Nelson Worldwide used a vacant tenant building to design the premier Crest Ridge Spec Suites in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nelson Worldwide has enabled Larson Capital Management to establish a reputation within the Minneapolis suburban First Ring with the redevelopment of the Crest Ridge office building in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The award-winning architecture and design firm transformed a previously vacant single-tenant office building into a vibrant, amenity-filled multi-tenant office space that provides compelling incentives for city dwellers to move out of the core downtown area while remaining close to major transit routes. Nelson Worldwide’s thoughtful design, coupled with intense marketing efforts, generated a great deal of interest, resulting in the building’s occupancy reaching 90% before completion. Currently, the remaining 1 room is scheduled to move in in July 2023, and has achieved a 100% rental status.
The project was developed and completed in the shadow of pandemic-related construction delays and hard tenure deadlines. The ultimate goal at the start of the project was to transform what had previously existed as a single-tenant building into a highly functional and attractive multi-tenant facility. The solution had to deal with the existing interconnecting staircase, the unnecessary full cafeteria and dining area, and the vast adjoining area on the ground floor which currently lacks natural outside light. Nelson approached the project with adaptive reuse in mind to preserve some key architectural elements, speed up the renovation process, and limit waste in demolition.
Creative reuse of the existing staircase was key to the renovation, and code compliance and eviction were so critical that we were able to develop a retirement plan for the new tenants. The existing staircase was fitted to the code and acts as a vertical connector for the building, providing seamless access to the new facility across the four floors. At the base of the stairs, a new common entertainment space with an inviting takeaway lounge and fireplace was created to take full advantage of unobstructed views of the campus’s lush landscape with water, trees and access to nature trails. Directly adjacent to this common facility, areas with the greatest lack of natural light have been reimagined as workout rooms, fitness centers, locker rooms and bike storage. The redesigned space incorporates warm wood tones and curved elements. Shades of green dominate the color palette, creating a fresh and welcoming feel to the interior space.
Relocated to reflect the best of downtown multi-tenant space, Crest Ridge serves as a premier property to compete with neighboring West End neighborhoods. This redeveloped property offers great added value for the local and surrounding community. The renovation will help create additional vibrancy in the historically quiet Route 1 suburb, providing an attractive alternative for businesses wanting a Class A environment without the hustle and bustle associated with downtown skyscrapers.
