CW Lofts was recently awarded a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal “Best in Real Estate 2006” award in the category of “Redevelopment Extensive Renovation” for large residential projects (100 or more units).

“We know we have a great project, but there are other great projects out there,” said Mike Brady, a partner in Trio Development Group. “We were hopeful. We are grateful. We think it’s great for the people who purchased here to be validated.”

Brady, along with TDG partners Steve Brown, Jim Norling, and Robb Norling, are quick to credit God for much of their recent success in real estate development. In fact, Brady and Robb Norling, met while attending Hope Community Church in Corcoran.

“We are committed as a partnership to put Jesus first in all we do,” Brady said. “It gets hard, but when you are accountable to Christian partners, not just your own brain or your own flesh, it’s easier to do the right thing.”

Brady, who was in advertising sales at the Minnesota Christian Chronicle from 1981-83, said the Trio partners regularly pray together and ask God for guidance in business dealings.

“The world has a different set of standards as to what is OK business practice,” he said. “You do sometimes have to pick and choose your battles. But what we’ve done is trusted God that he will illuminate those things and guide us.”

Brady also credited the partnership’s application of biblical principles to business deals for a growing respect and good relationships with vendors and others in the local construction industry.


CW Lofts
Originally home to the Cream of Wheat factory, the site was recently revamped into a sleek, welcoming community living space with 124 condominiums, common spaces, offices and parking. Developers and architects on the project worked hard to preserve the building’s original character.

“We considered over 30 buildings before purchasing the former Cream of Wheat factory,” Brady said. “This one had a lot of the items that we believed made for a dynamic community.”

“The first time we walked through this property about two years ago, I was amazed by the beauty of the architecture and what incredible shape it was in,” added Robb Norling. “It was one of the reasons we pursued the project.”

Architect for the renovation, Brian Lubben, formerly of Walsh Bishop Associates, referenced historic photos and specs from the original building in attempts to preserve some of the present good qualities and bring back others lost over the years.

“I think it looks today more like it did when it was first built 80 years ago, and that was our goal,” Lubben said. “We measured our success by how closely we could bring it back to how it originally was.”

Locally renowned architect Walter Wheeler—whose other notable projects include the Fort Snelling Chapel, the Minneapolis Armory and the Mendota Bridge—designed the original CW building. Many first-floor units in CW Lofts feature exposed railroad tracks from the old factory running through living rooms. Residents will also have access to live/work units, underground parking, a public deck, a billiards room and walking paths. The average unit price at CW Lofts is $255,000.

“The building was built 80 years ago. Eighty years from now, we expect CW to still be a thriving community,” Brady said.

Trio Development is planning a Phase II for the CW Lofts site that will add more condos, further amenities, some retail options and “maybe a little surprise,” according to Brady. The group is also building five condos in Costa Rica and developing a mini town concept in the western suburbs of Minneapolis that will include housing, medical facilities, office space and a church.

“As far as our inspiration, we are followers of Jesus … Christians,” Brady said. “We see no difference in our business and personal lives and give Christ credit for our success.”


ACTION POINT:
For more information about CW Lofts, visit www.cwlofts.com. To contact Trio Development, call (612) 623-4444.