Now Leasing: Wirth on the Woods
On April 30, 2024, the Bryn Mawr community came together to celebrate the grand opening of Wirth on the Woods, a new 55+ housing campus near Theodore Wirth Park. The event celebrated the hard work of five government organizations, project partners, funders and the Bryn Mawr community to help build a multigenerational community centered around two senior living properties: The Theodore and The Eloise. Combined, these properties add 200 units of mixed-income senior housing to a community that formerly had none.
These properties share amenities including an outdoor courtyard, garden and greenhouse, perfect for cultivating a sense of community among the residents. The park-like setting creates an intergenerational community featuring walking trails connected to Theodore Wirth Park, a regional stormwater pond to fix area flooding, and an outdoor classroom and play area developed in partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS).
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proclaimed April 30, 2024, as “Wirth on the Woods Day.” The event also included a special dedication of Wirth on the Woods’ shared greenhouse to former City Council Member Lisa Goodman, who represented the Bryn Mawr community for 26 years and was instrumental in marshalling approvals and funding for the project.
“Throughout the project, we have enjoyed collaborating with the neighborhood, which is eager to see the benefit from this new property for senior residents,” said Lupe Development Vice President Steve Minn. “The amenities, from walking trails and a playground to a greenhouse and storm water management, are fantastic examples of collaboration at many levels of government that we can all be proud of.”
The affordable housing at The Theodore was made possible with the Livable Communities Demonstration funds from Metropolitan Council, as well as loans, grants and funding participation from the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Investors in the project include Great Southern Bank and Raymond James Investments. The market-rate senior housing at The Eloise was privately funded and Great Southern Bank was the senior lender. Frana Companies was the general contractor. The total development cost of the Wirth on the Woods senior project was $52 million.
Wirth on the Woods is the result of master planning between Lupe Development and Swervo Development Corporation. The master plan with Swervo created more than 200 additional market-rate housing units in a combination of lofted units and townhomes called the Pennhurst Collective. A walking trail circumnavigates the nine-acre former telephone pole training site and connects to Theodore Wirth Park. Ecumen, an expert in senior living and services, manages the senior buildings. Greco manages the Pennhurst Collective properties.