Felled by a nasty cold, your blogger missed out on all the fun on Tuesday when developer Alatus LLC held a groundbreaking for its new $70 million project in downtown Minneapolis. Above, Alatus principal Bob Lux offers a few remarks at the event.

Called Latitude 45, the 13-story project will feature 319 luxury apartments, an on-site 6,000-square-foot restaurant developed by hot restauranteur Ryan Burnet (of Bar La Grassa, Burch and Barrio fame), plus other street-level retail.

The project is located at 301 Washington Av. S., a one-time surface parking lot that is skyway connected, and located across from the Milwaukee Depot near the proposed $400 million Downtown East mixed-use development and the new $1 billion Vikings stadium.

Amenities include a private rooftop garden terrace and "urban oasis," a third-floor rooftop dog park and splash pad, a port-cochere entrance, extra-wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and a covered bus stop, penthouse-level club room and private-event space, rooftop pool, yoga space and fitness center, and a heated bike-rider lounge and maintenance area.

City Council member Jacob Frey said, "Latitude 45 is a forward-thinking residence, providing amenities that resonate with and attract young professional talent to the city of Minneapolis. As our new urban neighborhoods develop, Minneapolis needs live-work communities to help it thrive."

The apartment operations are expected to create 34 permanent jobss, with the construction phase creating 480 jobs, according to Alatus.

In addition to Burnet, Alatus has partnered with Doran Construction, ESG Architects, Wells Fargo, Laramar and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which contributed a $472,000 grant to the project.

(Photo provided by Alatus LLC)