Parkway Flats

Parkway Flats is a six-unit affordable housing project that is part of the Parkway Residences neighborhood development that has created a key shift in updated housing for St. Louis Park. The location near the City Lakes, Uptown, and the SWLRT creates a desirable and walkable neighborhood that provides for mixed-income communities and brings dignity to all residents.

Parkway Flats contributes new affordable housing to an attractive mixed-income area in a wholistic design that is both beautiful and high performing. Each of the six two-bedroom units feature all the benefits of a townhome – small building size and windows with views on three sides for each unit. The materiality of the project corresponds to the surrounding development that uses a dark brick base with composite metal panel and stucco above. The wood look panels emphasize the circulation core that divides the two sides of residential units and connects to the rear parking lot.

The emphasis placed on sustainable housing is also important to the longevity of the residents and the owners. The building achieves near net zero energy performance using the Zero Energy Ready Home criteria developed by the Department of Energy. The strategies that were utilized included high-performance insulation, triple paned windows with extra low U-factors, LED lighting, energy-efficient electric furnaces, energy star appliances, and a solar roof system.

The project is a great example of a housing typology that increases the longevity of residents in rental communities and benefits both residents and owners of affordable housing with sustainable features. From the attractive building and quiet neighborhood to the increased unit sizes and sustainable features, residents are more likely to stay in a place they enjoy living in.  And the residents who stay will have the desire to invest in their community because they will be able to see the impact of their work.

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