Sherman, Mortenson and newcomer Saturday Properties bid for Guthrie Liner Parcel

Three Twin Cities developers are vying for the chance to build on the Guthrie Liner Parcel, a thin strip of land facing Washington Avenue in the bustling east downtown neighborhood.

M.A. Mortenson Co., Sherman Associates and Saturday Properties LLC -- a new company established by Brent Rogers, formerly of Greco Development -- all responded to the City of Minneapolis' request for proposals, which were due Wednesday. The three, recognizing the possibility of the site that sits just one block from the Guthrie Theatre and Mill Ruins Park, will now compete to win the favor of city officials.

All three are proposing brand-new hotel concepts, and a mix of office or retail on the 24,419-square-foot site.

Mortenson, a national developer with its headquarters in Golden Valley, has put together a robust development team for its 9-story build, including a 188-room Hyatt Centric hotel. The brand new hotel line is Hyatt's latest lifestyle concept that is more playful, and likely geared toward a younger client base, than its traditional brands.

Notably, Mortenson's plan includes 15,000 square feet of office and conference space for the American Academy of Neurology, which is headquartered next door (and that Mortenson built in 2012). Mortenson's arrangement with AAN includes up to 15,000 additional square feet of expansion space should AAN need it.

The team includes ESG Architects, Hyatt Centric, Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Culinaire and Shea, Inc. -- restaurant designers for Spoon and Stable, Union, Brasserie Zentral and Butcher & The Boar.

Sherman is a prolific developer in the neighborhood with another project currently being planned just kitty-corner from 800 Washington at the Thresher Square site. The firm has also already begun site prep for the next phase of its housing project, called Encore, on S. 2nd Street across from Gold Medal Park.

The company's plans for the 800 Washington Av. S. site include a 9-story, 140-room hotel and a 25,000-square-foot Pinstripes -- a bowling, bocce ball, restaurant and bar concept. It's hospitality partner is Kimpton Hotel, which are upper-scale, full-service boutique hotels. The Grand Hotel Minneapolis is a Kimpton property. Sherman's proposal includes more than 15,700 square feet of office space that would serve as the new headquarters for Sherman Associates, currently located across Washington Avenue in the Old Spaghetti Factory building.

"We would consider moving our office headquarters, but we know there are many neighborhood tenants who are looking for space, including American Academy of Neurology, and we could offer that to lease that floor," Kuechle said.

Brent Rogers, founder of Saturday Properties, has partnered with architect Minneapolis-based BKV Group, Aimbridge Hospitality and Hopkins-based Frana Companies. Saturday's proposal includes a six-story, 166-room, limited service hotel. The new brand is from Westin and is called Element.

"It is focused on wellness and green construction," Rogers said. "There would also be 10,500 square feet of ground-level retail. We envision two restaurants and a neighborhood service retailer."