Weis Builders began construction on “The Fred,” a resort style living apartment building in Pentagon Park adjacent to the 43-acre Fred Richards Park in Edina, MN. Construction began in fall of 2021 and opened in the summer of 2023. The building houses 408 market-rate dwelling units, 530 indoor and fifty outdoor parking stalls, an indoor pool/spa, fitness center, pickleball/sport courts, golf simulator and more. Tenants will have long views due to the projects U-shape surrounding the courtyard area. The Fred will provide a unique contemporary feel in the park district.
Molin Concrete Products Company partnered with Weis Builders in early 2021 to begin budgeting and provide design assistance for The Fred. The architect had decided to utilize Molin’s precast wall panels to optimize the project schedule and provide a finished product that was installed onsite. By doing this, the contractor would not have to have additional exterior facades installed by other trades after Molin’s precast wall panels were erected. The architect and owners selected thin bricks that could be cast into the exterior face of the insulated precast wall panels. Once project budget and the structural systems were in place, Molin’s project management team worked with Weis Builders, BKV Architects, ERA Structural Engineering (the structural engineer) and with ERA Structural Engineering’s precast division to produce shop drawings/design for the precast products. During this process, Molin’s team finalized precast samples, mock up panels and coordinated with the contractor/design team to ensure the owner had a clear vision of the panel aesthetics.
One of the key advantages of precast construction versus traditional building systems is site logistics. When Molin mobilizes and begins installation, there is a crew of six individuals and the crane. Designated storage areas for scaffolding, pallets, steel, and form materials assume valuable space on tight jobsites. Building systems that incorporate precast create a safer, more organized jobsite, and reduce the amount of necessary labor during precast installation. |