The Development Tracker Saint Paul

04/27/2026

Restaurant Aubergine is now open on Cathedral Hill. 🎉🍽️🥂

A French-inspired bistro has landed along Selby Avenue, led by husband-and-wife team Bjorn and Megan Jacobse. After time in kitchens across Montreal, Portland, and the Twin Cities, the duo is bringing that experience back to Cathedral Hill with a concept that leans both refined and approachable.

The menu pulls from classic French technique with a locally driven edge, featuring dishes like pâte en croûte, foie gras torchon, duck with anchoïade, and a côte de bœuf built for sharing. Desserts and drinks carry that same energy, from a tight cocktail list to a curated by-the-glass wine program, adding to the steady momentum along Selby Avenue.

Restaurant Aubergine is located at 525 Selby Avenue and is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 10:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 4:30 to 11:00 p.m., with the restaurant closed on Sundays and Mondays.

04/07/2026

[SAINT PAUL] This block has been sitting quiet for decades… but that might be changing.

There’s a new plan on the table that would bring 300 affordable housing units to a site along Robert Street, just south of downtown. If you’ve driven through here, you know how underutilized it’s been.

What’s interesting is how things are starting to line up. A new affordable housing building was just completed across the street, and a few more projects have come online nearby in recent years.

Put it all together and you start to see the shift. This part of the West Side is picking up, and this feels like the next piece. What used to be more industrial is gradually becoming more residential.

Read TDT’s full Project Brief to learn more. Link in bio.

04/01/2026

[SAINT PAUL] Marvella isn’t slowing down at Highland Bridge.

What started as a single phase with two connected buildings quickly grew into a second standalone building, and now a third is on the table.

As a senior living community offering a range of care options, Marvella has seen strong demand, continuing to shape its expansion within Highland Bridge.

The next phase would bring a new four-story senior housing building near Woodlawn and Bohland, reconnecting to the original campus with a skyway spanning Woodlawn Avenue, supported by a curved structural frame.

This site wasn’t always destined for senior housing, but strong demand at Marvella has continued to shape its direction, turning it into one of the most consistent growth stories at Highland Bridge.

Full project details at the link in bio.

02/24/2026

Grocery is coming back to downtown.

Aldi has filed permits to remodel the former Lunds & Byerlys space at The Penfield on 10th Street East. The storefront has been vacant for nearly a year, and renovation work is scheduled to begin in mid-March as the space transitions to Aldi’s streamlined format.

For downtown residents, grocery access has been a noticeable gap. That’s set to change this summer.

More details are available at the link in our bio.

03/24/2025

Afton Park Development is planning a new six-story mixed-use project at the corner of Grand Avenue and Victoria Street in St. Paul’s Summit Hill neighborhood.

The proposal would redevelop the existing Victoria Crossing East complex, two surface parking lots, and a small commercial building into a new development featuring market-rate housing, restaurant space, and street-level retail. The site was recently rezoned, and construction could begin as early as 2026.

Click the link below to learn more about this project.
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Afton Park Development has submitted plans for a six-story mixed-use building at the northeast corner of Grand Avenue and Victoria Street in St. Paul.

02/05/2024

St. Paul’s Plaza del Sol Building to set to undergo an extensive renovation. 🔨

Located at 990 Payne Ave, Plaza Del Sol is slated for a substantial $10 million renovation project that will bring new life to the historic building that was constructed nearly a century ago.

This renovation initiative aims to breathe new life into the once-vacant two-story commercial structure, ushering in a wave of positive change for the neighborhood. Among the planned enhancements are inviting outdoor seating areas, a diverse array of restaurants and food vendors, and a state-of-the-art 24-hour commercial kitchen and incubator space.

The second floor will also undergo a comprehensive transformation to accommodate a versatile wedding and event venue, alongside essential amenities such as space for the Latino Economic Development Center and community classrooms.

Work on the transformation of the Plaza Del Sol building is anticipated to be begin in later this month and be complete in 2025.
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02/03/2024

Downtown St. Paul. There’s a new spot to indulge your Minnesotan foodie heart at. 🖤

Nestled just across the street from Xcel Energy Center in the newly completed Courtyard by Marriott, is Smorgie’s. The new establishment is a perfect spot for delicious food and beverages before an event, a stroll through downtown, or an evening along W. 7th.

Smorgie’s plans to be more than just a restaurant, but more so an experience. Whether you’re rallying for a concert or winding down after a hockey game, Smorgie’s will be your place to be.

Forget fancy schmancy dishes—Smorgie’s is all about comfort food that hits the spot. From classic Tater-Tot hotdish to mouthwatering Swedish meatballs, their menu is a delicious journey down memory lane.

But here’s the best part: you can be part of the action too. Got a family recipe that’s too good not to share? Smorgie’s wants to hear about it. Who knows, your Grandma’s famous apple pie might just become the talk of the town.

is located at 150 Smith Avenue N in Downtown St. Paul and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m
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02/20/2023

Talk about a transformation 😍

It’s been one year since work was completed on “Fitz Flats” in Downtown St. Paul and boy does the building look stunning.

Plans were announced in 2020 for the restoration and renovation of the historic building formerly known as the “Viking Apartments.”

Located at the corner of Wabasha and Seventh, the four-story building was originally constructed in 1890 as the “Wabasha Hotel.” The building’s architectural style is Queen Anne Victorian and is the last remaining building in Downtown St. Paul featuring the architectural style.

The building is now home to 30 studio apartments and four one-bedroom apartments along with ground floor commercial space that is anticipated to become home to a restaurant. 20 percent of the residential units are income-restricted for low-income residents.

CCI Properties is responsible for the restoration and redevelopment and is also the property manager of Fitz Flats which is located at 5 Seventh Street W.
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01/19/2023

Minnesota’s largest private university has unveiled plans for a new $175 million arena.

The University of St. Thomas plans to construct the project within its Highland Park campus. The new arena would be built on site within the south athletic campus that today consists of surface parking lots and a few academic and residential buildings. A large donation of $75 million has been given to the university by Lee and Penny Anderson in order to help make the new arena come to fruition.

To learn more about the plans for the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, click the link below.
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A $75 million donation from Lee and Penny Anderson will help make the dream of having an on-campus arena come to life.

05/25/2022

A modern steakhouse is set to open later this summer in the Lowertown neighborhood.

Noyes & Cutler will open in the former Public Kitchen + Bar space located on the ground floor of the historic, nearly 135-year-old, Noyes Brothers & Cutler building. Helming the kitchen will be Justin Sutherland, who will serve as Culinary Director, and Chef Aaron Cave, who will serve as Executive Chef.

To learn more about Noyes & Cutler, visit our website.
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Noyes & Cutler will open in the former Public Kitchen + Bar space located on the ground floor of the historic, nearly 135-year-old, Noyes Brothers & Cutler building.