Officials celebrate opening of Amber Union apartments
Harrison Mohagen of Buhl Investors. Photo by Lou Michaels.
Falcon Heights leaders and officials with Amber Union celebrated in early December the opening of the 125-unit apartment complex.
The housing project is a redevelopment of the historic TIES building, a former art deco-style office complex, at 1667 Snelling Ave.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Harrison Mohagen of Buhl Investors, said, “Amber Union highlights the very best of adaptive reuse and the power of public-private partnerships. We had amazing partners that helped bring this project to fruition.”
“In particular, this project would not have been possible without the incredible partnership of the city of Falcon Heights.”
Amber Union is rated as affordable for persons at 50% of the area median income, so a household of two people making less than $46,750 per year is eligible to live in the development, Buhl Investors officials said. This is a rare and important distinction because few units in the metro area or across the state meet this threshold — most serve people who earn at least 60% of area median income, they said.
The building, built in 1946 as the Farmer’s Union Grain Terminal Association, underwent a $57 million redevelopment, transitioning the art deco building into quality apartment units with several community amenities. An onsite playground, fully equipped fitness center, community game room and skyways between the buildings are some of the investments to enhance the tenant experience, according to the developer.
Individual apartment units feature historic art deco details, as well as granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances.
Buhl Investors used a mixed of local and state funds to finance redevelopment of the project.
Mohagen of Buhl Investors led the redevelopment. Cushman Wakefield will provide property management services.
Information in this story was provided by representatives for Buhl Investors.
