F&C Top Projects: Wangstad Commons
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Wangstad Commons was selected as one of Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects of 2024, recognizing Minnesota’s top design and construction projects for the year.
An independent panel of judges selected 52 honorees for the annual program. Projects are judged on their degree of difficulty, creativity in design, innovative construction techniques, cooperation among contractors and management, and sustainability efforts. Judges noted the construction industry continued to experience challenges in 2024, from ongoing labor shortages to supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty requiring flexibility and commitment to get projects successfully completed.
Wangstad Commons
6101 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Wangstad Commons is a brand new 54-unit affordable housing complex in Brooklyn Center adjacent to the City’s Wangstad Park. JO Companies developed the four city-owned parcels into a 4-story, 100% affordable high-quality apartment building. From the genesis, JO Companies mission has been for their developments such as Wangstad Commons to change the narrative on what affordable housing should look and feel like in the Twin Cities.
Through design and construction Wangstad Commons provides market rate level homes and amenities at rents that are affordable and serve the community. The development offers one, two, three and four-bedroom units, and one third of the units are reserved for people living with disabilities or exiting homelessness and need a fresh start. The building is al, so SB2030 energy compliant through Minnesota’s B3 Program.
Wangstad Commons is where luxury meets affordability. It is thoughtfully designed to offer many unique amenities that are standard in market rate developments, but not often featured in affordable housing. These include both underground and surface parking, a kids’ room with space to play, fitness room, coworking space, onsite management, supportive services, a generously sized, beautifully finished community room that opens to a patio with grill stations and a firepit. These additional features help contribute to the overall health of residents. In addition, each unit features balconies, laundry, granite countertops, quality millwork and solid core doors.
The Wangstad Commons design and development team implemented numerous sustainable building practices. This went above and beyond the minimums required by funding sources. Most notably the project includes a 33.6-kilowatt solar system and follows the SB2030 energy efficiency standards. The SB2030 program requires evaluation of whole building energy performance. Additionally, the project participated in Enterprise Green Communities Criteria (EGCC) and Energy Design Assistance program administered by the Willdan Group.
Wangstad Commons notably finished ahead of construction schedule, and under budget during the 4th quarter of 2024 during a time of uncertainty with rising inflation, high-interests, and limited resources within our vertical. Wangstad Commons is nearly 100% occupied two months ahead of lease-up.
PROJECT TEAM
- Owner & Developer: JO Companies
- General Contractor: Doran Companies
- Architect & Interior Designer: Pope Design Group
- Property Manager: Halverson & Blaiser Group
- Structural Engineer: ERA Structural Engineering
- MEP Engineer: Emanuelson-Podas, Inc.
- Civil Engineer & Landscape: WSB
- Service Provider: Simpson Housing
See the rest of this year’s honorees on the Finance & Commerce’s announcement.
This year’s Top Project will be featured in a special magazine and in a series of stories and photos in the Finance & Commerce daily newspaper and on the F&C website starting in July 2024.
See more images of Wangstad Commons on our project page.