SAINT PAUL, MINN. — Locally based Ryan Cos. has opened The Albert and adjacent Civic Square within Highland Bridge, the 122-acre redevelopment of the former Ford Motor Co. Twin Cities Assembly Plant site in St. Paul. The Albert is part of a $68 million mixed-use phase that also includes retail buildings, a daycare center and structured parking.
The east side of The Albert incorporates a reconstructed portion of the historic 1920s assembly plant facade, originally designed by architect Albert Kahn, for whom The Albert is named. Its reconstruction required the installation of approximately 75 salvaged stone pieces, some weighing up to 13,000 pounds. Civic Square features two of these frieze panels that now serve as a centerpiece of the plaza.
This phase was developed in partnership with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for the City of Saint Paul. The Albert’s 97 apartments are market-rate. Highland Bridge’s broader master plan calls for 20 percent of the community’s housing to be rent-restricted at various income levels including 30 percent of area median income (AMI), 50 percent AMI or 60 percent AMI.
Current plans for Highland Bridge call for approximately 3,100 housing units, 150,000 square feet of retail and more than 55 acres of parks, recreation areas, open space and waterways. Individual buildings began opening in 2022 and are expected to continue coming online over a period of more than 15 years.