Project Overview
BKBM provided structural engineering services for Elevate at Southwest Station Apartments, a new 222-unit, mixed-use building in Eden Prairie, MN. The development offers a blend of market-rate and affordable housing, along with vibrant retail space, parking, and resident amenities.
Project Highlights
- Integrated Mixed-Use Design:
- 13,000 SF of ground-level retail combined with at-grade and one level of underground parking.
- Partial intermediate parking level (1.5), situated between level 1 and the podium.
- Five stories of conventional wood-framed construction above the podium, with five units featuring a mezzanine/6th level.
- Structural Systems:
- Building supported by concrete foundation walls and driven steel piles; portions of the at-grade slab constructed as a pile-supported structural slab on grade.
- Post-tensioned concrete floors at grade, level 1.5, and podium, supporting efficient transfer to upper wood-framed residential levels.
- Recessed plaza patio and spa overlook Purgatory Creek, providing scenic amenity space.
- Engineering Collaboration & Value:
- Careful planning and sequencing for placement of building pour strip on post-tensioned levels.
- Deep foundation design coordinated with site utilities and overall site constraints.
- Collaboration with architects and the contractor on brick support and parapet detailing, balancing cost, constructability, and the project’s aesthetic vision.
- Innovative Solutions:
- BKBM’s team leveraged expertise in post-tensioned concrete design and multi-story wood systems to minimize material costs while maintaining constructability and design intent.
- Unique solutions developed for challenges in column layouts, slab steps, parapets, and connection details ensured streamlined construction and enduring value.
Engineering Solutions
BKBM delivered a robust, efficient structural system tailored for a complex mixed-use development. The team’s coordinated approach addressed deep foundation challenges, efficient post-tensioned and wood framing, and the integration of retail, parking, and residential amenities on a constrained site.
Results & Impact
Elevate at Southwest Station Apartments provides high-quality, accessible urban living with modern design, community amenities, and vibrant retail. BKBM’s structural engineering expertise delivered cost-effective solutions, constructability, and architectural excellence—enhancing Eden Prairie’s housing and retail landscape.