
Cuningham Group, an architectural firm based in Minneapolis, recently announced the completion of Rafter, a 283-unit, luxury residential building in the trendy Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood.
Cuningham was hired by Mortenson Development in cooperation with U.S. Bank to design the 26-story, 407,530-square-foot project. In addition to the residential component, the building also includes 6,000 square feet of retail. The project was named in honor of local wildlife that are indigenous to the area, but the building was conceived with upscale human residents in mind.
“Those who live in and frequent the area know its historic buildings, exceptional dining, and flourishing art scene—as well as the ‘rafters’ of wild turkeys that call it home,” said Jeff Schoeneck, studio leader, Cuningham Group. “Every choice, from each element of the façade design to the interior, to the property name—everything reflects the eclectic and unique attributes of this neighborhood.”

The design goal as envisioned by the development team focused on blending the building into the fabric of the existing neighborhood, which includes nearby grain elevators used by General Mills. Mixing up the materials on the façade, which includes charcoal-colored concrete and brick was all part of the plan.
“One significant strategy was the use of paneling to create a distinct look that fulfilled the developer’s request for a varied and active facade while keeping costs to a minimum,” says Jeremiah Johnson, lead designer, Cuningham.
Photographs, paintings, and sculptures by local artists are placed throughout Rafter’s shared spaces. The project team hired two artists-in-residence, offering each a free year’s lease in exchange for their art. The unit mix in the building includes studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment floorplans, including penthouse options. Access to a seven-story, 279-space attached parking structure is also part of the deal.
Building amenities include a makers room, a fitness center, co-working, a dog washing station, a club room, and a sundeck. Unit interiors offer quartz countertops, tile backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, and soft-close drawers in the kitchen. Wood plank flooring is standard along with balconies, USB chargers, electric key entry, and built-in closet systems.