The Loring Park Office Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota was recently redeveloped into multi-family housing. Over the past few decades, the surrounding neighborhood had become nearly all residential and the building itself had become functionally obsolete with nearly 50 percent vacancy over the 10 years prior to redevelopment.
Braun Intertec was selected as the environmental consultant on the project and completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to determine the extent of contamination at the site. Environmental due diligence activities identified several environmental hurdles. The most notable finding was the daunting amount of asbestos and lead paint abatement that was needed to complete the project, including more than 85,000 square feet of floor tile and mastic, and more than 63,000 square feet of drop in ceiling tiles. Lead-based paint was found on 247 windows, and a large 12 to 14-inch production well, 300 feet in depth, was discovered in the basement of the building.
The project was awarded $845,300 to help offset costs for hazardous materials abatement. The project was also granted a historic designation and was listed as a National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. Braun Intertec prepared a hazardous materials abatement specification that outlined procedures for the removal of asbestos and removal/encapsulation of lead-based paint. The removal procedures were developed in a manner that also met the requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office.
The 430 Oak Grove apartments opened their doors with 75 apartment units, including 55 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom units, totaling approximately 60,500-square-feet of residential space. The units were finished with high-end kitchen and bath packages, and the second floor units were designed to have lofted bedrooms to take advantage of the 16 foot high ceilings and enormous windows. The new design included a luxury rooftop patio overlooking downtown Minneapolis and Loring Park, equipped with gas burning grills, a fire pit, tables and lounge chairs. The first floor has a fitness room, spa, and yoga center for tenants’ relaxation and rejuvenation, and the basement was converted into underground parking and bicycle storage.
In 2013, 430 Oak Grove won a Top Project Award from Finance and Commerce.
