At first glance, Corsa Apartments appears to be a thoughtfully designed, well-built, mixed-use development in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
And that it is!
The five-story building is located near Highways 100 and 7 and offers 250 multifamily units, 7,714 square feet of retail space, six live/work units and a three-story above ground parking ramp.
But the unassuming structure belies the significant human and environmental benefits its location, features and amenities boast.
[Learn more about our internal environmental risk expertise.]
Despite these challenges, our team saw an opportunity. The 3.7-acre property is adjacent to Bass Creek Park and walking distance from the planned Beltline Boulevard light rail station, yoga studios, health clubs, restaurants, grocery stores and bike-share stations. It also provides easy access to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes with 1,555 acres of public land.
Today, Corsa is a boon to St. Louis Park's economy. In fact, Corsa won a 2024 ReScape Award for Economic Impact from Minnesota Brownfields, a nonprofit that promotes the efficient cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated land. The economic impact award specifically recognizes projects that create or retain permanent jobs, increase the tax base, attract private investment and/or are catalysts for neighborhood and community revitalization. Corsa is projected to deliver a $1 million tax base increase, create 58 jobs, increase spending at local businesses and propel additional community growth.
Among its criteria, Fitwel certification requires walkability, including easy access to recreation, healthy food options and public transportation. With its chosen location, Corsa delivers across the board.
Corsa also offers a wide range of on-site amenities that support and encourage healthy living, including:
In partnership with Eco Achievers, a green building certification consultancy in Chicago, our team chose to pursue National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification. NGBS certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building achieves high performance in the areas of site design and development; resource, water and energy efficiency; indoor environmental quality; and operation and maintenance.
The list of sustainable products, features and systems at Corsa is extensive. It's so extensive, in fact, that we surpassed our goal of Bronze certification and earned Silver. Some especially impactful features are:
“Corsa is by far our most sustainable wood-framed residential development in Minnesota to date," said Eric enthusiastically. “What an honor to be a part of a project that's not only having a tremendous impact today but that will continue to benefit the community for many, many years to come!"
And that it is!
The five-story building is located near Highways 100 and 7 and offers 250 multifamily units, 7,714 square feet of retail space, six live/work units and a three-story above ground parking ramp.
But the unassuming structure belies the significant human and environmental benefits its location, features and amenities boast.
Location, Location, Location: From Brownfield to Economic Boon
For Corsa, our developers chose a site that presented some initial challenges. Deemed a brownfield, the property and existing warehouse contained hazardous materials and contamination in the soil and water table. To overcome this, 600 tons of dirt were excavated and replaced during the site cleanup. During construction, months of dewatering took place, and an advanced carbon filtration system was installed to ensure no contaminated water went into the storm systems. In addition, a vapor mitigation system was installed under the entire inhabited footprint to ensure any traces of contaminated vapors would not make it into occupant living areas.[Learn more about our internal environmental risk expertise.]
Despite these challenges, our team saw an opportunity. The 3.7-acre property is adjacent to Bass Creek Park and walking distance from the planned Beltline Boulevard light rail station, yoga studios, health clubs, restaurants, grocery stores and bike-share stations. It also provides easy access to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes with 1,555 acres of public land.
Today, Corsa is a boon to St. Louis Park's economy. In fact, Corsa won a 2024 ReScape Award for Economic Impact from Minnesota Brownfields, a nonprofit that promotes the efficient cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated land. The economic impact award specifically recognizes projects that create or retain permanent jobs, increase the tax base, attract private investment and/or are catalysts for neighborhood and community revitalization. Corsa is projected to deliver a $1 million tax base increase, create 58 jobs, increase spending at local businesses and propel additional community growth.
Fitwel Certification Delivers Health & Wellness Benefits for Residents
From the outset, our team, with encouragement from our joint venture partner, was determined to achieve Fitwel certification. Through its certification programs and more than 55 evidence-based design and operational strategies, Fitwel aims to create a future where all buildings and communities strengthen health and wellbeing.Among its criteria, Fitwel certification requires walkability, including easy access to recreation, healthy food options and public transportation. With its chosen location, Corsa delivers across the board.
Corsa also offers a wide range of on-site amenities that support and encourage healthy living, including:
- individual yoga studios on three floors
- an oversized fitness center
- an outdoor pickleball court
- a resort-style pool
- a dog run
- dedicated bike storage
- open-air courtyards
- health, wellness and fitness programs
- water filling stations
Point-of-decision motivational signs also encourage residents to make healthy choices, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or spending time outdoors in one of the courtyards or neighborhood parks.
“It's really rewarding for Corsa to earn Fitwel certification," said Eric Ryan, Senior Project Manager. “It means that Corsa is not just a place to live, but it's a place to live better. Far too many of us live sedentary lifestyles and limit our interactions with our neighbors and our community, yet we know how important being active and engaged is to our mental and physical health. Corsa is like an open invitation for residents to live better."
Silver NGBS Certification Supports Green Building Policy
Recognizing the significant impact the built environment can have on the natural environment, the city of St. Louis Park requires all new TIF-funded developments to comply with its Green Building Policy, which prioritizes enhancing “economic opportunity and community wellbeing while protecting and restoring the natural environment."In partnership with Eco Achievers, a green building certification consultancy in Chicago, our team chose to pursue National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification. NGBS certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building achieves high performance in the areas of site design and development; resource, water and energy efficiency; indoor environmental quality; and operation and maintenance.
The list of sustainable products, features and systems at Corsa is extensive. It's so extensive, in fact, that we surpassed our goal of Bronze certification and earned Silver. Some especially impactful features are:
- high-efficiency Magic Pak HVAC units to reduce carbon emissions, 192 of which are all-electric to allow supply from alternative energy solutions
- common area lighting control and automation features that maximize daylighting
- low-flow plumbing fixtures that conserve water in all units and common areas
- covered parking with 37 electric vehicle charging stations and future provisions for 36 more
- rooftop solar panel array to reduce overall electrical usage (and its related costs)
- enhanced commissioning and energy metering to ensure the building continues to perform as it is supposed to
A New Benchmark in Sustainability
We take a lot of pride in being good stewards of the communities we serve, always striving to protect and preserve both human and environmental health. Fortunately, as Corsa demonstrates, we have the great pleasure of partnering with owners, municipalities and industry experts who share this value and empower us to develop, design and construct projects that truly make a difference.“Corsa is by far our most sustainable wood-framed residential development in Minnesota to date," said Eric enthusiastically. “What an honor to be a part of a project that's not only having a tremendous impact today but that will continue to benefit the community for many, many years to come!"