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Floor Plans: Creating a Sense of Community
Developer:
The Lander Group (www.dakotaonthepark.com)
Architect:
DJR Architects, Inc.
West River Commons, overlooking the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, is the kind of community that can come to life when you replace an abandoned, contaminated gas station with a visionary, mixed-use, people-friendly development in an established urban neighborhood.
Created by the Lander Group, West River Commons features 53 rental apartments; three for-sale townhouses; about 8,000 square feet of restaurants, offices and shops; an acclaimed public art project; and views of the Mississippi and the downtown Minneapolis skyline.
West River Commons is situated along popular Minneapolis’ popular Grand Round hiker/biker trail system. The public plaza and retail section of the development are at the foot of the bridge spanning the Mississippi River gorge between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Onsite bus service and nearby light rail offer quick and access to the University of Minnesota and the downtown Minneapolis business district.
Flexible, Townhome Living
The owner-occupied townhouses at West River Commons feature contemporary design ― clean finishes and open floor plans with three full levels of living in approximately 2,100 square feet.
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West River Commons townhouse floor plan | Flexible layout allows for a variety of living options on upper and lower levels. The fully finished lower level of the homes includes a full bath and offers the opportunity to create a comfortable guest suite and entertainment area.
Each home has a convenient street-front entry in addition to a rear entry accessing the individual garages. The townhouses are priced between $299,900 and $349,900. West River Commons also offers one- and two-bedroom and luxury apartments ranging from $900 to $1,750 a month.
Public Art, Public Energy
At the heart of the community’s public plaza is public art created by nationally-known Minneapolis artist Andrea Myklebust, who was brought into the project early in order to integrate art into the new community. The plaza serves as a gathering place for residents as well an outdoor seating area for West River Commons businesses.
West River Commons blends into the surrounding Longfellow neighborhood, characterized by its diverse residents, tree-lined streets, friendly community atmosphere and many locally-owned businesses, including coffee shops, restaurants, bars and clubs.
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West River Commons apartment lobby
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West River Commons site plan
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Reaching Out for Community Approval
The Lander Group held 24 public meetings with nearby residents and hosted an interactive Web site so neighbors could register ideas online and submit comments.
West River Commons won a Best in American Living (BALA) award in the Urban Smart Growth category. The Lander Group also was named one of two Freddie Mac Multifamily Development Firms of the Year award winners in the Pillars of the Industy competition.
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West River Commons streetscape
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Features and Specifications |
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West River Commons Townhouse Features:
- Three bedrooms/two and a half baths
- 10-foot ceilings and hardwood floor throughout main level
- Designer kitchen cabinetry with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances
- Designer baths with Jacuzzi tub and double sink in master
- Fully finished lower level with full bath
- Individual detached garages
- Private street-front entry
- Private yards
Community Features:
- Views of the Mississippi River and the downtown Minneapolis skyline
- Expansive outdoor plaza with commissioned artwork
- Proximity to freeways, bus routes and bike trails
- Within walking distance of great restaurants and many services, including a co-op grocery store, movie theater and bowling alley
Developed by: the Lander Group, Minneapolis
Designed by: DJR Architects, Inc., Minneapolis
Photos by Alex Steinberg Photography. |
 ‘Building Community’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Building Community: Live, Gather, Play,” available through BuilderBooks.com, shows you how to design a community that is sensitive to the environment, respects the neighbors, is financially successful and has the elements necessary to last generations.
“Building Community” is an indispensable core text for the study of community planning, residential and commercial architecture and landscape architecture. To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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