More Than Another Apartment Building

Today’s multifamily developments are expected to deliver a lot. Residents want thoughtfully designed living spaces, access to nature, wellness-focused amenities, and a sense of community. Developers are looking for ways to create distinctive projects that stand out in competitive markets. Contractors are challenged to keep projects moving despite labor shortages, material lead times, and evolving project requirements.

The Finch in Edina, Minnesota, is a good example of what can happen when those goals align.

Completed in 2025, the seven-story luxury apartment community brings together sustainability, architectural character, and high-quality amenities in a location that connects residents directly to Fred Richards Park and the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. The project also played an important role in the continued transformation of Edina’s Southdale District, helping create a more connected, walkable neighborhood.

From the beginning, The Finch was designed to be more than a place to live. Developed by Solhem Companies, the project emphasizes community, wellness, and access to the outdoors. Residents enjoy hospitality-inspired amenities while benefiting from a location that puts parks, trails, and everyday conveniences within easy reach.

The development also builds upon the momentum of its neighboring sister property, The Fred. Together, the two communities help create a cohesive park-side residential destination that encourages people to spend more time outside, connect with their surroundings, and enjoy the lifestyle benefits of a thoughtfully planned neighborhood.

Those goals influenced not only the design of the building, but also the construction approach used to bring this award-winning project to life.

A Strong Foundation for an Ambitious Project

At The Finch, precast concrete played a significant role in creating the podium structure, which serves as the building’s foundation. Molin supplied nearly 40,000 square feet of architectural and structural wall panels, nearly 120,000 square feet of hollowcore plank, along with precast beams, columns, and solid slabs.

The use of precast helped create a durable base for the development while supporting the project’s timeline and architectural goals. It also provided the design team with the flexibility to incorporate striking architectural finishes at the pedestrian level, helping establish the character of the building from the moment residents and visitors arrive.

Keeping the Schedule Moving

One of the most impressive aspects of The Finch was not just what was built, but how quickly it came together. Architectural wall panels arrived on site with Endicott Manganese Ironspot Velour thin brick and buff-colored etched formliner finishes already incorporated into the panels. This reduced field labor while helping ensure consistent quality across the project.

The speed of installation was equally important. More than 24,000 square feet of wall panels were erected in just eight working days, and the elevator shaft was installed in less than a day by Molin’s Field Operations. Those efficiencies helped maintain momentum throughout construction and contributed to the project being delivered approximately two months ahead of schedule.

“Momentum Design Group worked closely with Molin’s engineering team to maximize the efficiency of precast concrete to both erect the frame and enclose the podium in record time.  This was one of the major factors in allowing Ironmark Building Company to deliver the building months ahead of schedule.” – Craig Hartman, Architect, Principal at Momentum Design Group

The Real Story: Collaboration

Like most large multifamily projects, The Finch evolved throughout design and construction. Drawing revisions, mechanical coordination updates, finish selections, and design changes all required careful planning and communication. Maintaining the schedule meant making decisions early, coordinating often, and keeping everyone aligned as the project progressed. The collaboration between Ironmark Building Company, Momentum Design Group, Ericksen Roed & Associates, and Molin Concrete Products helped the project team navigate those challenges while keeping work moving forward. That level of partnership ultimately proved just as valuable as any building material used on the project.

What Can Multifamily Teams Learn from The Finch?

The Finch demonstrates that developers and design teams do not necessarily have to choose between speed, sustainability, and architectural quality. When project teams align early, embrace collaboration, and utilize construction solutions that support both aesthetics and efficiency, it becomes possible to achieve all three.

Today, The Finch stands as an award-winning addition to Edina’s Southdale District and a successful example of how thoughtful planning and integrated construction strategies can help bring ambitious multifamily developments to life. More importantly, it shows what is possible when a project is designed not only around buildings, but around the people who will ultimately call it home.

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