop clubroom with demonstration kitchen, secured bicycle and kayak storage, dog wash station, and indoor parking garage with electric car charging stations.
To ensure the project, which sits along the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, would support the ecology of the adjacent waterway, BKV Group worked with representatives from Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service during the entitlement process. BKV’s landscape architects used the required fire lane around the building to create a pair of bike paths surrounding the property.
Owner and/or developer: Stoneleigh Companies, LLC
Design architect: BKV Group
Architect of record: BKV Group
MEP engineer: BKV Group
Structural engineer: BKV Group
General contractor/construction manager: Benson-Orth General Contractors
Related Stories
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Apr 19, 2024
5 Reasons to Opt for Wood I-Joists in Multifamily Construction
From versatility to reliability and adaptability, engineered wood I-joists offer builders, designers and developers numerous advantages in multifamily construction. Discover the top five benefits and handy installation tips.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 18, 2024
Marquette Companies forms alliance with Orion Residential Advisors
Marquette Companies, a national leader in multifamily development, investment, and management, announces its strategic alliance with Deerfield, Ill.-based Orion Residential Advisors, an integrated multifamily investment and operating firm active in multiple markets nationwide.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Apr 16, 2024
Marvel-designed Gowanus Green will offer 955 affordable rental units in Brooklyn
The community consists of approximately 955 units of 100% affordable housing, 28,000 sf of neighborhood service retail and community space, a site for a new public school, and a new 1.5-acre public park.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 15, 2024
Two multifamily management firms merge together
MEB Management Services, a Phoenix-based multifamily management company, and Weller Management, a third-party property management and consulting company, officially merged to become Bryten Real Estate Partners—creating a nationally recognized management company.
Mixed-Use | Apr 13, 2024
Former industrial marina gets adaptive reuse treatment
At its core, adaptive reuse is an active reimagining of the built environment in ways that serve the communities who use it. Successful adaptive reuse uncovers the latent potential in a place and uses it to meet people’s present needs.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 12, 2024
Legal cannabis has cities grappling with odor complaints
Relaxed pot laws have led to a backlash of complaints linked to the odor emitted from smoking and vaping. To date, 24 states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana and several others have made it available for medicinal use.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 12, 2024
Habitat starts leasing Cassidy on Canal, a new luxury rental high-rise in Chicago
New 33-story Class A rental tower, designed by SCB, will offer 343 rental units.
MFPRO+ News | Apr 10, 2024
5 key design trends shaping tomorrow’s rental apartments
The multifamily landscape is ever-evolving as changing demographics, health concerns, and work patterns shape what tenants are looking for in their next home.
Mixed-Use | Apr 9, 2024
A surging master-planned community in Utah gets its own entertainment district
Since its construction began two decades ago, Daybreak, the 4,100-acre master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, has been a catalyst and model for regional growth. The latest addition is a 200-acre mixed-use entertainment district that will serve as a walkable and bikeable neighborhood within the community, anchored by a minor-league baseball park and a cinema/entertainment complex.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 9, 2024
March reports record gains in multifamily rent growth in 20 months
Asking rents for multifamily units increased $8 during the month to $1,721; year-over-year growth grew 30 basis points to 0.9 percent—a normal seasonal growth pattern according to Yardi Matrix.