MINNEAPOLIS (KFGO/WCCO) – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says downtown is adjusting to its “new normal” and starting the process of converting empty office and retail space into apartments.
Frey said the Northstar East building is under construction now, with more on the docket soon. He said not every building is a candidate, however, and the older buildings are actually best-suited to conversions.
“Specifically, it’s those that are built pre-World War II, where you can open the window, where the floor plate makes more sense,” Frey said. “Those are ripe for conversions. Whereas the IDS Center, Wells Fargo, etc., these are newer buildings. It just doesn’t make sense. People want to have fresh air, they want to be able to open the window.”
The Northstar, which opened in 1963, has recently been rebranded with a remodeled Hotel Indigo and new restaurant at street level, Star Bistro. They’re currently hoping for a 2024 opening of residences plus renovated office space.
Frey is also pushing downtown businesses to bring workers back to the office at least Tuesday through Thursday. He said the city has specifically crafted parking benefits, lunchtime events, and after-work entertainment to incentivize them.
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