| There has been a lot of speculation about the fate of | | | | fill a definite need. The Seventh Street neighborhood of |
| the old Schmidt Brewery. Once a bustling brewery, | | | | St. Paul is described as an area with a lot of potential, |
| employing over 400 workers, it has been sitting vacant | | | | and The Brewery Lofts may set the pace for future |
| since 2004. Council Member Dave Thune describes it | | | | developments as well. The Cohen's also plan on |
| as a "symbol of the Seventh Street community. We | | | | incorporating green space and an |
| want to bring life and liveliness back into the | | | | environmentally-friendly design into the project. Many |
| neighborhood". When he heard of the development | | | | challenges exist with the restoration of this unique |
| proposal from Jeff and Craig Cohen, who finalized | | | | structure including the preservation of its caves, |
| their purchase of the 100,000-square-foot, 15-acre | | | | artesian wells and many historical artifacts. |
| complex in January, Dave considered this a welcomed | | | | Jeff Cohen is a nationally renowned Washington |
| opportunity. This project would be similar to the | | | | architect, who is teaming up with his son Craig for this |
| Carleton Artist Lofts on University Avenue in St. Paul. | | | | project. Some of his other noted developments include |
| Their plan is to create an urban village, named Brew | | | | the Waterview at Bayside Portland Maine Luxury |
| Town. Preserving the historic design, they would | | | | Condominiums, and the Maine Lakefront Homes at |
| refurbish the castle-like structure, transforming it into150 | | | | Sanctuary Cove. He enjoys creating buildings that look |
| live-work spaces for artists, a series of retail shops, | | | | like they're part of the neighborhood. In his words "I've |
| offices, additional housing, and eventually the addition of | | | | developed projects with a few residences and others |
| restaurants and a hotel. The project will include | | | | with hundreds," Cohen says. "They all involve the |
| pedestrian-friendly amenities catering to local basic | | | | creation of first-class living space. The buildings I |
| needs such as grocers, cleaners, and theaters. | | | | develop must be something that I would want to live in |
| This $25 million project is designed to preserve this | | | | myself." |
| community icon and revitalize the area. The area | | | | Written on behalf of Alan Olson, specialist in the |
| currently has a thriving arts community, but affordable | | | | Fergus Falls real estate market. |
| housing for artists is hard to come by. This project will | | | | |