Lafayette Yards St. Paul, Minnesota

Lafayette Yards, a collaboration between Coen + Partners and several internationally recognized architects, revitalizes a formerly marginalized landscape in St. Paul by extending the city fabric of the Lowertown neighborhood. The neighborhood expansion will occupy a remnant historic rail yard, a former stop for commercial trains traveling from both east and south along the bend of the Mississippi River. The master plan calls for the introduction of three high-rise, multi-use towers adjacent to the St. Paul Farmer’s Market, an extension of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line, and a minor league ballpark and professional soccer stadium.

The remnant patterns of the rail yards and the city grid influence the masterplan; a dense infill is proposed to the west of the development, adjacent to the existing neighborhood. This transition corridor to the east of the proposed ballpark will connect large festival grounds to the neighborhood. Lafayette Yards represents an understanding of Midwest urban economics that looks to residential density to create a 24 hour 7 day neighborhood.

• Collaboration: Julie Snow Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Dean Johnson/Wingfield Corporation.