North Loop Green in Minneapolis, MN, is a 36-story multi-use building with 354 luxury rental units, 96 short-term rental units, 17,000 sq ft of ground-level retail and dining space, 14 stories of office space, a rooftop bar, underground parking, and a one-acre park – all directly across the street from Target Field. This structure adds to the already bustling area of North Loop, providing the neighborhood with a variety of desired urban luxury amenities and shared experiences.
The prefabricated architectural panels provided by Wells are horizontally orientated, have a red-brown etched finish, and include reveals, creating a consistent pattern on the high-rise exterior facade. With a 7-inch depth, each panel frames a series of windows that are recessed into the cladding. By optimizing the panel design, each window avoids a cold spot gap, improving insulation, and energy-efficiency, while reducing condensation build-up.
When bringing a multi-family residential building to life, prefabricated building components bring value in several ways. Precast panels are durable, cost-effective, and provide better sound insulation than
total glass finishes. They can be quickly erected, which is ideal for crowded urban areas with limited space. Additionally, prefabricated components are manufactured off-site and delivered as needed, reducing the need for on-site storage.
Building a quality structure requires skilled experts. During construction, concrete slabs were added for future balcony patios, and exterior lifts were installed to transport workers. As subcontractors worked on the lower levels, the Wells field crew carefully ensured that precast panels did not collide with the patios or lifts to avoid damage. Some panels had to be maneuvered between the lifts with only an inch of space on each side. The crew effectively communicated with the crane operator to
prevent installation errors.
Constructing a large building in the middle of a bustling urban area requires strict planning and a demanding schedule. The general contractor provided two large tower cranes for the project, and to ensure North Loop Green remained on schedule, the Wells team worked a unique shift from mid-afternoon to nearly 10 pm each working day while the other trades worked from dawn until mid-afternoon. This two-shift schedule allowed the cranes to be utilized all day for the diverse needs of each project partner.
To prevent on-site issues, Wells manufacturing facilities used pre-built frames that simulated building dimensions, adjustable for various heights and widths. Prefabricated panels were tested for fit and
connection to ensure no interference during installation. This process guaranteed that once the panels reached the North Loop job site, installation went smoothly, quality was ensured, and the project was kept on schedule. |