Construction is in the air. Just a year after the BlueStone Lofts on Woodland Avenue were completed, architects and owners are adding to the development. BlueStone Commons has seen many changes in the last year, including new living spaces and a marketplace. Now, this area can expect many more additions in the years to come.
The BlueStone Commons renovation began in 2012 when discussions about building a residential area close to campus were brought to life. Mark Lambert, the fundamental developer of BlueStone Commons, said he saw this project as something big.
“I saw it as a great opportunity to build something fun,” Lambert said. “But most importantly, I saw this as something the Duluth community needed.”
The BlueStone Commons project exists in three phases. Phase one is the finished living space that we see today — the lofts where UMD students and Duluth residents alike live. Phase two is the addition of another living area — BlueStone Flats.
BlueStone Flats will include one- and two-person living units, as compared to the three- and four-person units in the current BlueStone Lofts. The flats will include about 140 rooms and will have space for about 220 residents.
The final plan of the BlueStone Flats will be decided by the end of the year. Construction of phase two is expected to begin March 2015 and conclude March 2016. The BlueStone Flats will feature a skyway from the BlueStone Lofts, underground parking, a cyber café lounge, an exercise room and perhaps the most exciting aspect of the project according to Lambert — an indoor pool and hot tub. The flats will also allow pets, so there will be a pet-grooming shop in the building.
The same designers that built the lofts will be building the flats. The BlueStone Flats architecture will be similar in appearance and design to the current BlueStone Lofts.
Phase three is the retail space which is already started and underway. Popular businesses such as Chilly Billy’s, Starbucks and Qdoba occupy space there already. In the spring, BlueStone Commons can expect three more storefronts.
“This coming spring we will have a Members Cooperative Credit Union, a Diamond Nails and a Jimmy Johns,” Lambert said.
Phase three is expected to have an array of restaurants and shops, but will not be completed for a few more years.
“I think this whole project is at least halfway done, maybe 51 percent done,” Lambert said. “We are over the hill, but there is still a lot to do.”
Lambert expects three to five more years of construction before BlueStone Commons is completed.
BY AISLING DOHENY Staff Reporter