Gone is Grandma's Saloon and Grill, a venerable eatery/bar at the "7 Corners" intersection on the West Bank of the University of Minneapolis. The building, once a popular hang out (and watering hole) for U of M students, is being replaced by a 213-unit apartment building with a handful of innovative features that will help the buiding stand out even as thousands of new rental apartments are coming online in Minneapolis.

A partnership between Twin Cities-based Solhem Companies and TE Miller Development said that 7west will feature a wide range of unusual design elements for an apartment building, including organic composting and recycling stations on every floor, an onsite "HOURCAR" and a rain-barrel irrigation system. The developers also consulted a Feng shui expert to determine the building's layout, construction and amenities.

That same partnership recently announced plans to build a 138-unit apartment buiding in the North Loop neighborhood just down the street from Soltva, a $18 million, 100-unit building that was completed in August 2012. Here's a rundown on the details:

  • Project cost: $43.4 million.
  • Contractor: Greiner Construction
  • Architect: Tushie Montgomery Architects
  • Rent prices:
  • Studio: $995 to $1,200
  • 1 bedroom: $1,285 to $1,500
  • 1 bedroom plus den: $1,550 to $1,750
  • 2 bedroom: $1,525 to $2,200
  • For details go to http://liveat7west.com/