Live. Work. Play. Stay!

Live. Work. Play. These are the buzzwords often used to promote the latest and greatest urban, large-scale real estate developments in major cities across North America. But what goes into ensuring these massive, mixed-use ecosystems are truly inviting to residents, businesses, and visitors alike? We’d like to introduce you to the concept of master planning.?

Master planning is a comprehensive approach to real estate development that aims to fulfill a collective vision. It involves input from broader community stakeholders such as local residents, businesses, and government agencies to reimagine space and attract talent. The goal is to build a cohesive and sustainable urban ecosystem. When done properly, the outcome is an injection of energy into a site that brings economic opportunity and improved quality of life to the whole community.

A well-executed master plan maximizes the potential of the site and often preserves open spaces, promotes commerce, and enhances connectivity within the neighborhood. They prioritize sustainability, and they are well-connected via transit. Overall, they provide a general temptation to participate in the community, not just for its residents, but also for prime office tenants, top retailers, and restaurants. In today’s heavily interconnected world, some groups have recognized that there is an opportunity to further elevate the overall experience when bringing a new participant – the traveler – into the mix: Live. Work. Play. Stay!

Sonder’s latest project in Minneapolis, North Loop Green, is a perfect example of this new approach. Developed by Hines, this property is located in the city’s vibrant North Loop Neighborhood, just steps from Target Field, and offers dynamic and unique ways for people to connect, socialize, and work. It is a truly inspired mixed-use destination with a multitude of experiences, including 350,000 square feet of creative office space, 350 luxury residences, 10,000 square feet of food and beverage offerings, and a one-acre public green space known as The Green, which hosts a variety of events that are open to the public throughout the year. Mixed within all of that is a 96-unit Sonder hotel.?

”North Loop Green represents Hines’ continued commitment to the great city of Minneapolis and supports the strong demand for dynamic mixed-use environments that converge residential, hospitality, office and retail,” said Bob Pfefferle, Managing Director for Hines. “This project leverages our expertise in creating placemaking destinations and provides the Minneapolis community with new ways to live, work, stay and enjoy all the city has to offer, acting as a hub of engagement, inspiration, and enjoyment. We sought out Sonder as a hospitality partner for this project because of their commitment to providing a true class A experience for their guests and we look forward to them being an integral part of North Loop Green for many years to come.” ?

North Loop Green, which opened in Spring 2024, has received tremendous feedback from guests who comment on the impeccable location and unparalleled convenience. Whether your stay is for business or pleasure, Sonder North Loop Green is the ultimate hub for work and relaxation. With a wealth of amenities throughout the complex, guests can start their day in a state-of-the-art fitness center or unwind in the sauna. The sleek, modern apartment-hotel units offer the comforts of home, while various dining and retail options provide convenience right at your doorstep.

“The infusion of a hospitality use into these large urban mixed-use projects such as North Loop Green enhances the experience for all others within the ecosystem. For instance, many of our guests are friends or family visiting building residents, and in some cases, we offer the residents preferred rates for these types of stays. Additionally, the high-quality office space in these projects tends to be occupied by large multinational tenants, where people often fly in from abroad for business. In both of these cases, the commute between the parties is reduced to a simple elevator ride,” says Claudio Costantino, Senior Director of Real Estate at Sonder. “The goal is to become a true amenity to the complex.”?

If you want to learn more about how to partner with Sonder in Minneapolis or beyond, reach out to Sonder’s Senior Director of Real Estate Claudio Costantino at [email protected] or Sonder’s Managing Director, Ana C. B. at [email protected].