Photo by Farm Kid Studios
From rooftop patios and floor-to-ceiling windows to pet-friendly units and layouts for every kind of buyer or renter, city living in Minneapolis and St. Paul just keeps getting hotter. The numbers speak for themselves: Minneapolis now has a downtown population of over 51,000 as of 2019—almost a 15 percent jump from 2017 and a 60 percent increase from 2006. Downtown St. Paul boasts a similar feat—its population more than doubled from 2010 to 2019. With this increase in residential demand have come beautiful, amenity-driven apartments and condominiums. Here’s what you have to look forward to if you are planning to buy or rent in Minneapolis or St. Paul.
Minneapolis (to buy)
A new addition to the North Loop, one of Minneapolis’ most chic neighborhoods, is TMBR, the city’s first sustainable luxury residence made out of mass timber. The stunning, environmentally friendly building features a green roof, a rooftop dog run and lounging area, an on-site caretaker, personal storage, and expansive views of downtown Minneapolis. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos start at $525,000 and soar upwards of nearly $4 million.
In the Mill District, buyers will find options like Humboldt Lofts, a seamless blend of old and new architecture between the Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theater. Exposed brick gives these condos a vintage feel, and 12-foot-tall ceilings and large windows make the units feel larger than they actually are, although some units do cover up to 4,000 square feet. Units range from $500,000 to $2 million.
Nearby, Stonebridge Lofts is just a short walk from Izzy’s Ice Cream and gives beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Maple hardwood floors and large windows sweeten the deal in these one- to three-bedroom condos. Units range from 969 to 2,947 square feet, and community amenities include a fitness area, a rooftop patio and a pool. Plus, the lobby doubles as an art gallery called the Mill Yard that features the work of local artists.
The luxurious Carlyle is the largest residential high-rise tower in Minneapolis at 39 stories. Choose either a downtown skyline or riverfront view and take advantage of the Carlyle’s amenities, including a fabulous pool deck with cabanas, a hot tub and fit pit, a 24/7 fitness center, and guest suites, which allow your friends and family to stay for only $100 per night. Recent sales for these one- to two-bedroom condos start at $385,900 and go up to $4.3 million.
One of the newest complexes in the Mill District is the 374-unit Legacy, which, despite its urban location, has lots of outdoor space, including a community patio and grilling area, an outdoor playground, and—for the colder months—a golf simulator and game room.
Nearer to the heart of downtown is Portland Tower. Residents here enjoy easy access to the Metro light rail and heated parking spots, which come in handy during the winter. On the south side of downtown, Ivy Residences offer condos that range from $250,000 to $2.4 million. The skyway-connected building also features the Ivy Spa and Salon and makes walking to a downtown office a breeze.
Just across the Mississippi River, Village Lofts at St. Anthony is only steps away from favorite restaurants and the beautiful walkways of St. Anthony Main. The 87-unit complex offers units from $200,000 to $800,000.
Photo by Farm Kid Studios
Minneapolis (for rent)
If you’d prefer to rent in Minneapolis, M on Hennepin in St. Anthony Main is less than one block from the Mississippi riverfront. Here, you’ll find luxe (and pet-friendly!) studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, plus penthouse homes. Most apartments include private balconies, and you also get community amenities like a library, a bike repair station, a yoga studio and even a pet-washing station for your furry friend. Located right across the street next to Father Hennepin Bluff Park, Mill & Main’s luxurious apartments offer 64 floor plans and include a few townhomes.
A new addition to the area is Rafter, a 283-unit apartment with just about every amenity you can think of. The 26-story building has unobstructed views of Northeast Minneapolis and the downtown skyline, and renters can choose from many layouts for studios, one- and two-bedroom units, and penthouses (with the smallest unit at 441 square feet and the largest penthouse at 2,288 square feet). Renters can use the workout studio co-designed with Alchemy 365. There’s also a “makers room” with work benches and tools, plus perks for work-from-homers, including private offices, a conference room, a hotspot printer and more.
Provided
Nic on Fifth is just off the Metro light rail (which makes for easy trips to St. Paul), and its central location makes for convenient walks to any downtown location. Studio apartments start at 563 square feet for $1,551 per month, and a three-bedroom, four-bath unit, with 2,791 square feet, goes for $9,315 per month. The 2-year-old 365 Nicollet gives renters a choice between darker or lighter floors and decor, although both are designed to maximize natural light throughout the suites.
In the Mill District, check out the Encore, where you can take in the Guthrie from the rooftop deck. Tenants can also while their time away in the spa with a hot tub and sauna, plus an indoor group fitness studio with access to an outdoor yoga space. In the Gateway District down the road, Latitude 45 sits on top of the upscale Eastside restaurant and directly connects to the skyway for easy walkability. Wine aficionados will want to check out the apartments equipped with wine bars and storage, and if you’re a dog parent, your pup will adore the heated rooftop dog oasis. A new addition to the neighborhood in 2019, Ironclad has cotemporary layouts, private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and even a hotel bar, thanks to its connection to Marriot Moxy Hotel.
St. Paul (to buy)
In St. Paul, you’ll see more historic charm than in Minneapolis, with exposed brick and ornate, 20th-century detailing, but you’ll also get the luxe amenities you want in an upscale condo. For example, the Great Northern Lofts in Lowertown are refurbished, but many incredible features remain from the original 1888 structure, including 11-foot-tall brick barrel-vault ceilings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and uniquely arched windows.
In downtown St. Paul, the Lowry building has been standing since 1896. Now, it is home to 135 loft-style condos. Most of the units are one- or two-bedroom condos, but the building also includes a few studio and three-bedroom options. Exposed ductwork, concrete floors and large windows give the historic space a modern, chic feel.
The condos in Park Towers can be found at the top of the 25-story Landmark Towers downtown. These spacious two- and three-bedroom homes are no fewer than 1,500 square feet, and some even surpass 4,000 square feet. Plus, the skyway connects Landmark Tower with the Saint Paul Hotel, where residents can enjoy a dinner at the St. Paul Grill, or make use of its concierge and valet services.
Located in the historic Ramsey Hill neighborhood, Western Row Condos offers 34 one- to three-bedroom condominiums in eight floor plans, with a prince range of $285,000 to $1 million. Residents will love exploring the coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques in this historic corner of the city.
St. Paul (for rent)
If you’re not quite ready to purchase a home, you can still rent in a beautiful apartment complex in St. Paul. Vintage on Selby, for example, is located right on the corner of Selby and Snelling avenues with 36 different floor plans, including the Hepburn penthouse, which has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms and rents for $7,000 per month. Besides private balconies and a gorgeous pool deck, renters will appreciate the Whole Foods on the first level, the Neighborhood Cafe across the street and Rose Street Patisserie located diagonally from the complex.
The Penfield in downtown St. Paul is above a Lunds & Byerlys and Caribou Coffee. From studios to three-bedroom units, apartments here are certified “green” by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and amenities include enclosed parking, a dog-washing station, bike storage, and a beautiful courtyard with an outdoor pool, sundeck and grilling stations.
333 on the Park in Lowertown has a similar feeling to the Penfield, with high-end finishes and extensive amenities in a recently converted historic building—plus 24 floor plans to choose from. Nearby, Lofts at Farmers Market offers studios and one- and two-bedroom units, and it boasts a Kingsley Excellence Award for overall resident satisfaction. Mears Park is just across the street from this gem, and in the summer, the farmers market is just steps away.
Even with so many options, rest assured that no matter where you choose to live, Minneapolis and St. Paul are ready for you. You’ll feel at home in no time.
