A Developer's Vision

The corner of Penn and Lowry was once an important retail area for north Minneapolis. Over the years this site lost many of its retail businesses and eventually became a victim of a fire which turned most of the space into an unsightly vacant lot. Wellington Management sought to enhance this location by re-developing the site while the City of Minneapolis wanted to bring new development to this important area.

Some Interesting Developments

Ryan Bluhm worked with Pope Architects in designing site improvements that supported Wellington Management’s vision, while working within tight space limitations and rigorous city requirements. The re-developed site included remodeling an existing Family Dollar store, the addition of an Aldi grocery store, additional space for mixed-use development, redesigned parking, and curb and gutter design. Site development also included a unique underground storm water sand trap which collects and filters storm water through the city’s sewer infrastructure.

Giving Back

Completion of this project was on time and on budget. Penn-Lowry Crossing received the 2008 NAIOP Award for Excellence in the Repositioned/Renovated Under 100,000 sq. ft. category, the 2008 Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal’s Best in Real Estate Award in the Retail Development/Redevelopment category, and the 2008 Minnesota Shopping Center Association STARR Award in the Mixed Use category.