Minnesota Real Estate Journal

Staff Writer REJournals.com

CSM Corp. of Minneapolis has broken ground on its latest development: a mixed-use retail/senior housing development along Highway 55 in Plymouth called The Shops at Plymouth Creek.

The Shops will feature what CSM calls "a balance of large and small retail stores, restaurants and a senior housing development."

CSM says the 200,000 square-foot center, located at the intersection of Highway 55 and Vicksburg Lane, will feature "extensive public spaces, park benches, walking trails, fountains and plenty of green space surrounding the aesthetic architecture." It's designed as a "destination" center with distinctive storefronts and also has a senior housing complex included in the design.

John Gelderman, CSM's director of development, says The Shops at Plymouth Creek "has taken the concept of shopping centers to the next level with the incorporation of a large civic area for events and the senior housing complex. CSM has worked closely with the city of Plymouth to develop a space which would offer residents more than a shopping center and be central to the community."

The development will be anchored by a 134,000 square foot Lowe's Home Improvement store, the second in the Twin Cities. Lowe's is expected to open in January. Leases have also been signed by Michael's Arts & Crafts, Walgreens, Chin's Asia Fresh, Dunn Bros., Pot Belly Sandwich Works, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina, M&I Bank, Jamba Juice, T-Mobile and Super Cuts, all of which are to open in Spring 2006.

The senior housing complex will feature 75 to 95 affordable housing units.