2025 NAIOP Awards: Significant Properties in Minnesota
The Minnesota Chapter of NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, has selected 15 projects for special recognition. Announcements of these winning projects were made Sept. 24 during the 42nd Annual Awards of Excellence event at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley.
Eight of the 15 awards were won by suburban projects. Three of the suburban projects—in Brooklyn Park, Cottage Grove, and Golden Valley—were for industrial uses. Two Wayzata projects were winners, the Wayzata Gateway office building and the Panoway on Wayzata Bay.
Four projects from outside the Twin Cities metro area won NAIOP awards. Two winning projects are located in northern Minnesota in Two Harbors and Grand Rapids. A children’s museum was a winning project from St. Cloud in central Minnesota. A medical facility in the southern Minnesota city of Windom took home a NAIOP award.
Two projects in St. Paul were selected as winners, while one is located in Minneapolis.
For all categories, the judges evaluated the buildings on project development, function and design, architectural integrity, market feasibility, sustainable attributes, and unique project challenges.
Windom Area Health Medical Building
Category: Medical/Medical Office
Construction Manager: Kraus-Anderson
Owner: Windom Area Health
The new medical building sits at the rear of the hospital building. It ties into the hospital with black metal panels and copper window accents yet has its own distinct identity. Windom Area Health recognized the growing needs of the region and partnered with Sanford Health to develop the clinic expansion, which is owned by the city of Windom and funded by Windom Area Health. Sanford Health occupies the first floor, and the second floor is dedicated to specialty clinics of Windom Area Health. The third floor provides flexibility for growth, and the fourth floor houses a Wellness Center.
Entry submitted by Pope Design Group
Marvella 2190
Category: Senior Living
Electrical Engineer: Emanuelson-Podas, Inc.
Owner: Presbyterian Homes & Services
Located in St. Paul’s Highland Bridge development, Marvella 2190 is the second phase of the Marvella senior living community. Spanning 276,064 square feet, the building features 125 independent living units designed to support active, connected aging in place. Set within an intergenerational neighborhood that includes trails, retail, dining, and green space, Marvella 2190 blends timeless architecture with modern design elements. Phase 2 builds on the vision of Presbyterian Homes to offer beautifully designed residences that promote vitality, connection, and well-being for older adults, while taking advantage of the many adjacent community amenities.
Entry submitted by Ryan Companies
Hohenstein’s
Category: Industrial—Bulk Distribution
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Architect/Interior Designer: Mohagen Hansen
Created for a wholesale beer distributor, this facility is a seamless fusion of office space, efficient vehicle loading zones, and climate-controlled product storage. In redefining industrial design, this project blended functionality and bold aesthetics. The exterior consists of precast concrete, wood-look cement board, and sleek metal panels, which create a contemporary and polished identity for the structure. To elevate employee well-being and offer a welcoming and human-scale entry, the northeast corner has expansive glass to flood the interior with natural light. Energy-efficient materials, ample daylight, and a solar-ready roof represent a commitment to sustainability.
Entry submitted by Mohagen Hansen Architecture|Interiors
L&M Fleet Supply
Category: Industrial Build-to-Suit
The 203,000-square-foot industrial facility is the headquarters as well as the company’s first large-scale distribution center. The building’s design integrates L&M’s brand identity with modern functionality. Red and gray accents highlight key program areas while clerestory windows and thoughtful finishes elevate the office space. Features include an air-conditioned warehouse and multipurpose break room. The project was constructed on an expedited timeline.
Entry submitted by Ryan Companies
Golden Valley Business Center
Category: Light Industrial—Low Finish
Developer: United Properties
This project involved redeveloping a former suburban office headquarters. The end product is a cutting-edge industrial hub that spans 399,000 square feet across two buildings. It offers flexible spaces, EV charging stations, and connectivity to public transportation. This industrial property features high clear heights, expansive truck courts, and enhanced glass lines. The rezoning process was challenging, but the city council ultimately supported the project that generates substantial tax revenue. Site remediation efforts included addressing contaminated soils and asbestos products. This facility helps to meet the metro’s demand for high-quality industrial space.
Entry submitted by United Properties
Tesla 610 Junction West
Category: Light Industrial—High Finish
Developer: United Properties
This 126,000-square-foot industrial facility was custom-built to meet Tesla’s expanding manufacturing needs. The project integrates advanced manufacturing capabilities with sustainable features such as EV charging stations, which reflect Tesla’s commitment to environmental stewardship and cutting-edge technology. Rezoning challenges were overcome through a strategic collaboration, ultimately allowing Tesla to transition from a small site to the new facility. The privately financed facility is fully occupied, which is boosting the local economy and addressing the growing demand for electric vehicles. The project’s architectural approach is rooted in functionality and modern design.
Entry submitted by United Properties
Panoway on Wayzata Bay
Category: Special Purpose
This project enables people to walk the length of the downtown Wayzata’s Lake Minnetonka lakefront. The overarching goal was to create a vibrant public space that enhances access to the waterfront while prioritizing pedestrian safety, accessibility, and opportunities for community gathering. Developed through a robust and inclusive community engagement process, the finished project complements the city’s most valuable natural resource. The people who engaged in the project’s collaborative effort were engineers, economists, ecologists, philanthropists, architects, landscape architects, contractors, city staff, elected officials, and residents of the Wayzata community.
Entry submitted by ERA Structural Engineering
Breakwall Bottle Shoppe
Category: Hospitality
When city officials in Two Harbors contemplated building a new municipal liquor store, they wanted to create a structure that would appeal to residents and tourists. The final building incorporates the region’s natural and industrial heritage, including the Lake Superior shoreline, the historic breakwater, and the community’s maritime and rail legacy. Stone, wood, and steel were selected to represent the ruggedness of the North Shore, but the liquor store also features a modern, clean aesthetic. It has large glass panels to bring in natural light.
Entry submitted by Rochon Corporation
Harbourline
Category: Multi-Family Low-Rise (1-4 Stories)
The 62-unit apartment community offers deeply affordable housing. The project reclaims a neglected industrial site as part of the Farwell-on-Water district. Every space was crafted to foster pride, comfort, and connection. Bike storage, a dog area, and durable yet warm finishes reflect a lifestyle-first approach. The project features materials and forms that reference the nearby Mississippi River and limestone bluffs, with a contextual palette that sets the building apart from typical affordable housing. Vibrant colors draw from the art and craft traditions of people who’ve lived on Harriet Island.
Entry submitted by Buhl Investors
The Ansel Residences
Category: Multi-Family Mid-Rise (5-7 Stories)
This 176-unit, 282,500-square-foot luxury apartment building is located at the northeast corner of Rice Street and Interstate 694. It has a two-level underground garage that’s 90,000 square feet and contains 274 parking stalls. This housing development includes 9,000 square feet for amenities, including a spa, pool, firepit, fitness center, and sauna. The building structure has five levels of wood framing on upper floors that are supported on a post-tensioned concrete podium structure. The building was reduced from six to five stories to win regulatory approval.
Entry submitted by ERA Structural Engineering
Great River Children’s Museum
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, New Use
Architect: GLTArchitects
Through this project, St. Cloud becomes home to the second-largest children’s museum in Minnesota. The redevelopment entailed taking three vacant buildings and creating a vibrant, inclusive space where learning, imagination, and play intersect. The museum revitalizes downtown St. Cloud, and it serves as a regional anchor for family engagement, early childhood education, and cultural exploration. There was early-stage collaboration between exhibit designers and engineers to ensure floor loads, mechanical supports, and ceiling heights could accommodate complex and interactive elements. Spaces were designed to ensure visibility for adult supervisors.
Entry submitted by Savills Minneapolis
FORCE America
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, Tenant Improvement—Industrial
This employee-owned business engineers, manufactures, and distributes hydraulic systems and components to customers nationwide. The company consolidated workers from three buildings into a new 80,000-square-foot headquarters, allowing streamlined processes and improved connections among workers. Amenities include a maker’s space, fitness room, work café, and outdoor patio. The entrance’s custom perforated aluminum panels—inspired by the company’s hydraulic manifolds—represent a synthesis of brand identity and architectural expression.
Entry submitted by Pope Design Group
Northstar
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, Tenant Improvement
Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer: Dunham
This project reimagines a historic landmark as a vibrant mixed-use development, blending preservation with modern design. The renovation involved turning 200,000 square feet into a hospitality-focused space. Major features include public dining and retail areas, a full-service commercial kitchen, and multiple move-in ready workspaces. In this downtown Minneapolis structure, amenities include an interior putting course with golf simulators, a 3,000-square-foot social venue, and an 8,000-square-foot roof deck. Located on floors seven through nine, The Skyboxes feature fully furnished office suites and work lounges serviced by a luxury hospitality team.
Entry submitted by Gardner Builders
Designing Earth Contracting
Category: Office Build-to-Suit
This grading, excavation, and utility contractor had outgrown its workspace, so it proceeded to build a 20,000-square-foot building to serve as an office, shop, and training center. The project also includes an outdoor deck and elevated entertainment environment. The business wanted to provide a functional and beautiful office for employees but also an inviting hosting space for clients and guests. The project combines thermally efficient precast panel construction with other Class A finishes, including brick and glass.
Entry submitted by R.J. Ryan Construction
Wayzata Gateway Office Building
Category: Office Multi-Tenant
A primary design objective of this redevelopment project was the transformation into a mixed-use community at a prominent location. The project has improved the site and enhanced the area by replacing an aging office building, a drive-through bank, and extensive parking lot with a small campus of complementary buildings. A streamlined color palette and traditional durable masonry materials were chosen. The owner worked with neighbors and the city to create a property providing accessibility and walkability to the public and a vibrant business setting for the commercial tenants.
Entry submitted by Rochon Corporation
Nominees
Category: Medical/Medical Office
- HealthPartners Apple Valley Multi-Specialty Clinic
- Blue Lakes Eye Care
- Astera Health CentraCare Coborn Cancer Center
- Midwest ENT—Lakeville
Category: Senior Living
Category: Industrial Build-to-Suit
- Heritage Millwork Headquarters
- CenterPoint Energy Resources
- Minneapolis Glass 610 Junction West
- Aquatix® by Landscape Structures Inc.’s Expansion
Category: Light Industrial—Low Finish
Category: Light Industrial—High Finish
Category: Industrial—Bulk Distribution
- Columbia Business Center
- MTL Trucking
Category: Multi-Family Low-Rise (1-4 Stories)
Category: Multi-Family Mid-Rise (5-7 Stories)
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, New Use
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, Tenant Improvement
Category: Repositioned/Renovated, Tenant Improvement—Industrial
- The Waters
- Lennar Homes
Category: Special Purpose
NAIOP President’s Award
NAIOP Minnesota selected the late James (Jim) Nelson for the 2025 President’s Award. Nelson was chosen in recognition of his exceptional service and inspirational leadership to the commercial real estate industry.
Selected from nominations submitted by fellow NAIOP members, the President’s Award is the highest individual honor and celebrates Nelson’s enduring legacy and profound impact that he made on those around him.
Jim Nelson began his distinguished career in commercial real estate in 1965 when he joined his family’s business, the Eberhardt Company. He became the president in 1976 and CEO in 1990, ultimately selling the family brokerage and property management businesses in the early 1990s and later the mortgage banking business in 1999.
Throughout that period, Nelson held numerous influential positions, including president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and chairman of the Fannie Mae National Advisory Council. He also was an active member of the Urban Land Institute’s Public-Private Partnership Council.
His dedication to civic and industry leadership was evident in his service on the boards of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, the Minnesota Chapter of NAIOP, the University of St Thomas Real Estate Advisory Board, the Edina Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Courage Center, and Lakewood Cemetery.
After selling his family mortgage business in 1999, Nelson continued to shape the Minnesota commercial real estate landscape as principal of Eberhardt Advisory, LLC in Minneapolis. Through this firm, he provided strategic planning and implementation services, specializing in complex public-private development projects.
His expertise played a pivotal role in landmark initiatives involving the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, and the Minneapolis Community Development Agency—including the transformative Midtown Exchange project. Nelson also contributed to cultural and civic advancements through his work with the Minnesota Orchestral Association and the expansion of the Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden.
These and many other projects throughout Nelson’s remarkable 50-year commitment to the industry remain an enduring source of inspiration to all who knew him and to the industry he helped shape.
Marc Nanne, president of the NAIOP Minnesota chapter, said, “Jim has been a quiet leading voice to me, as he has been for so many others. He acted as a mentor and consummate, tactful facilitator and negotiator as my first employer at Eberhardt in the mid-80s, and continued to do so along my career path. Jim is a very deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”
NAIOP Minnesota said it wanted to posthumously honor Nelson and his achievements through the President’s Award.
