Thanksgiving season is one of the busiest times of the year for food banks, and as the pandemic continues to impact more families, food insecurity is steadily skyrocketing across the nation. With service to others as part of United Properties’ core, UP is fortunate to make charitable donations this year in lieu of holiday gifts to several food banks in the communities we serve.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

United Properties supported Second Harvest Heartland, one of the largest hunger-relief organizations serving the Upper Midwest. Second Harvest Heartland has stepped up distribution this year due to the hunger crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus. From emergency food boxes and emergency grocery pop-ups to extra food deliveries, donations help ensure families receive the food and support they need especially during the cold winter months.

“Your gift offers hope and comfort to neighbors who are experiencing unemployment. They feel a sense of relief during these uncertain times after visiting a local drive-through food distribution,” said Allison O’Toole, Second Harvest Heartland CEO.

Because of your support, more of our neighbors across the heartland will be able to access the food they need to thrive. Without you, our work would not be possible. Thank you for your gift,” she added.

Denver, Colorado

Food Bank of the Rockies provides food and supplies to more than 600 hunger-relief programs in Colorado. Since the first wave of the pandemic hit in the spring, their food distribution has significantly increased as more people need food assistance. A new survey shows one in seven Coloradans are struggling with food insecurity and one in five Colorado kids are facing hunger.

United Properties’ donation to Food Bank of the Rockies will help keep food on the tables of those struggling during the pandemic. “Unfortunately, we are seeing an incredible amount of demand at FBR but it is incredible seeing the overwilling amount of support from groups like United Properties to allow us to serve people in need. Thank you for your donation,” said Ryan Good, Food Bank of the Rockies Executive Vice President.

“Thank you for partnering with FBR to help us nourish our neighbors,” noted Mitch Jelniker, Food Bank of the Rockies Corporate Relations Manager. “Your generosity comes at a critical time. Your donation will help us provide 60,000 nutritious meals for families in need. Thank you.”

Austin, Texas

United Properties also partnered with Central Texas Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief charity in Central Texas. With many people reaching out for assistance, Central Texas Food Bank adapted their distribution model for COVID-19 to allow for larger drive-through distributions through the Mobile Food Pantry Program.

The food bank is serving about 340,000 people a month, a 43% increase over previous monthly client numbers due to the pandemic. At the height of pandemic response in May 2020, the food bank served almost 370,000 individuals in one month. There was also a surge in first-time clients – in September they served nearly 13,000 households who had never visited a food bank before.

“Thank you so much for thinking of the Food Bank for this donation. We are so grateful that you wanted to help,” said Amelia Long, Director of Community Engagement. Other ways gifts will be instantly put to use are through CTFB’s summer programs, support for partner agency networks and referrals to community resources.

The tradition of giving back and giving thanks continues at United Properties, enriching and uplifting the local communities where we work and live.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (November 10, 2020) – United Properties announced today that it has closed on the purchase of eight acres of land at 801 Carlson Parkway in Minnetonka. Five acres are slated for a new 55-plus independent living rental community, ThePOINTE Minnetonka; the remaining three acres will be slated for development at a future date.

ThePOINTE Minnetonka marks United Properties’ third location for the senior living brand, offering maintenance-free living with a variety of floor plans, from spacious one-bedroom units to three-bedroom units. The senior living community will have six floors and 186 units. A portion of the units, of various floor plans, will be designated as affordable to meet the needs of the community.

“We chose this location because it allows us to create an oasis for our residents in the existing lush and serene environment while still offering immediate proximity and easy access to the greater Twin Cities metro,” said Rick McKelvey, senior vice president. “The location fulfills our goal to provide beautiful homes in a community that frees residents of many duties of home ownership so they can spend more time doing what they love.”

ThePOINTE Minnetonka will feature quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, underground heated parking and more. The rental fee is all-inclusive (with the exception of electricity), making it an ideal option for seniors looking to budget monthly costs.

The senior community will also feature a variety of lifestyle amenities, such as a state-of-the-art golf simulator, an outdoor pool and hot tub, community gardens, art and fitness studios, an expansive community room and a sky lounge. The location offers easy walking access to Carlson Towers restaurants and businesses, in addition to convenient access to Interstates 394 and 494.

United Properties recently opened its first ThePOINTE location in Roseville and began construction on the second location in Bloomington. Both locations have been received exceptionally well by their communities, and United Properties also expects strong interest in the Minnetonka location.

“We look forward to building on our recent senior living successes with ThePOINTE Minnetonka,” said McKelvey. “We have experienced strong preleasing success at our other locations in Roseville and Bloomington, and we hope to continue that momentum with this new offering.”

Groundbreaking is slated for spring 2021, with occupancy in early 2023. Preleasing will be available when construction begins on the project.

Project partners include ESG Architecture & Design and Weis Builders.

Associated Bank provides $29m construction load for senior living development in Bloomington, MN

Associated Bank has provided a $29 million loan for the construction of a 133-unit senior living development in Bloomington. Dubbed ThePOINTE Bloomington, the independent living community is the second of a two-phase project on a 7.5-acre site. Phase I, currently under construction, is the 118-unit Cherrywood Pointe community that features assisted living and memory care. ThePOINTE will rise five stories. Amenities will include a pickleball court, outdoor pool, clubhouse, community room, fitness center, kid’s playroom, craft room, business center and rooftop deck. United Properties is the developer. Jim Vitt of Associated Bank handled the loan closing.

High above Hennepin Avenue, harnessed construction workers in yellow vests scrambled as a towering United Properties crane hoisted giant ceiling partitions up 17 floors, swung them overhead and inched them into place atop the growing RBC Gateway tower.

The hustle atop the burgeoning tower — one that will be home to a Four Seasons Hotel and permanently alter downtown Minneapolis’ skyline — comes as workers try to reach to the goal of building 22 stories before the end of the year.

The construction site at Hennepin and Washington avenues should reach its full 37 stories by February 2022, said Rick McKelvey, senior vice president of United Properties, the company developing the $433 million project.
After many hurdles and years of delays, the project that broke ground in June 2019 is slated to become Minneapolis’s ninth tallest building.

“We’re excited to be doing this. It’s great to be part of a landmark project,” said McKelvey.

Glass windows are already installed on the first seven floors on the east side, he said, and skyway additions are going up by Nicollet Mall and 3rd Street.

The tower will house the new headquarters of RBC Wealth Management and a 222-room Four Seasons Hotel.

More than 30 full-service condos — called the Four Seasons Private Residences — are planned for the top six floors, with commanding views of the city and the Mississippi River.

About 85% of the high-rise’s office space is already leased.

In addition to RBC, six of the Pohlad Companies — including its United Properties real estate arm, Carousel Motor Group, Pohlad Family Foundation and Pohlad Investment Group — also will move in. United Properties is in discussions to lease the remaining 80,000 square feet of office space to two prospective tenants, McKelvey said.

“Interest in this transformative project continues to be strong from prospective tenants and residents, and our community. And we anticipate continued positive forward momentum,” McKelvey said.

The historic project suffered few delays from the coronavirus pandemic, although the construction site did revamp safety protocols to protect workers, McKelvey said.

The building also has safety features worked into it. Once completed, the building will feature virus-killing air handling systems known as needlepoint bipolar ionization. The tower also will have touchless bathrooms and “Destination Dispatch” elevators that should help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.

RBC Gateway is the largest single-building project undertaken by United Properties, which also recently developed the Nordic office building in the city’s North Loop and is codeveloping the Dayton’s Project office building in the former department store home.

United Properties owns about a 5% stake in the Dayton’s Project. In contrast, it is full-in on the RBC Gateway.

As construction progress mounts, city officials are increasingly upbeat, even as real estate development experts ponder how long the pandemic will last and keep office workers at home.

Even with concerns over coronavirus, “the RBC Gateway project is an exciting development in downtown Minneapolis,” said Hilary Dvorak, principal city planner at Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development. “The city is excited to see another development project being constructed on a former surface parking lot downtown.”

The project — being built by McGough Construction and designed by architects at Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates — joins a flurry of smaller construction projects popping up around Minneapolis, including the new eight-story Thrivent headquarters on Portland Avenue, the six story Sora apartments next door and the new Public Services Building at 504 S. 4th Ave.

Freshly sprouted offices and apartment buildings also dot Portland Avenue, Hennepin Avenue, the Mill City District and Washington Avenue.

RBC should reach its critical 22nd floor by December. It’s a key mechanical and “transition” floor because it will hold separate heating, cooling and water systems for the hotel and condos and “step back” from the thicker footprint of the lower floors.

The slimmer profile of the hotel and condo floors allows guests and condo owners to have more window lit spaces, McKelvey said.

Right now, a sales office for the Four Seasons condos is being readied near 7th Street and Nicollet Mall. Once that opens next year, condo prices will be published, officials said.

The Four Seasons hotel will take up the 23rd through 30th floors and is expected to have the city’s first five-star rating. Condos will be on the 31st through 36th floors, with the top floor reserved for mechanical systems.

The RBC Gateway project is expected to have plenty of amenities, including underground parking, street-level restaurants, a public plaza, an indoor and an outdoor pool.

Downtown boosters are delighted by the high-end development.

“It’s one of my ‘go-to’ talking points about the future of downtown being bright, despite the negative impacts we are seeing this year,” said Minneapolis Downtown Council head Steve Cramer. “Walking around the site is a day brightener to see the construction activity and workers, and the tower rising.”

Cramer called the entire project “pivotal for downtown,” because it landed the Four Seasons, helped retain a major employer in RBC, and added a “graceful linkage” to the central business district from just north of Nicollet.

A plan to redevelop 48 acres along the north Minneapolis riverfront has picked up momentum after it secured $12.5 million from the state to build its centerpiece concert venue.

The transformation of the Upper Harbor Terminal, a decaying and largely unoccupied industrial zone along the Mississippi River, was billed as the top capital priority for the city before the coronavirus pandemic brought major projects to a halt. A community advisory group stopped meeting temporarily and planning and construction milestones were delayed. Now the project has restarted after the Legislature, in a fifth special session, passed a $1.9 billion infrastructure bill that included $12.5 million for the Upper Harbor Terminal. The advisory group has met with increasing frequency in recent weeks, and the city released a draft of a project plan set to go before the City Council in February. “With the information on the bonding bill, that’s going to be able to help give some clarification on the designs of the music venue,” said Council Member Phillipe Cunningham, who represents the area. “But overall, the process is on track.”

“I just know that what we’re going to end up getting is going to be something amazing, that’s really going to be such a cultural icon here in north Minneapolis,” he added.

The $12.5 million from the state was less than the $20 million the city had lobbied for at the beginning of the session. Still, project leaders believe it is enough to help build a concert venue that can hold 7,000 to 10,000 people with a section that can stay open year-round. “I think it’s symbolic to show that this is a statewide significant investment,” said Erik Hansen, the city’s director of economic policy. “It is putting the North Side on the map of importance.”

First Avenue Productions, which is facing an uncertain future posed by the coronavirus pandemic, would own the venue and be responsible for matching the state grant, Hansen said. In response to an interview request, First Avenue CEO Dayna Frank provided a statement that said the match would be “a mix of capital campaign, tax credits and private contribution.” This is the second infusion of bonding money for the project, which received $15 million for basic infrastructure in 2018. The design process for the venue would begin next year, Frank said.

Meanwhile, more details about the Upper Harbor project were included in the coordinated plan draft released this month.

In addition to development partners First Avenue Productions and United Properties, the city is now consulting with Building Blocks, a local nonprofit developer founded by former NBA player Devean George.

The estimated cost for the redevelopment has risen from $200 million to more than $300 million. This includes the concert venue, housing, urban agriculture, manufacturing and nearly 20 acres of park space.

“That back-of-the-envelope estimate is getting more refined,” Hansen said.

Ownership of the several parcels in the Upper Harbor Terminal, as well as assurances that the project would benefit the North Side, were major concerns of an appointed committee that has discussed the plan this year, Hansen said. Members of the committee contacted by the Star Tribune did not return requests for comment.

According to the coordinated plan, the city would own the land and lease it to developers to build housing and other commercial structures. The property where the concert venue would go would be sold to First Avenue and a community entity, who would then lease it back to the city, Hansen said.

Money from the ground leases and a $3 ticket fee at the venue would be used to subsidize commercial spaces, fund arts programming and support “anti-displacement efforts” in the North Side.

A large park that extends across the riverfront would be accessible from Dowling Avenue and owned by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

The community advisory committee will review the coordinated plan Wednesday. The city will solicit feedback on the plan starting in December, according to a recently released timeline. It is expected to go before the City Council on Feb. 26. Still, questions about the project persist on the North Side, said Colleen O’Connor Toberman, the river corridor director for Friends of the Mississippi River. People had raised concerns about noise from the venue and traffic to the site, she said, both of which were expected to be addressed in an environmental review that would be released after the council votes on the coordinated plan.

“It’s disturbing that the environmental review will be done after they vote on the plan,” O’Connor Toberman said.

Friends of the Mississippi River is funding a new campaign to raise awareness of the project and push for a different redevelopment.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (October 20, 2020) – As RBC Gateway takes shape and rises above the historic corner of Washington and Hennepin Avenues in downtown Minneapolis, the iconic building — the first such high-rise project in downtown Minneapolis in more than two decades — is making good on its promise to revitalize the landmark location.

When completed in 2022, the 37-story tower will be home to RBC Wealth Management’s U.S. headquarters; Minneapolis’ first five-star hotel, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Minneapolis; as well as a public plaza and street-level dining.

According to Rick McKelvey, senior vice president, United Properties, construction is on schedule, despite the challenges of the global pandemic. He noted that contractors are placing concrete on the 17th floor, and the building is expected to rise an additional five levels by year-end. Contractors also are installing exterior windows on the lower levels of the building, providing a glimpse of what the tower will look like once completed. Skyways connecting RBC Gateway at both Third Street and Nicollet Mall have been installed and will be completed next spring. Landscaping on the public plaza will begin spring 2021.

“As RBC Gateway claims its space in the downtown skyline, we are optimistic about the future of the project and how it will shape Minneapolis for many generations to come,” said McKelvey. “Interest in this transformative project continues to be strong from prospective tenants and residents, and our community, and we anticipate continued positive forward momentum.”

The office portion of RBC Gateway is already 85% preleased, with tenants including RBC Wealth Management, for which the tower is named, and the Pohlad Companies — including United Properties, Carousel Motor Group, Pohlad Family Foundation and Pohlad Investment Group. Approximately 80,000 sq. ft. of office space is still available for leasing. Details are available at www.RBCGatewayMpls.com.

In addition to the Twin Cities’ first five-star hotel, 33 Four Seasons Private Residences will occupy the top six floors of the tower. “We look forward to building a community of residences that will have their own exclusive bird’s-eye view above the beautiful downtown Minneapolis skyline, as well as access to all of the amenities that only Four Seasons can offer,” McKelvey said.

Key benefits to the city of Minneapolis from the project include a new public plaza for all to enjoy, proceeds of $10.4 million from the sale of the land to support affordable housing programs, and significant annual revenue to the city once the project is complete.

“Together with our owners, the Pohlad family, United Properties remains committed to the health and well-being of downtown Minneapolis,” McKelvey said. “We believe strongly that RBC Gateway will enhance downtown as a vibrant place to live, work and play.”

In an effort to foster greater diversity and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry, NAIOP Colorado partnered with Denver Public Schools CareerConnect for a summer internship program. This new program was designed to provide enrichment opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and introduce them to a possible future career path.

When COVID-19 hit and the program was in jeopardy, NAIOP Colorado President Tim Schlichting was determined not to abandon the kids enrolled in the program and began making plans to conduct the internships remotely.

At United Properties – Denver, Kevin Kelley, a former NAIOP Colorado president, was onboard and agreed that United Properties would participate as one of three CRE companies. United Properties mentored two interns out of the 10-15 high school students who participated.

“Students sat in on meetings, met with African American CRE leaders, and had the opportunity to learn more about what goes into urban planning,” Kelley commented.

The students were busy throughout the six-week program, which had two stages. First, the students developed and presented a career or business plan. In the second stage, they developed and presented a site proposal for a half-acre lot that is currently under development. Students learned about zoning and developed site use and marketing plans.

“The students were totally engaged and really enjoyed the experience,” said Kelley. “This gave them a greater sense of what CRE can do to transform a community.”

Kelley was proud that United Properties participated in the inaugural program and applauded NAIOP Colorado for making it happen despite the pandemic. “It’s our responsibility to the next generation to share our expertise so they’re aware of these career opportunities. We can overcome whatever challenges are thrown our way in order to keep moving forward.”

He added that the program was successful and is likely to continue, possibly at the college level through the University of Colorado or University of Denver, in addition to the high school program.

MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 27, 2020) — United Properties announced today that it has broken ground on ThePOINTE Bloomington, a 55-plus independent living rental community, located at 5601 American Blvd. W. ThePOINTE Bloomington will have five stories and 133 units; it will be available for occupancy in spring 2022.

“Our second ThePOINTE development is in a great location to meet the needs of active seniors in Bloomington,” said Mark Nelson, executive vice president, residential development, United Properties. “As we see demand for senior living continue to grow, we’re confident ThePOINTE’s many amenities will draw strong interest.” United Properties’ first ThePOINTE location recently opened in Roseville.

The new senior community will offer maintenance-free living for people 55-plus, with a variety of apartment sizes and floor plans. Units include one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus den, and three-bedroom floor plans. The rental fee structure is all-inclusive (with the exception of electricity), making it ideal for seniors looking to budget their monthly costs.

ThePOINTE Bloomington will feature stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, underground heated parking and many lifestyle amenities, including a clubhouse, outdoor pool, art studio, fitness studio, workshop and outdoor kitchen. It is positioned between Normandale Lake and Hyland Lake Park Reserve, and the location is close to State Highway 100 and Interstate 494 for easy access to amenities such as the airport, medical facilities and shopping.

ThePOINTE Bloomington will also feature an enclosed connection to the nearby Cherrywood Pointe, a United Properties-owned senior apartment community offering independent living, assisted living, memory care and enhanced care. This connection will offer ThePOINTE residents access to additional amenities such as Cherrywood Pointe’s pub and dining room.

Pre-leasing has already begun. The leasing office is located at 8331 Norman Center Drive in Bloomington and can be reached at (952) 835-2000. Visit www.yourpointe.com for more information.

The project was designed by Kaas Wilson Architects, with interior design by Banko Design. The community will be constructed by Weis Builders and managed by Great Lakes Management.

At United Properties, we’re about more than just bricks and mortar; we strive to create deep roots within the communities we call home. Whether we are revitalizing a historic neighborhood, transforming a site or renovating a building, or collaborating with community partners, we consistently strive to make a positive impact in all that we do.

Leaving Lasting Legacies through Tree Planting

Last month, United Properties partnered with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Tree Trust to plant more than 80 trees in two neighborhoods in St. Paul, one at the Duluth and Case Recreation Center and the other at Johnson Parkway.

Due to the pandemic, members from TNC and Tree Trust physically planted the trees, while United Properties funded the project, and the Forestry Unit of St. Paul’s Parks and Recreation Department supported the event as well. The trees (19 different species) were chosen for their ability to endure climate change, provide wildlife habitat, and benefit people. Some of the benefits of trees include alleviating heat, storing carbon to help offset carbon emissions, improving air and water quality, and reducing the risk of flooding. Lasting legacies, indeed!

The Nature Conservancy, one of United Properties’ key community-relations partners, has been developing a science-based mapping tool to identify sites within the Twin Cities metro area most in need of tree-planting. As part of our planning process, we worked with TNC to select our planting site from options identified by the mapping tool. Read more about The Nature Conservancy’s approach using the mapping tool in a recent story in the Star Tribune.

A Community UPLift

Planting trees is just one way United Properties works to leave lasting legacies in our communities. Even amid a pandemic, we strive to make a difference where we can. The tree planting was part of our recent launch of UPLift, a platform for sharing our charitable giving and corporate social responsibility initiatives that “plant the seeds of positive change” in this case, literally!

Be sure to keep up with our UPLift progress by following us on our social media channels, where we share photos and blogs detailing our community relations work. You can also follow The Nature Conservancy on Twitter and Facebook and Tree Trust on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on the important work they’re doing here in the Twin Cities.

MINNEAPOLIS (June 10, 2020) – In response to the murder of George Floyd and the deeply ingrained systemic racism in our country, the Pohlad Family announced today that it is committing $25 million to racial justice, bringing to bear resources of the Pohlad Family Foundation, Pohlad family members, and Pohlad Companies in a two-phased, community-based approach.

“Black people have experienced oppression and racism for far too long in this country,” said Bill Pohlad, president of the Pohlad Family Foundation. “We condemn racism in all its forms, and we are firmly committed to helping to enact meaningful change. We know this will take time and effort, and we are committed to this work beyond this seminal moment in our country’s history.”

In the short term, the Pohlads are focused on providing immediate relief and rebuilding organizations in impacted communities. In addition to encouraging employee volunteerism and matching employee donations across Pohlad Companies, the Pohlad Family Foundation will support grassroots organizations doing this important work. The Pohlad organization also plans to work with local government, philanthropic organizations and the business community to help rebuild businesses that have been destroyed, with the goal of ensuring the continued cultural diversity and affordability of the local areas.

Over the long term, the Pohlad family will focus on impacting structural change through the Foundation. They will partner with other equally committed organizations to help change the systems that create racial inequities and marginalize people of color.

The commitment of $25 million is in addition to the ongoing work of the Pohlad Family Foundation in the areas of homelessness and housing stability.

“As we undertake these additional efforts in racial justice, we will take the time to listen and learn from the community first. We believe that people are experts in their own lives, and to make lasting change, we must learn from their lived experience,” said Susan Bass Roberts, vice president and executive director, Pohlad Family Foundation. “Our goal is to work in community to identify and support solutions that reflect the input of those closest to the issue and address their greatest needs.”

“While we are determined to help affect change in our community, we also know that any real change must start from within,” added Pohlad. “And so, we acknowledge that we have our own work to do and are working to strengthen diversity and inclusion in our organization.”

About Pohlad Family Foundation

The Pohlad Family Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life and opportunities for those most in need in the Twin Cities region. Our strategic focus is to improve housing stability with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness among families and youth in the Twin Cities. We use four strategies: 1) catch youth and families before they experience homelessness; 2) fund housing affordability solutions; 3) address systemic change; and 4) create awareness and galvanize support. To learn more about the Foundation’s history and focus, visit pohladfoundation.org.

About Pohlad Companies

Founded by Carl R. Pohlad in the 1950s, the Pohlad Companies had its start in the banking and soft-drink bottling industries. Now managed by his three sons Jim, Robert and Bill, with third generation family members actively involved, the organization has four primary business groups. Operating Companies includes ownership and management of firms in diverse industries such as commercial real estate mortgage banking (NorthMarq), automobiles (Carousel Motor Group) and automation (PaR Systems); Real Estate includes commercial real estate development and investment activities, principally through United Properties LLC.; Sports and Entertainment comprises investments in the sports and entertainment industries including the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball Club; and Investments includes direct and non-control investments in privately held companies and in financial instruments of varying duration and type. The Pohlad family and the Pohlad Companies have a deep commitment to the communities where they live and work, demonstrated through the Pohlad Family Foundation, along with the giving and engagement initiatives of its operating businesses and employees. To learn more, visit pohladcompanies.com.