The Duffey
RJM was hired to redevelop the historic CJ Duffey Paper Co building and convert three existing buildings to 188 apartments, retail space, and underground parking.
Located in Minneapolis’s North Loop warehouse district, The Duffey offers 188 studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments, along with 24,000 square feet of retail space. The Duffey includes a best-in-class amenity package, including an expansive lobby with a co-working and a food and beverage concept, fitness center, and rooftop deck.
The property had been vacant for 15 years, in part due to the challenge of the large floorplan and trying to maximize exterior views for all apartments. Working collaboratively with CEDARst and BKV, we were able to resolve this challenge by cutting a light well into the center of the building, providing natural light and exterior views
to all the interior-facing apartments. Another major challenge was figuring out how to construct adequate parking within and below the existing buildings. To maximize parking levels within the limited space, we utilized an efficient and cutting-edge ComSlab and delta beam system.
The project received historic tax credits to help fund the conversion of the three warehouses, each with different construction types, to retain the historical character. This required our team to adhere to all SHPO regulations.
PROJECT SUMMARY
CLIENT LOCATION MARKET
PROJECT TYPE
SQUARE FEET
ARCHITECT
CEDARst
Minneapolis, MN
Multifamily
Historical Adaptive Reuse/Mixed Use
188 units & 24,000 sf retail space
BKV Group
The Duffey 2.0
Work is underway on the $171 million second phase of a project that’s bringing hundreds of apartments and new retail to the historic former C.J. Duffey Paper Co. buildings.
After nearly two years of extensive preconstruction work and the recent grand opening of The Duffey in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood, RJM has started a $171 million second development, currently named Duffey 2.0.
The multifamily development consists of both adaptive re-use and ground-up components. Together, the 550,000 sq. ft. project will have 358 multifamily units and 42,000 sq. ft. of retail space and is scheduled for completion in late 2023. Units will consist of studio, one, two, and three bedroom options ranging from 500- 1,500 square feet.
Given its landmark status and location, the project went through approval by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and the National Park Service, as well as received historic tax credits. Similar to Duffey Phase 1, the adaptive reuse portion of Duffey 2.0 requires complex strategies to accommodate apartment units, commercial space, a basement parking ramp, plus amenities. Duffey 2.0’s amenities will include a rooftop lounge and pool, spa and wellness facility, fitness center, bowling alley, movie room, golf simulator, pickleball court that doubles as an ice rink, and coworking spaces. The exisitng iconic skyway which connects the two buildings predates the Minneapolis skyway system and will under go a restoration and modernization process.
PROJECT SUMMARY
CLIENT LOCATION
MARKET
PROJECT TYPE
SQUARE FEET
ARCHITECT
CEDARst
Minneapolis, MN
Multifamily
Historical Adaptive Reuse/Mixed Use
358 units & 42,000 sf
retail space
BKV Group
Strutwear Building
The Strutwear Project entails the conversion of the historic Strutwear Knitting Building, a 1920’s Art Deco structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places into a 171-unit multi-family housing complex located adjacent to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The building is deeply rooted in the women’s movement following an 8- month strike in the mid 1930s at the former hosiery factory due to Strutwear’s nearly 900 female workers being excluded from the union’s member drive. According to the National Register, the movement marked a turning point in Minneapolis’ labor movement and was a triumphant victory for women.
As with many older buildings, the floor plates and past “underdocumented” modifications make construction more challenging
as while the new drawings and floor plans will tell us one thing, the existing building often dictates something else. The complex itself will entail spreading the 171 units over six floors with the seventh floor serving as the building’s amenities deck. The building’s main entry level will serve as the commons and gathering area while the two below grade levels will serve as future retail/restaurant opportunities.
Due to the constraints of the existing structure, not all units will have windows to the outside, as the interior units will all face inwards the enclosed atrium in the middle of the building where natural light will come in from a new skylight installation. This project also entails upgrading 4 elevators as well as a 5th elevator that has capacity to serve the building’s tower section (Floors 8-10).
PROJECT SUMMARY
A former hosier factory and site of a historic labor dispute, is being repurposed from current office space to provide more affordable housing units for Minneapolis residents.
ABOUT & CONTACT
With our headquarters in Golden Valley, RJM Construction LLC was established in 1997, and has more than 140 staff members specializing in multifamily, community, healthcare, and corporate projects. With an annual construction volume of approximately $250 million, RJM is one of the largest contractors in Minnesota offering general contracting, construction management, design/ build, and pre-construction services.
There are many construction companies in the market today, but what sets RJM apart from the crowd is their responsiveness. There is always someone to provide solutions and discuss potential challenges. We had a true partner.”
CBRE GROUP